ZANOTTA ACQUIRES THE ARTISTIC ARCHIVE OF CARLO MOLLINO
The company enriches its historical archive with 30 projects, original drawings, and sketches created by the Turin-based architect, designer and photographer
April 14, 2026
Nova Milanese, 15 April 2026 - 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.
On the occasion of the upcoming edition of Milan Design Week (20-26 April 2026), Zanotta will unveil for the first time the Tavolo Vertebra, an extraordinary project by Carlo Mollino that has never before been realised through industrial production.
The Vertebra table exemplifies Mollino’s approach to furniture design, perceived not as mere decoration, but as an extension of the body in motion. Its sinuous, almost skeletal structure evokes anatomical forms and dynamic trajectories, reflecting the sensibility of a designer who was also a skier, racing driver, and aviation enthusiast. Presented in the Zanotta flagship store within an immersive installation inspired by Mollino’s interiors — where curtains fluidly define space — and by the organic forms of the human body combined with the dynamism of movement across snow, track, and sky, the table will be showcased in a dedicated dining setting, marking a significant moment in the revival of his visionary work.
Vertebra Table by Carlo Mollino - Courtesy of Zanotta
Within the installation at the Zanotta store, a curated selection of pieces realised by the company as a tribute to Carlo Mollino will also be featured, including the Fenis chair, characterised by its sculptural wooden structure; Gilda, an elegant adjustable armchair combining mechanical ingenuity with refined comfort; Arabesco, a low table distinguished by its fluid, decorative lines; Ardea, a seating piece marked by its sinuous, enveloping form; and Milo, a mirror notable for its dynamic composition and structural lightness, among others—further highlighting the enduring relevance and expressive power of the designers’ design language.
NOTES TO THE EDITORS
ABOUT ZANOTTA
Zanotta is designed by passion - bolstered by a pioneering approach and inspired by radical design ideas.
Internationally recognised as one of the most iconic Italian design brands in the world, Zanotta has always been a catalyst of ideas, people, creativity and research. Zanotta is a company with a strong design vision, future-oriented and with a strong attention to culture and a pinch of irony. Originally specialised in tailored upholstery, over the years, Zanotta has opened up to the realisation of design objects for the home.
The numerous products in the collection, realised by the great masters and contemporary designers -including Achille Castiglioni, Gae Aulenti, Marco Zanuso, Ettore Sottsass, Alfredo Häberli, Ross Lovegrove, Ora Ïto, Philippe Nigro, Philippe Malouin, Muller Van Severen, Calvi Brambilla, Zaven among others - are timeless icons exhibited in the most important museums in the world and recognised by several international awards, such as 5 Compasso d'oro Awards.
Founded by Aurelio Zanotta in 1954, the brand has stood out as a promoter of the democratic language and "extra-ordinary everyday life", a pioneer of innovative and sometimes disruptive projects. Zanotta’s production is entirely made in Italy, mainly in the workshop of Nova Milanese, and is in constant development of material quality and sustainable processes. The headquarters also hosts Zanotta: Lab, an exhibition and experiential hub designed to share skills, values, behaviours and strategies. In addition to the collection, Zanotta Edizioni is a limited selection of handmade collectible works, which combine design with applied art.
Since the 1960s, Zanotta has conquered the international scene with emblematic and timeless objects, innovative in terms of aesthetic and functional research, as well as in the attention to the values of quality and Italian know-how. 2023 marked a new chapter in the history of Zanotta with the acquisition of the brand by Cassina, followed by the opening of a new flagship store in Milan in 2024, launched on the occasion of the company's 70th Anniversary
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