Titina Ammannati & Gianpiero Vitelli’s 70-Year Design Legacy Comes to Light in Milan.

Titina Ammannati & Gianpiero Vitelli Photo: Maria Mulas.

Susi Aarmchair by Ammannati & Vitelli tor Rossi di Albizzate, 1956.

La Curva Chair by Ammannati & Vitelli for Pozzi Verga, 1968.

Gianpiero Vitelli on Laros Sofa Bed, 1960.

BabyBetta Childrens Furniture for Rossi, 1959-1965.

Cover Cover exhibition attendees, Gio Ponti and Gianpiero Vitelli at Domus Centre, 1969.

Cassano Display Window by Vitelli & Ammannati for Rossi di Albizzate.

Transenna Chairs by Ammannati & Vitelli for Pozzi and Verga, 1970.

i71 Chair by Ammannati & Vitelli for Pozzi and Verga, 1971.

We’re feeling a little nostalgic today as we share with you a retrospective that celebrates two unsung heroes of Italian design—a creative couple whose work shaped the industry with a whisper rather than a shout.

Tucked away in Milan’s Atelier Balderi, “Abitare Lo Spazio” (Living The Space) honours the 70-year legacy of Titina Ammannati and Gianpiero Vitelli. Opened in mid-March, the exhibition runs through Milan Design Week 2025, which officially kicks off tomorrow.

The inseparable duo—partners in both work and life—quietly revolutionised Italian design from the 1950s through the early 2000s. Working with heavyweights like Moroso, 4Mariani, and MisuraEmme, they weren’t just designers but unofficial art directors before the term even entered our professional vocabulary.

Meet Niels Diffrient, The Design Maverick Who Redefined the Act of Sitting.

Design icon alert! Niels Diffrient—the godfather of ergonomics—revolutionised our relationship with sitting. His groundbreaking approach to ergonomics culminated in the Freedom chair for Humanscale, challenging industry giants and establishing new standards for task seating that continue to influence design today.

306 Low Table by Ammannati & Vitelli for Longhi, 1975.

Intercity Sofa by Ammannati & Vitelli, 1986.

Noèchaise Lounge by Ammannati & Vitelli for Moroso, 1987.

Brunati Factory by Ammannati & Vitelli.

Sandwich Armchair & Footrest by Ammannati & Vitelli for Brunati, 1972.

Drink Side Tables for Brunati, 1985.

Pleinair Tables for Brunati, 1975.

What makes their work still relevant? For starters, Gianpiero’s meticulous 1:1 drawings (skills from his artistic background) and their shared passion for modularity and adaptability. Their Kilkis armchair, Sandwich upholstered series, and the pioneering BebiBetta children’s furniture collection showcase their forward-thinking approach that still feels relevant decades later.

The exhibition features architectural projects too, from retail spaces to private residences and production facilities, including the Brunati factory. Perhaps most captivating is their work on Villa Troubetzkoy on Lake Como, which demonstrates their talent for enhancing existing spaces.

“Titina and Gianpiero were tireless in their professional commitments,” explains curator Porzia Bergamasco, “They spoke through their projects rather than self-promotion.” This understated approach might explain why they aren’t household names despite their influence.

Kilkis Armchair for Brunati, 1985.

Ipoltroni Modular Sofas & Armchairs by Ammannati & Vitelli for Longhi, 1975.

S 8 Office Armchair for Brunati, 1978.

Talese Chairs & Table for MisuraEmme, 1981.

Molto + Di Sofa for I 4 Mariani, 1988.

Up Down Daybed Sofa for I 4 Mariani, 1999.

Single Reclining Armchair with Tablet, 1998.

Chesterman Armchair for I 4 Mariani, 1999.

The exhibition includes video interviews with colleagues, entrepreneurs, and friends—from Chitose Asano and Marco Della Torre to entrepreneurs like Roberto Moroso—offering intimate glimpses into this duo’s brilliance.

Titina and Gianpiero embodied what we now call multidisciplinary practice. They weren’t just furniture designers but complete spatial thinkers whose influence transcended categories.

Abitare Lo Spazio—Titina Ammannati and Gianpiero Vitelli—1955/2025, 70 years of architecture and design is on show at Atelier Balderi Via Ausonio 20, Milan until 13th April. For more information, head to iginiobalderi.org.

Knoll: A Design Love Story That Changed How We Experience Space Forever.

Since 1938, Knoll has revolutionised spatial design through mastery of Total Design Planning, Designer Collaborations, and innovative material solutions. Rooted in Bauhaus principles and Cranbrook creativity...

[Images courtesy of Atelier Balderi.]