Karakter Lungangolo Shelving Unit
Castiglioni is said to ponder a lot on lost space. Empty inches and square meters that could be filled with beautiful design—but for some reason just never were. Due to this thinking he did many designs intended specifically for the corners of the home. Lungangolo is one of those. Lungangolo is a multi-use piece of furniture originally produced by Bernini. The frame is made of four slender pillars with square cross-sections in between to support the square shelves placed in various heights. The structure is strengthened by a drawer and a side piece. The position of the drawer and elimination of part of the support meant it had to be manufactured in two versions—to work for both left and right handed.
MEASUREMENTS:
- Width: 36 cm / 14 1/4 inch
- Depth: 36 cm / 14 1/4 inch
- Height: 225 cm / 88 1/2 inch
MATERIALS:
- Solid and veneered oak treated with natural oil, black oil or white stain with clear lacquer
Achille Castiglioni
Italy, 1918 – 2002
“Start from scratch. Stick to common sense. Know your goals and means.” - Achille Castiglioni
Achille Castiglioni was born in Milan in 1918 and studied architecture, graduating in 1944. As there was little work for young Italian architects immediately after World War II, Castiglioni joined his elder brothers – Livio (1911-1979) and Pier Giacomo (1913-1968) in the industrial design studio they had established on Piazza Castello in Milan. He worked with them on commercial projects such as the 1938 Caccia set of cutlery, still used in Italian homes today, and the strikingly light, svelte 1939 five valve radio receiver they developed for Phonola.
Like other recent architecture graduates, the Castiglionis began to develop products for Italian manufacturers, which were launching or rebuilding their businesses after World War II. Many of these manufacturers were young, energetic and eager to experiment with the new technologies and materials that had been developed by the defense industry during the War. This access to new technology, along with the proud artisanal tradition in Italian industry, fostered a new generation of manufacturers that relished the opportunity to collaborate with equally enthusiastic young designers to develop innovative and inspiring products for receptive post-war consumers.
Throughout Castiglioni’s career he formed close and enduring relationships with a small group of carefully selected manufacturers with which he felt empathetic. Among the most productive of these relationships was Castiglioni’s work with Flos, the Italian lighting manufacturer. He and Pier Giacomo developed dozens of extraordinarily inventive lights for Flos. The 1962 Arco floor lamp was modeled on a streetlight to project the light source eight feet from its heavy marble base and the Toio floor lamp that was inspired by a car reflector.
Castiglioni remained curious, challenging and inventive until his death in 2002. Superbly resolved as his work was in terms of its formal qualities, he never lost his wit or his delight in paradox. “There has to be irony both in design and in the objects,” he said. “I see around me a professional disease of taking everything too seriously. One of my secrets is to joke all the time.”
Karakter is a Danish design company founded on a spirit of exploration, courage and an uncompromising attitude to quality. Rooted in the Scandinavian design tradition with an international outlook, Karakter presents a portfolio of furniture, lighting and objects that is relevant, honest, expressive and sometimes playful. Aspiring to build an enduring legacy, we work with contemporary designers such as Aldo Bakker and PlueerSmitt and present works by the masters Bodil Kjær, Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Paul McCobb, Joe Colombo and Angelo Mangiarotti. Each piece has a clear, undeniable expression, ensuring it pride of place in private homes and public spaces worldwide.
This item qualifies for free door-to-door delivery within Canada, with a few exceptions:
- Orders $150 or less are charged a $35 small order fee at checkout.
- Additional charges apply for Remote Delivery Areas including the Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and other remote locations outside of major city centres.
- Small items will be delivered by FedEx or other courier service in your area.
- Large items will be delivered by freight service. This is standard curbside delivery; meaning the driver will not haul up an incline or up stairs, and it will be your responsibility to bring the item inside, complete any assembly, and remove packaging debris.
- For a White Glove Delivery quote which includes unpackaging and assembly, please make a note in the Comments section during Checkout and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
For further information on our shipping policies click here.
For further information on returns + refunds click here.
