Piero Lissoni studied Architecture at the Politecnico di Milano and on graduating in 1985, he began collaborating as designer and Art Director with furniture manufacturers Boffi, Living Divani and Porro. In 1986, together with Nicoletta Canesi, Piero Lissoni founded “Studio Lissoni”, which later became “Lissoni Associati”, and in 1996 they created Graph.x to develop graphics projects. The work of the studio includes architecture, graphic and industrial design projects, ranging from furniture, accessories, kitchens, bathroom and lighting fixtures to corporate identity, with advertising, catalogues and packaging. Interior design projects include hotels, showrooms, trade stands, private houses, shops and yachts.
The studio currently employs over 70 people to include architects, designers and graphic designers and creates solutions for clients such as Alessi, Boffi, Cappellini, Cassina, Flos/Antares, Fritz Hansen, Glas Italia, Kartell, Knoll International, Lema, Living Divani, Poltrona Frau, Porro, Tecno, Thonet and Wella. Incursions into the fashion world involve store design and collaboration with Italian brands such as Allegri, Benetton, Piazza Sempione, Santandrea tailoring, Serapian and the American designer Elie Tahari.
INTERVIEW
What is design in your life? What does design mean for you?
Our design comes from our guts not from our heart.
Please describe the changes in design in the last twenty years?
We designers have modified the taste of the public towards interior design: I believe that Ikea owes us big. A designer without a company behind is nothing, is just a designer without products. But what would really be a company without designers? I am very grateful to companies that have taken risks with me.
Which designers/ architects have influenced your work the most?
I have grown inside a very special tradition, inside such a high level of creativity with Castiglioni, Magistretti, Mangiarotti, Sottsass, Albini, but I like Charles and Ray Eames work, Mies van der Rohe, Le Corbusier or the scandinavian design of the ’50 and many others.
When beginning a project, do you usually sketch your ideas on paper or do you use your P.C. from start to finish?
I only sketch on paper my ideas. The use of the computer is for technical drawings.
Do you believe that architecture style must find ways in which to integrate itself into its environment, or do you believe that this is not always essential?
The world is not asking only for function but for emotional and special feeling qualities. Our profession should involve responsability, because it moves a lot of money, because it involves a lot of people and because it has a great impact with its environment.
In your opinion, could a modern building become a tourist attraction?
If it is true for architecture of the past like churches or the Eiffel tower, why it wouldn’t be the same for contemporary architecture…
If you were not an Architect, which other profession would you have chosen?
Probably ski instructor but I cannot think of myself without being an architect and a designer and a graphic designer.
