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The company enriches its historical archive with 30 projects, original drawings, and sketches created by the Turin-based architect, designer and photographer.
Zanotta, a global symbol of radical Italian design, with the invaluable support of Lawyer Rositani Suckert, announces that it has obtained from the Italian State, through the successful completion of a public tender, the exclusive license to produce thirty works by architect Carlo Mollino.By enriching its collection with the works of the great creative mind, Zanotta pays tribute to Mollino, celebrating his legacy and artistic value.
Through this significant collaboration with the Italian State, an important milestone in the exchange between public and private entities, Zanotta reaffirms its commitment to preserving and promoting Italy’s historic design heritage. The company embraces Mollino’s work with determination, aiming to relaunch and enhance his creations.
Carlo Mollino (1905-1973), professor of ‘Architectural Composition’ at the Polytechnic University of Turin, is universally recognised as one of the most influential figures in 20th-century Italian aesthetics. His work spans architecture, photography, set design, and industrial design, embodying a unique fusion of creativity and innovation.In addition to the 30 design drawings intended for industrial production, Mollino’s professional archive, preserved within the library system of the Faculty of Architecture at the Polytechnic University of Turin, comprises nearly 17,000 graphic plates, technical drawings and sketches. It also includes approximately 15,000 photographs, over 70 handwritten and typewritten documents, and an extensive collection of personal and professional correspondence.
Mollino is renowned for his zoomorphic forms, anatomical curves that trace sinuous trajectories, creating intricate arabesque and a design language that merges abstraction with surrealism. His projects drew inspiration from a diverse array of experiential references and micro-worlds that remain relevant and captivating to this day.Zanotta stands out for its ongoing commitment to promoting design culture and rediscovering the great masters of the past. Beyond Mollino, the company has played a key role in highlighting the works of iconic figures such as Giuseppe Terragni and Gabriele Mucchi, reaffirming its role as both guardian and innovator of Italian design heritage.
In occasione della recente edizione della Milan Design Week (20–26 aprile 2026), Zanotta presenta per la prima volta il tavolo Vertebra, uno straordinario progetto di Carlo Mollino mai realizzato prima in ambito di produzione industriale. Il tavolo Vertebra esemplifica l’approccio di Mollino al design del mobile, inteso non come semplice elemento decorativo, ma come estensione del corpo in movimento. La sua struttura sinuosa, quasi scheletrica, richiama forme anatomiche e traiettorie dinamiche, riflettendo la sensibilità di un progettista che fu anche sciatore, pilota automobilistico e appassionato di acrobazia aerea.
Presentato all’interno del flagship store Zanotta in un’installazione immersiva ispirata agli interni molliniani — dove tende e tessuti definiscono fluidamente lo spazio — e alle forme organiche del corpo umano unite alla dinamica del movimento su neve, pista e cielo, il tavolo sarà inserito in un ambiente dedicato, segnando un momento significativo nella riscoperta della sua opera visionaria. All’interno dell’allestimento nel flagship store, é inoltre presentata una selezione curata di pezzi realizzati dall’azienda come omaggio a Carlo Mollino nel corso degli anni, tra cui la sedia Fenis, caratterizzata dalla sua struttura lignea scultorea; Gilda, un’elegante poltrona regolabile che coniuga ingegno meccanico e comfort raffinato; Arabesco, un tavolino contraddistinto da linee fluide e decorative; Ardea, una seduta dalle forme sinuose e avvolgenti; e Milo, uno specchio caratterizzato da una composizione dinamica e da una leggerezza strutturale — tra gli altri, a testimonianza della perdurante attualità e della forza espressiva del linguaggio progettuale del designer.
Photo credits Francesco Dolfo
