The Long Life of Design in Italy

Founded in 1966 by Piero Ambrogio Busnelli, B&B Italia is a leading Italian company in the international scene of design furnishings for both home and contract. Based north of Milan, the firm’s prestigious headquarters were designed by Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers in 1971. Its products have contributed to writing the history of Italian design, the adventurous history of the success of taste, technologies and creativity that have made Italy famous throughout the world and distributed the “Made in Italy” brand on international markets. The collection of B&B Italia furnishings represents contemporary culture and responds to the evolution of living habits and requirements. Contemporary furnishings that are strongly distinctive and characterised by exceptional quality and timeless elegance are the result of the unique union of creativity, innovation and industrial know-how. Published for the 50th anniversary of B&B Italia, this volume covers half a century of the company, through stories by key figures, places, and “iconic” products. The main section of the book is dedicated to drawings, ideas, designs, and images on the historic and contemporary evolution of the company’s products, image, and economic reality.