In 1957, the Castiglioni duo began designing a light fixture for the Sala della Giunta in the Milan Chamber of Commerce building, one that served to concentrate the illumination overhead whilst also lighting the rest of the room at the same time.

For the realisation of such a complex project, the Castiglioni brothers turned to a company that, at the time, could transform their brilliant intuition into reality more than any other enterprise.

Hence how Bruno Gatta’s Stilnovo entered the field. Two unique copies were produced in 1958 by Stilnovo, but unfortunately, several impediments would prevent any further production of this complex device.

Working in the midst of the Italian design Renaissance of the 1950s and ’60s, brothers Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni were dedicated to creating visually appealing, yet technically innovative designs. Their legacy is still felt today, as they are among the most celebrated designers of the 20th century—especially among diehard design lovers. 

Both brothers were keenly interested in experimenting with new materials and techniques for industrial production. Additionally, they were eager to find inspiration in the everyday, and, as such, they often worked with found objects and components.

Pier Giacomo unfortunately died early in 1968; Achille continued to work on his own until his own death in 2002. Today, many of the brothers’ designs are on display at museums and galleries around the world, including the V&A in London and the MoMA in New York. Over the course of their careers, they collectively received nine Compasso d´Oro awards.