gianfranco frattini

Gianfranco Frattini (1926–2004) was a pivotal Italian architect and designer, renowned for his significant contributions to the Italian design movement of the late 1950s and 1960s. A graduate of Politecnico di Milano, Frattini blended architecture with industrial design, creating iconic furniture and lighting that address both aesthetic and functional demands.

Frattini’s designs often feature expert craftsmanship and innovative use of materials, especially wood, forged through his collaboration with master craftsman Pierluigi Ghianda. His work spans prestigious collaborations with leading manufacturers such as Cassina, Artemide, Knoll, Bernini, and Lema, producing timeless pieces including the historic Boalum lamp designed with Livio Castiglioni.

His product portfolio extends beyond interiors, with glassware for Progetti held in the Museum of Modern Art’s permanent collection and lighting celebrated by the Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum. Frattini’s creations balance elegance and practicality, reflecting his architectural rigor and deep understanding of materiality, making his furniture and lighting designs enduring classics in contemporary interiors worldwide.