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.
Giovanni Michelucci's set of six "Torbecchia" Dining Chairs, designed for Poltro
By Giovanni Michelucci, Poltronova
Located in Almelo, NL
Giovanni Michelucci's set of six "Torbecchia" Dining Chairs, designed for Poltronova in Italy 1964. Giovanni Michelucci's set of six "Torbecchia" Dining Chairs, designed for Poltron...
Rush, Walnut
Giovanni Michelucci “Torbecchia” Solid Walnut Bench, 1960s
By Poltronova, Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Dronten, NL
A sculptural and profoundly architectural piece, this “Torbecchia” bench by Giovanni Michelucci exemplifies the masterful balance between craftsmanship and modernist form that define...
Walnut
Giovanni Michelucci “Torbecchia” Dining Chairs for Poltronova, 1964, Set of 6
By Poltronova, Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Giovanni Michelucci “Torbecchia” dining chairs for Poltronova, Italy, 1964, set of six. Crafted from dark-stained beechwood with woven straw seats, the "Torbecchia" dining chairs fo...
Straw, Wood
Set of Six "Torbecchia" Chairs by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova, Italy, 196
By Giovanni Michelucci, Poltronova
Located in Milan, IT
Set of six "Torbecchia" chairs by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova. Sturdy solid walnut frame and movable leather-padded seating.
Leather, Walnut
Giovanni Michelucci 'Torbecchia' Dining Table and Bench for Poltronova, 1965
By Giovanni Michelucci, Poltronova
Located in Hellouw, NL
An architectural dining set with poetic tension, this 'Torbecchia' ensemble designed by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova in 1965 reveals a lesser-seen refinement within the brutali...
Walnut
Midcentury pair of benches by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova, Italy, 1965
By Giovanni Michelucci, Poltronova
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Pair of walnut benches by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova, Italy, 1964 Designed by renowned Italian architect Giovanni Michelucci and produced by Poltronova in 1964, this rare pai...
Wood, Walnut
Giovanni Michelucci “Torbecchia” Dining Chair for Poltronova, 1964
By Poltronova, Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Giovanni Michelucci “Torbecchia” Dining Chairs for Poltronova, Italy, 1964. Crafted from dark-stained beechwood with woven straw seats, the "Torbecchia" dining chairs for Poltronova...
Straw, Wood
'Torbecchia' bench by Giovanni Michelucci Production Poltronova 1960s
By Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Milano, IT
Bench designed by Michelucci in 1964 in walnut veneer wood.
Walnut
Italian Modern Wood Bench Torbecchia by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova 1970s
By Giovanni Michelucci, Poltronova
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern wood Bench Torbecchia by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova, 1970s Bench mod. Torbecchia entirely in solid wood. The rectangular seat...
Wood
Set of Four Torbecchia Dining Chairs by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova
By Poltronova, Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Dronten, NL
Set of 4 dining chairs from the Torbecchia series, designed by brutalist architect Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova, 1964. Solid walnut structure with seats upholstered in cane. ...
Cane, Walnut
Giovanni Michelucci “Torbecchia” Dining Chairs for Poltronova, 1964, Set of 2
By Poltronova, Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Giovanni Michelucci “Torbecchia” Dining Chairs for Poltronova, Italy, 1964, set of two. Crafted from dark-stained beechwood with woven straw seats, the "Torbecchia" dining chairs fo...
Straw, Wood
Giovanni Michelucci, Table mod. Ragno and four chairs mod. Scapolare, 1980s
By Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Rivoli, IT
Very rare set of table and chairs signed Michelucci. Wooden furniture designed by architect Giovanni Michelucci (1891-1990) were born from the purpose of establishing a solid balance...
Velvet, Glass, Wood
$3,636Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 31.89 in W 19.3 in D 18.51 in
Dining Chairs by Silvio Coppola for Bernini, 1964, Set of 6
By Silvio Coppola
Located in Milano, IT
Silvio Coppola for Bernini, set of 6 dining chairs, walnut and black leather, Italy, 1960s. The chairs are sturdy, dark wood frame and black leather seats. The backrest is also made...
Leather, Wood
Rare 1960s Walnut Adrian Pearsall Sculptural Stool Bench Ottoman
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Inc. from the 'Stingray' Series. Can be matched with the Model 2466-C Lounge Armchair. Tight and sturdy frame. Architectural form, with staved A...
Walnut
$5,503 / set
H 29.14 in Dm 47.25 in
Midcentury Giovanni Offredi Paracarro Dining Table and Chairs for Saporiti, 1973
By Giovanni Offredi, Saporiti
Located in Roma, IT
Unique "Paracarro" model dining table with a set of four chairs. It was designed by Giovanni Offredi and produced by Saporiti in Italy during 1973. Based on a prototype project, i...
Concrete, Steel, Chrome
Set of Six McGuire Dining Chairs
By McGuire
Located in San Francisco, CA
On offer is a set of six dining chairs, two armchairs and four side chairs, each with its own chocolate brown seat cushion, by McGuire of San Francisco. The chairs’ design blends nat...
Leather, Upholstery, Bamboo, Rattan
Pair Of 1960s Locus Solus Chairs By Gae Aulenti For Poltronova
By Poltronova
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A refined example of Italian modernist design, this pair of 1960s Locus Solus chairs by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova showcases a bold yet refined tubular aesthetic. Constructed from co...
Chrome
1960s Organic Bench
Located in New York, NY
1960s organic bench. Solid walnut bench with dovetails. Can also be used as a coffee table.
Walnut
Pair of Billy Baldwin Style Midcentury X-Form Benches
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Mid-century modern pair of upholstered benches or ottoman stools made in the manner and style of Billy Baldwin. Labeled and made by artisans in California. The benches feature a tuft...
Fabric, Wood
$12,156 / set
H 31.11 in W 19.69 in D 20.87 in
Set of 4 Niels Otto Moller 1964 Dining Chairs with Arms of Teak
By Niels Otto Møller
Located in London, GB
This set of four teak dining chairs by Niels Otto Moller. Round label dates these chairs as made between 1964 and 1969. Chairs require new black leather, which is included in listing...
Teak
Set of 4 dining chairs
By Aksel Bender Madsen
Located in 'S-HERTOGENBOSCH, NL
Set of 4 dining chairs by Danish designer Aksel Bender Madsen for Bovenkamp (Netherlands), 60ties. In a good condition. Recently reupholstered. Fabric:...
Fabric, Wood
$4,950
H 36.62 in W 25.99 in D 28.35 in
Pair of Giovanni Michelucci Armchairs in Blue Velvet, Italy, 1940s
By Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Almelo, NL
Pair of Giovanni Michelucci Armchairs in Blue Velvet, Italy, 1940s A striking pair of architectural armchairs designed by Italian architect Giovanni Michelucci in the 1940s. These r...
Upholstery, Velvet, Walnut
Baker Expandable Dining Table (1965)
By Michael Taylor, Baker Furniture Company
Located in Chicago, IL
Baker Expandable Dining Table (1965) Features: Four 18" leaves (fully extends to 138") Design: Overlapping brass ring edge details, brass...
Brass
$9,000
H 14.18 in W 61.03 in D 18.12 in
Giovanni Michelucci Coffee Table for Galleria Vigna Nuova, 1962
By Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Giovanni Michelucci coffee table for the Galleria Vigna Nuova in Florence, brass and copper, Italy, 1962. This coffee table is a unique piece designed by Giovanni Michelucci in 196...
Brass
Sold
H 15.75 in W 72.45 in D 15.75 in
Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova Italian Wood Midcentury Bench Consolle 1960s
By Giovanni Michelucci, Poltronova
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian midcentury modern design walnut bench or console table serie Torbecchia designed by Giovanni Michelucci and produced by Poltronova, Italy 1964. Fire-branded G. Michelucci tra...
Walnut
Torbecchia Solid Walnut Bench by Giovanni Michelucci
By Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Oirlo, LI
Bench from the Torbecchia series, designed by brutalist architect Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova, 1964. Solid walnut structure with beautiful edge detail similar to Charlotte Per...
Walnut
Sold
H 29.53 in W 19.69 in D 20.48 in
Giovanni Michelucci “Torbecchia” Dining Chairs for Poltronova, 1964, Set of 4
By Poltronova, Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Giovanni Michelucci “Torbecchia” dining chairs for Poltronova, Italy, 1964, set of four. Crafted from dark-stained beechwood with woven straw seats, the "Torbecchia" dining chairs f...
Straw, Wood
Giovanni Michelucci 'Torbecchia' Italian dining chairs
By Giovanni Michelucci, Poltronova
Located in BE
Giovanni Michelucci 'Torbecchia' dining chairs Beautiful dining chairs by renowned Italian designer Giovanni Michelucci. He designed these chairs in the 1960s for the famous manufac...
Walnut
Sold
H 15.75 in W 72.05 in D 15.75 in
'Torbecchia' bench by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova Anni 70s
By Giovanni Michelucci, Poltronova
Located in Milano, IT
Bench, walnut veneer wood. Good conditions.
Nutwood
Sold
H 29.14 in W 20.48 in D 16.93 in
G. Michelucci for Poltronova Italian Midcentury Wood Leather Dining Chairs 1960s
By Giovanni Michelucci, Poltronova
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Set of four dining chairs from the Torbecchia S.20 series designed by Giovanni Michelucci and produced by Poltronova with walnut frame and leather upholst...
Leather, Nutwood
Sold
H 29.53 in W 19.69 in D 20.48 in
Torbecchia Chairs in walnut and rush, Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova, 1960s
By Giovanni Michelucci, Poltronova
Located in amstelveen, NL
Set of 8 dining chairs from the Torbecchia series, designed by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova in 1964. Solid walnut structure with seats upholstered in rush. The solid wood chai...
Straw, Walnut
Bench Torbecchia Walnut Italy 1970s
By Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Milano, IT
Bench; stained walnut veneered wood.
Walnut
Sold
H 29.14 in W 20.67 in D 19.49 in
Group of Six Chairs Giovanni Michelucci Beech Raffia 1960s-1970s
By Poltronova, Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Milano, IT
Group of six chairs designed by Michelucci in 1964; stained beech wood, seats in woven raffia.
Raffia, Beech
Chairs, Beech and Straw, 1970s G. Michelucci, Poltronova
By Giovanni Michelucci, Poltronova
Located in Milano, IT
Group of 4 chairs; walnut stained beechwood, straw seat.
Straw, Beech
Bench, Walnut Veneer, 1970s G. Michelucci, Poltronova
By Giovanni Michelucci, Poltronova
Located in Milano, IT
Bench; walnut veneered wood. Good conditions, shows small signs of wear.
Walnut
Sold
H 19.69 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
Mid -Century Art Deco Stool or Nightstand by Giovanni Michelucci in Walnut
By Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Vigonza, Padua
A Mid-Century 1940s Art Deco stool or nightstand by Giovanni Michelucci in walnut Restored and finished to shellac Measure: cm H 50 x W 40 x D 40 Giovanni Michelucci The patriarch ...
Walnut