Alessandro Mendini was born in Milan in 1931. Through his work as an architect, designer, journalist, theorist and publisher, Mendini helped establish the Italian design sensibility on a global scale with a particular focus on neo-modern, avant-garde design as well as the crossover between art, design and architecture.
Mendini’s influential work spanned the arenas of graphics, furniture, interiors, architecture, stage design, writing and painting. He graduated from the Polytechnic University of Milan in 1959, and he began his career at the studio of artist-designer Marcello Nizzoli. He went on to become the publisher of the popular magazines Casabella (1970–76), Modo and Domus (each 1979–85).
In 1979, Mendini joined Ettore Sottsass and Michele de Lucchi as a partner at Studio Alchimia, a harbinger of the Memphis Group before he cofounded Domus Academy in 1982. In 1989, he and his brother Francesco established their architectural practice, Atelier Mendini, in Milan, where he worked until his death in February 2019. In recognition of his outstanding body of work, Mendini was awarded the Compasso d’Oro twice, in 1979 and 1981. He was also honored by the Architectural League of New York, made Chevalier des Arts et Lettres in France, and, in 2014, he was awarded the European Prize for Architecture.
Mendini’s work is included in the permanent collections of the Metropolitan Museum and the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Centre Pompidou in Paris, among others.
Find vintage Alessandro Mendini chairs, vases, table lamps and other furniture and decorative objects on 1stDibs.
(Biography provided by STUDIO CADMIUM)
Hispo Mosaic Top Coffee Table by Designed Alessandro Mendini for Alchimia
By Alessandro Mendini, Gruppo Alchimia
Located in London, GB
This an original occasional round table with a petal mosaic top. Italian design by Alessandro Mendini for Alchimia, signed on the base ...
Stone, Metal
Low stool / Side table made of a singleblock of cedar Riva 1920 Rocco - Mendini
By Alessandro Mendini, Riva 1920
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Riva 1920 Model: Rocco Design by: Alessandro Mendini Rocco is a sculptural piece conceived as a low stool or side table, carved from a single block of solid scented cedar. De...
Wood, Cedar
Low stool / Side table made of a singleblock of cedar Riva 1920 Rosa del Deserto
By Alessandro Mendini, Riva 1920
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Riva 1920 Model: Desert Rose Design by: Assia Karaguiozova Rosa del Deserto is a sculptural piece conceived as a low stool or side table, carved from a single block of solid ...
Wood, Cedar
Ghidini 1961 Ninfee Left Coffee Table in Satin Brass Finish
By Ghidini 1961, Alessandro Mendini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This charming side table was crafted entirely in brass and its structure comprises three legs joint together by a triangular structure at the centr...
Brass
Ghidini 1961 Ninfee Middle Coffee Table in Satin Brass Finish
By Ghidini 1961, Alessandro Mendini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This charming side table was crafted entirely in brass and its structure comprises three legs joint together by a triangular structure at the cente...
Brass
Ghidini 1961 Ninfee Right Coffee Table in Satin Brass Finish
By Ghidini 1961, Alessandro Mendini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This charming side table was crafted entirely in brass and its structure comprises three legs joint together by a triangular structure at the centr...
Brass
$3,315 / set
H 21.66 in W 24.81 in D 15.95 in
Pair of Elephant Nightstands or Side Table in Rattan, Vivai del Sud, Italy, 1970
By Vivai del Sud, Franca Helg
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful and rare pair of Mid-Century elephant-shaped side tables with removable trays, fully made in hand-woven wicker. These stylish organic pieces were designed by Vivai del Sud ...
Bamboo, Wicker, Cane, Rattan
Spanish Low Side Table / Drinks Table in Gilt Wrought
Located in Barcelona, ES
Elegant wrought gilt iron low round coffee table or occassional table / drinks table. Spain, 1950s This beautiful whrought iron table has an elegant design, with a round top and scr...
Iron, Wrought Iron, Metal
Zougei Sculptural Stool Side Table sculpture 9
By Hiroyuki Nishimura
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Name: Pinkoro Sculptural stool or side table by Hiroyuki Nishimura and Zougei carved furniture Material: Cherry This work is carved from log with some kinds of chainsaws. Most of woo...
Wood
$2,000
H 11.7 in W 41.86 in D 29.14 in
Japanese Vintage Low Table in Cedar and Ash, Showa Period, Wabi Sabi, Mingei
Located in Hitachiomiya-shi, 08
Japanese Vintage Low Table, Showa Period, Wabi Sabi, Mingei This Japanese vintage low table was crafted in the Showa Period (1926-1989). Made from a combination of sugi (Japanese c...
Ash, Cedar, Lacquer
Rocco Drinks Table (Smaller Version)
Located in Dallas, TX
The Rocco Drinks Table is an organic modern side table that merges sculptural artistry with functional design. Hand-forged in the U.S.A., its iron top features decorative markings, w...
Iron
Bellagio Low Table, Made of Ashwood
By Morelato
Located in Salizzole, IT
Contemporary low table made of ash wood, designed by Libero Rutilo The table can have wooden, glass or stone top: available stones Emperador dark Sahara Noir Pulpis brown White ...
Ash
$1,874 / item
H 20.48 in Dm 11.03 in
Ghidini 1961 Opera Small Round Table with Gold Finish by Richard Hutten
By Richard Hutten, Ghidini 1961
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Round table in stainless steel For the interior design of the Dutch national Opera and ballet Hutten designed these simple yet elegant and very useful side tables. Material: Sta...
Stainless Steel
$3,000
H 10.039 in W 24.606 in D 30.315 in
Japanese Antique Yakushima Cedar Table top・Root Low Table 1900s-1940s／Wabi Sabi
Located in 足利市, JP
This monumental, museum-quality low table is a breathtaking masterpiece of Japanese Wabi-Sabi aesthetic, seamlessly marrying two of Japan’s most revered sacred timbers: Yakushima Ced...
Wood
Coffee Table Designed by J. M. Frank and A. Chanaux
By Ecart International, Jean-Michel Frank
Located in Paris, FR
End of 20th century coffee table by Jean-Michel Frank and Adolphe Chanaux, edited by Ecart International, in sanded and stained oak. This model was not reedited.
Oak
Rocco Drinks Table (Larger Version)
Located in Dallas, TX
The Rocco Drinks Table is an organic modern side table that merges sculptural artistry with functional design. Hand-forged in the U.S.A., its iron top features decorative markings, w...
Iron
The Stump Stool - Turned Vintage Wood Stool Side Table
By Klein Agency
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The stories, textures and colors that are unique to each individual vintage piece of lumber have been a fantastic new world to explore in the collection of lounge tables developed fo...
Wood
Glass Top and Chrome Coffee Table
By Horst Bruning, Kill International
Located in Antwerp, BE
1970s coffee table minimalist modern chrome base with a clear glass top.
Stainless Steel, Chrome
Alessandro Mendini Papilo Coffee Table
By Alessandro Mendini
Located in Dronten, NL
Alessandro Mendini designed the Papio table from his Nuova Alchimia collection in 1985. This elegant table made of aluminum and crystal glass is very v...
Aluminum
Alessandro Mendini Coffee Table
By Alessandro Mendini
Located in London, GB
Black glass and lacquered wood