Although Vico Magistretti set out to be an architect, his approach and design execution allowed him to explore more avenues than such. He would be come one of the most influential designers of his time. Magistretti made his mark by winning 2 coveted Compasso D’ Oro awards, was nominated as Royal Designer for having taught for 20 years at the Royal College of Arts, and 12 of his pieces are part of a permanent collection in the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
The Sonora lamp that was put into production in the early 1970’s is a poignant definition of what Magistretti stood for as a designer. He took sensible ideals to simplify products and designs that became statements of their end use. Magistretti loved using geometrical shapes and essential lines to not over complicate his work. The Sonora is a clean, dome shaped pendant lamp that expresses modern, understated elegance. The lamp was initially created in metal, but by 1990 it was replaced by Murano glass. The Sonora is still produced by its original company Oluce today and comes in variations of size and material.
Magistretti teaches us that good design will always be timeless and adapt to the aesthetic of its era.
—Greg Cordeiro
