1905 – 1977, was an Italian Neo-Rationalist architect, designer and university instructor in design.
A native of Robbiate, near Milan, Albini obtained his degree in architecture at Politecnico di Milano University in 1929 and began his professional career working for Gio Ponti.
He started displaying his works at Milan Triennale
1930 he opened his own practice.
Through his creations, the modern furniture design merged the Italian traditional artisanship with the new forms of modernism.
In his creations, he used raw, inexpensive materials.
He exploited the very skilled Italian craftsmanship.
This also meant an elegant design based on a minimalist aesthetic.
One of his first successful works in 1939 was a radio, encased in glass, so to show its internal components.
1928 Albini designed the now-iconic Albini Desk, combining steel, glass and wood with a striking minimalistic balance, and introduced by Knoll in 1949.
Canapo, Chaise longue – Cassina, 1945
1950 he designed the famous and fashionable Margherita and Gala chairs, made of woven cane.
Margherita armchair – Bonacina, 1951
1952 he created the Fiorenza armchair for Arflex.
Re-design of a chair designed by Franco Albini in 1939
1955 the Luisa chair
Luisa, Armchair original leather by Poggi, 1955
1956 the Rocking chaise for Poggy.
1960s he worked on industrial design as well as important architectural projects.
1961 he designed the Rome Rinascente building.
1964 he designed with Franca Helg and Bob Noorda the
subway stations, and from 1969 also Milan Metro Line 2 subway stations.
1964 the television set he created for Brionvenga was displayed at the Milan Triennial XIII.
In the same year, he created various lamps for Arteluce.
Albini worked for companies including Brionvega, Cassina, Arflex, Arteluce and Poggi.
He was also an architect and interior designer.
Among others, in 1945 he created the Zanini Fur Shop located in Milan.
1945-1946 as writer and editor, he worked for the Italian magazine Casabella .
In the 1950s and 1960s he taught interior design at the Venice School of Architecture (Università Iuav di Venezia).
1963-1977 he taught design at Milan Polytecnic (Politecnico di Milano).
Albini obtained three Compasso d’Oro awards, the most prestigious Italian design prize.
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