About Gianfranco Frattini

Italy, 1926–2004

Gianfranco Frattini was born in Padua, Italy, in 1926. He graduated in architecture from the Politecnico di Milano in 1953 and soon opened his own studio in Milan, following formative years working under his mentor Giò Ponti. Initially trained as an architect, Frattini became an industrial designer out of necessity, creating lighting and furniture to support his interior commissions.

His collaboration with Cesare Cassina began in 1954, marking the start of long-term relationships with leading manufacturers including Bernini, Acerbis, Fantoni, Artemide, Luci, Knoll, and Lema. Among his most celebrated designs is the Boalum lamp for Artemide, created with Livio Castiglioni—a flexible, sculptural light that remains iconic.

Frattini was a founding member of the Associazione per il Disegno Industriale (ADI) in 1956 and served on the board of the Triennale di Milano. A devoted connoisseur of woodcraft, he forged a notable partnership with master artisan Pierluigi Ghianda, producing works that reflect his deep respect for material and technique.

Throughout his career, Frattini received numerous accolades, including the prestigious Compasso d’Oro. He passed away in Milan in 2004, leaving behind a legacy defined by architectural clarity, technical rigor, and a refined modern Italian sensibility.