Branzi, Andrea

A major Italian figure in the history of design, Andrea Branzi (1938- ) is one of the representatives of the radical movement. Co-founder of the Archizoom group, with whom he developed the “No-Stop-City” project (1969-72) and the Mies, Superonda and Safari seats for Poltronova. His contribution to the theoretical debate, starting with his diploma, now kept at the Centre Pompidou, has lasted for more than 50 years. His essays and critical interventions, in particular the “Radical Notes” published in “Casabella”, are important and he embraces design, architecture and urbanism without distinction. In 2009 he proposed “Nouvelle Charte d'Athènes” (conference for Enjeu Capital(es), Centre Pompidou, 2009) and continues these reflections through the concept of weak or diffuse technique. Architecture and design are disappearing in favour of a technical flow demanding a new autonomy in the management of spaces. He is finally a historiographer of his discipline (“La Casa Calda”, 1982).