Alessandro Mendini was born in Milan in 1931. Through his work as an architect, designer, journalist, theorist and publisher, Mendini helped establish the Italian design sensibility on a global scale with a particular focus on neo-modern, avant-garde design as well as the crossover between art, design and architecture.
Mendini’s influential work spanned the arenas of graphics, furniture, interiors, architecture, stage design, writing and painting. He graduated from the Polytechnic University of Milan in 1959, and he began his career at the studio of artist-designer Marcello Nizzoli. He went on to become the publisher of the popular magazines Casabella (1970–76), Modo and Domus (each 1979–85).
In 1979, Mendini joined Ettore Sottsass and Michele de Lucchi as a partner at Studio Alchimia, a harbinger of the Memphis Group before he cofounded Domus Academy in 1982. In 1989, he and his brother Francesco established their architectural practice, Atelier Mendini, in Milan, where he worked until his death in February 2019. In recognition of his outstanding body of work, Mendini was awarded the Compasso d’Oro twice, in 1979 and 1981. He was also honored by the Architectural League of New York, made Chevalier des Arts et Lettres in France, and, in 2014, he was awarded the European Prize for Architecture.
Mendini’s work is included in the permanent collections of the Metropolitan Museum and the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Centre Pompidou in Paris, among others.
Find vintage Alessandro Mendini chairs, vases, table lamps and other furniture and decorative objects on 1stDibs.
(Biography provided by STUDIO CADMIUM)
Postmodern Animal Vintage Side Table Sirfo Alessandro Mendini Zanotta Edizione
By Alessandro Mendini, Zanotta
Located in Vienna, AT
Post-Modern vintage side table sirfo goose table from cast aluminum in silver color with yellow beak by Alessando Mendini for Zanotta edizione 1986, Italy....
Aluminum
Post Modern Golden Metal Ash Vintage Side Table Sergio Terzani Italy 1985
By Sergio Terzani
Located in Vienna, AT
Post modern golden metal vintage side table or table with maple top by Sergio Terzani and Jean Crochet and Scandicchi Italy 1985. A stunning side table with an adjustable plate, from...
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ceramic Side Table by Paf Milano, Italy, 1970s
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid Century Modern vintage side table from ceramic and glass in butter cream color tone by Paf Italy. Consists of four ceramic ivory colored ribbed columns, ...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Vintage Glass Metal Dining Table Osvaldo Borsani Tecno, Italy
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid-Century Modern vintage dining table, which was designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy, 1963. A timeless design icon, which will never be out of time. The base with curved l...
Metal
Modernist Vintage Metal Glass Sofa Table Francois Monnet, circa 1970, France
By François Monnet 1
Located in Vienna, AT
Modernist vintage coffee table or sofa table made from stainless steel and clear glass designed by Francois Monnet, circa 1970, France. A beautiful coffee table with structured meta...
Stainless Steel
Modernist Vintage Steel Glass Coffee Table Francois Monnet 1970s France
By François Monnet
Located in Vienna, AT
Modernist vintage square coffee table by Francois Monnet from stainless steel and glass 1970s France. A fabulous coffee table in rare size from stainless steel and clear glass with a...
Stainless Steel
Italian Postmodern “Sirfo” Side Table, Alessandro Mendini for Zanotta, 1980s
By Alessandro Mendini, Zanotta
Located in Milano, IT
The Sirfo side table is a mesmerizing creation envisioned by the legendary Alessandro Mendini for the renowned design house Zanotta. This avant-garde piece effortlessly merges art and functionality flaunting a harmonious blend of clean lines and playful curves. Its sinuous silhouette evokes a sense of fluidity, inviting the beholder to explore its contours and discover new perspectives at every angle. A true testament to Mendini's mastery, it challenges the notions of traditional furniture design and is able to adapt to various living spaces, whether placed in a cozy corner...
Aluminum
Zanotta Editioni Collection Sirfo Table designed by Alessandro Mendini 1986
By Alessandro Mendini
Located in Offenburg, Baden Wurthemberg
Post-modern Sirfo Goose table from the Zanotta Editioni Collection, designed by Alessandro Mendini in 1986 manufactured by Zanotta, Italy Painted Aluminu...
Steel, Aluminum
Zanotta Edizioni Sirfo Goose Table in Natural Frame by Alessandro Mendini
By Zanotta, Alessandro Mendini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Zanotta Edizioni Sirfo Goose Table in Natural Frame by Alessandro Mendini Signed original. Frame in natural colour painted cast aluminum, with yellow pa...
Aluminum
Acilio Side Table by Alessandro Mendini for Zanotta, 1985
By Alessandro Mendini, Zanotta
Located in Asti, Piemonte
Alessandro Mendini. Zabro / Nuova Alchimia, Side Table, model Acilio. Side table, model Acilio. Designed in 1985. Lacquered wood, lacquered and chrome-plated metal. The plates can be...
Metal
Small table mod. 6500 by Alessandro Mendini for Zanotta
By Alessandro Mendini, Zanotta
Located in Ravenna, IT
Small table designed in 1986 by Alessandro Mendini for Zanotta. The tabletop features a daisy design, made entirely of mosaic. The central leg, which supports the top, reaches the gr...
Aluminum, Steel
Zanotta Edizioni Hispo Table with Aluminum Base by Alessandro Mendini
By Zanotta, Alessandro Mendini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Zanotta Edizioni Hispo Table with Aluminum Base by Alessandro Mendini Signed original. Cast aluminum base and steel leg, with green wooden top. Pol...
Aluminum
Alessandro Mendini, Michael Graves, Ettore Sottsass and other design luminaries contributed to this unusual collection of porcelain wares representing a time capsule of late-20th-century decorative art.
Aided by photos taken of the maestro in his Milan studio, we honor the influential design talent who died last month at 87.
