Fratelli Guzzini’s Approach to Materials

Keywords: Design, Guzzini, Materials, PMMA, Surrogates

Abstract

This paper focuses on the experience of an Italian company, Guzzini, an historical and authoritative example of Italian design, which linked its history and image particularly to the use of a material, PMMA.
The aim of this research is that of unveiling an unprecedented history of materic research that saw the substitution of a natural material, as horn with a synthetic material, using it as a “surrogate” in terms both of technical qualities and expressive-functional one, both being fundamental for the project.
With reference to the evolution of the productive system, the idea was that of highlighting how this company was able to enhance properties and quality, which were subsequently recognised as distinctive of the synthetic material.

Author Biographies

Valentina Rognoli, Politecnico di Milano

Valentina Rognoli is a researcher at the Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering “G. Natta ”, where she carries out research in the field of materials and design. She teaches at the Politecnico di Milano, School of Design. After two years in Enzo Mari's studio, in 2000 she began her academic activity focusing on materials and their expressive-sensorial dimension. In the last year, she has contributed to the definition of the concepts of materials experience and tinkering with materials. Current research topics concern materials and their relationship with user experience, education, additive technologies, sustainability, DIY, imperfection and repair. She has published important books and articles in the field of materials and design and has established international relations.

Carlo Santulli, Università di Camerino

Carlo Santulli is an associate professor at the School of Architecture and Design of the University of Camerino. He is a recognized expert in mechanical and impact characterization and non-destructive testing of polymer matrix composites, natural fibres and sustainable materials, biomimicry. In the last 25 years he has carried out research at the University of Rome - La Sapienza, Joint Research Center - Ispra, University of Liverpool, University of Nottingham, University of Reading, and was also a scientific visitor at Katholieke Universiteit Leuven and at the École des Mines de Saint-Étienne. In 2006 he was appointed associate professor at the University of Rome - La Sapienza. From 2008 to 2010 he was also an adjunct professor at the Industrial Design course of the Second University of Naples, teaching various modules on the sustainability of materials. He has numerous collaborations around the world and has published over 180 titles, including journal articles and conference memoirs, and two books.

Published
2014-11-28
Issue
Vol 2 No 4 (2014): Italian Material Design: Learning from History
Section
Research

Copyright (c) 2014 Valentina Rognoli, Carlo Santulli

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Creative Commons NonCommercial-NoDerivates 4.0 international License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0).