When discussing Italian architect Giovanni Michelucci, it is difficult to decide which is the more impressive achievement: his more than half-century track record of notable projects, which includes designing and restoring some of Tuscany’s most famous landmarks, or his nearly century-long life. While he is often remembered for passing away just two days before his centennial birthday, in the same breath he is memorialized for his exceptional contributions to Tuscan architecture, including Florence’s Santa Maria Novella Train Station, Palazzo delle Poste and restored rooms inside the legendary Uffizi Gallery.
Michelucci’s practice began in childhood, at his family’s artistic metal workshop. There, he rubbed elbows with many passing artists and architects before pursuing design academically at Florence’s Istituto Superiore di Architettura. Michelucci graduated in 1911 and embarked on a long teaching career. By the early 1920s, he was instructing at the Istituto d’Arte of Rome and later at the Istituto Superiore di Architettura, from 1928 until 1936. He served as dean of the school’s architectural faculty twice during the 1940s and founded the magazine La Nuova Città between the two appointments. He left Florence in 1948 to become a professor at the School of Engineering in Bologna, where he remained until his retirement.
Other significant architectural projects dot Michelucci ‘s career, like the Santa Maria Novella church and church of St. John the Baptist. Often working in collaboration with the Grouppo Tuscano, a collective of young architects, Michelucci beat out more than 100 other bidders on multiple contracts to bring his modernist, rationalist approach to Italy’s architectural landscape.
In his hometown of Pistoia, as well as Fiesole, Michelucci formed the Fondazione Giovanni Michelucci, which undertook social projects targeted at prisons, hospitals and asylums within the cities. He dedicated the rest of his life toward using architecture to address social challenges — a cause the foundation continues to support today.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of Giovanni Michelucci lighting, case pieces and tables.
Architectural Mid-Century Sideboard in Mahogany
By Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sideboard, mahogany, Italy, 1960s Striking Italian sideboard executed in rich mahogany. The design is characterized by its strong architectural presence, featuring a broad overhangi...
Mahogany
Giovanni Michelucci Torbecchia Sideboard in Walnut Wood by Poltronova 1964
By Poltronova, Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Cascina, Pisa
Torbecchia sideboard is entirely realized in solid veneered walnut wood, with two frontal hinging doors, two drawers, and a storage unit under the openable top part. The signature o...
Wood, Walnut
$5,562Sale Price|20% Off
Torbecchia Sideboard in Walnut by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova, 1964
By Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Oirlo, LI
Step into the world of mid-century Italian design with this exquisite Torbecchia sideboard, masterfully crafted by renowned architect and designer Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova ...
Walnut
Silvio Coppola for Bernini Geometric Sideboard in Walnut
By Silvio Coppola, Bernini
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Silvio Coppola for Bernini, sideboard, walnut, Italy, 1966 This geometrically convincing sideboard is designed by the Italian designer-architect Silvio Coppola. It is well-structure...
Walnut
$4,666
H 68.12 in W 109.06 in D 19.3 in
Mid-Century Modern Italian Mahogany Sideboard with Mirror by Osvaldo Borsani
By Fratelli Turri, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Prato, IT
Mid-Century Modern Italian mahogany sideboard with onyx top and mirror by Osvaldo Borsani for "Mobilificio Fratelli Turri", 1950s The mirro...
Brass
$11,000
H 39.38 in W 50.4 in D 23.63 in
Giovanni Michelucci Serena Chest of Drawers for Poltronova, 1955
By Giovanni Michelucci, Poltronova
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
The Serena chest of drawers was designed by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova in 1955. Made in walnut wood, it features six drawers — four smaller above and two larger below. Signed...
Walnut
Louis Philippe Sideboard In Walnut
Located in Beaune, FR
Louis Philippe style sideboard in solid walnut opening with 4 doors and 2 drawers. Good condition and beautiful original patina. Dimensions Height 1m10 Width 1m94 Depth 67cm
Walnut
Silvio Coppola for Bernini Geometric Sideboard in Walnut
By Bernini, Silvio Coppola
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Silvio Coppola for Bernini, sideboard, walnut, Italy, design 1966 This geometrically convincing sideboard is designed by the Italian designer-architect Silvio Coppola. It is well-st...
Walnut
Elegant Early 20th-Century Sideboard in Mahogany
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Elegant Early 20th-Century Sideboard in Mahogany This refined early 20th-century sideboard is a beautifully crafted piece, showcasing exquisite workmanship and timeless elegance. Ma...
Mahogany
Architectural French Painted Sideboard
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Large early 19th Century French architectural painted enfilade with a painted faux marble top.1840
Metal
$4,416
H 61.03 in W 65.75 in D 19.69 in
"Torbecchia" wooden sideboard by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova, Italy, 1970
By Poltronova, Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Argelato, BO
This sideboard is an iconic piece of Italian design from the 1960s, designed by architect Giovanni Michelucci in 1964 for Poltronova. It is part of the "Torbecchia" series, a project...
Wood
Mario Marenco for Mobil Girgi 'Sapporo' Sideboard in Walnut
By Mario Marenco
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Marenco for Mobil Girgi, sideboard model 'Sapporo', walnut, Italy, 1970s An extraordinary credenza by the renowned Italian designer and actor Mario Marenco (1933–2019), showca...
Walnut
Delta Sideboard in Aluminium & Walnut by Atelier Jones
Located in København S, DK
The Delta Sideboard embraces material contrast - the raw beauty of aluminium paired with the warmth of timber. Designed with simple forms, well-balanced proportions, and to be utterl...
Aluminum
Torbecchia sideboard by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova
By Giovanni Michelucci, Poltronova
Located in Ravenna, IT
Furniture designed by Michelucci and manufactured by Poltronova. The cabinet consists of two lower hinged doors, which can be opened by a handle, and two upper hinged doors, which ca...
Walnut
Architectural Mahogany Sideboard, France, 1960s
By André Arbus
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
French mid-century mahogany three-door sideboard, solid mahogany, France, 1960s. This mahogany enfilade carries the refined, architectural elegance of André Arbus, built entirely in...
Mahogany
Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova ´Torbecchia´ Sideboard
By Poltronova, Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giovanni Michelucci fpr Poltronova, ´Torbecchia´ sideboard, walnut, Italy, 1960s This cabinet with its solid and grand appearance is designed by Italian designer Giovanni Michelucci...
Walnut
Giovanni Michelucci Sideboard in Walnut
By Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giovanni Michelucci, sideboard, walnut Italy, 1964. This cabinet will brighten up your interior through its solid and grand appearance. It is a stunning cabinet in beautiful teak....
Walnut
Sold
H 54.73 in W 50.4 in D 22.84 in
Pair of sideboards by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova, Italy 1960
By Poltronova, Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Elegant walnut sideboards by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova, showcasing minimalist design and refined craftsmanship. Identical in size, one features shelves and a hanging space, ...
Wood
Sold
H 34.25 in W 78.75 in D 20 in
Giovanni Michelucci ''Torbecchia" Sideboard for Poltronova, Italy, 1960s
By Poltronova, Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Skokie, IL
Giovanni Michelucci model ''Torbecchia" sideboard for Poltronova, Italy, 1960s Additional Information: Materials: Walnut Condition: Minor surface scratches. Very good vintage original condition. Burnished signature to right side 'G Michelucci'
Brass
Walnut Sideboard by Giovanni Michelucci, Italy, circa 1965
By Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Culver City, CA
Walnut Sideboard by Giovanni Michelucci, Italy circa 1965 Designed for Poltronova with beautiful architectural lines. Two cupboards, two drawers and a hinged top, etched with the ...
Wood, Walnut
Sold
H 33.08 in W 78.75 in D 20.87 in
Giovanni Michelucci Torbecchia Sideboard in Walnut Wood by Poltronova 1964
By Poltronova, Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Cascina, Pisa
Torbecchia sideboard is entirely realized in solid veneered walnut wood, with two frontal hinging doors (inner shelves), two drawers, and a storage unit under the openable top part. ...
Walnut, Wood
Sold
H 33.08 in W 78.75 in D 20.87 in
Giovanni Michelucci Torbecchia Sideboard in Walnut Wood by Poltronova 1964 Italy
By Poltronova, Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Cascina, Pisa
Torbecchia sideboard is entirely realized in solid veneered walnut wood, with two frontal hinging doors (inner shelves), two drawers, and a storage unit under the openable top part. ...
Walnut
Sold
H 32.68 in W 78.75 in D 20.87 in
”Torbecchia” Walnut Sideboard by Giovanni Michelucci, Italy, 1960s
By Giovanni Michelucci
Located in amstelveen, NL
Giovanni Michelucci Torbecchia sideboard for Poltronova in solid walnut from the 1960s. The horizontal and vertical lines give it an architectural appearance. The credenza consists o...
Walnut
Poltronova Torbecchia Sideboard Walnut, Italy, 1960s-1970s
By Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Milano, IT
Sideboard designed by Michelucci in 1964; walnut veneered wood.
Walnut
Sold
H 33.08 in W 78.75 in D 20.48 in
Mid-Century Italian Sideboard by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova
By Giovanni Michelucci
Located in London, GB
A walnut sideboard, by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova. 'Torbecchia' model. Italy, c1960s. Drawers, to the front with...
Walnut
Sold
H 33.86 in W 78.75 in D 21.26 in
Mid-Century Walnut Sideboard Model ''Torbecchia" by Giovanni Michelucci, Italy
By Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-century walnut sideboard model ''Torbecchia" by Giovanni Michelucci - Italy 1970s.
Wood
Sold
H 33.47 in W 78.75 in D 21.26 in
‘Torbecchia’ Sideboard in Walnut by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova, 1960's
By Giovanni Michelucci, Poltronova
Located in Uithoorn, NL
Giovanni Michelucci was a famed 20th century Italian architect known for seminal works such as designs for the Santa Maria Novella railway station (1932-1935) and the church of St. J...
Walnut