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.
Torbecchia sideboard by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova
By Poltronova, Giovanni Michelucci
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
Serena Cabinet by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova 1950s Italy
By Giovanni Michelucci, Poltronova
Located in London, London
Serena cabinet with drawers by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova Walnut A sculptural and subtly architectural cabinet designed by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova in the 1950s. ...
Walnut
Mid-Century Folding Bar Cabinet, Italy circa 1950s
Located in New York, NY
An Italian modernist folding bar cabinet. Bar folds open in the middle and is finished on all sides to be free standing. Mahogany, teak, patinated...
Mahogany
$11,000
H 39.38 in W 50.4 in D 23.63 in
Giovanni Michelucci Serena Chest of Drawers for Poltronova, 1955
By Poltronova, Giovanni Michelucci
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
$7,450
H 33.27 in W 78.55 in D 21.07 in
Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova 'Torbecchia' Sideboard in Walnut
By Michele de Lucchi, Poltronova
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova, 'Torbecchia' sideboard, walnut, Italy, 1964 This exquisite Torbecchia sideboard, created by the artist Giovanni Michelucci (1891-1990), is a true...
Walnut
Italian mid-century modern wooden bar cabinet, 1950s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century modern wooden bar cabinet, 1950s Bar cabinet with a dark wood structure. The front is composed of nine square yellow lacquered wooden panels, each featuring a rai...
Wood
$4,441
H 61.03 in W 65.75 in D 19.69 in
"Torbecchia" wooden sideboard by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova, Italy, 1970
By Giovanni Michelucci, Poltronova
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
$3,506
H 28.94 in W 100.79 in D 17.13 in
Italian modern Sideboard Parioli by Stoppino and Acerbis for Acerbis, 1980s
By Lodovico Acerbis, Acerbis Design, Giotto Stoppino
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Sideboard Parioli by Giotto Stoppino and Marco Acerbis for Acerbis, 1980s Sideboard mod. Parioli composed of 4 modules with solid wood structure with matt black finis...
Aluminum
$5,260
H 33.08 in W 78.75 in D 20.87 in
Giovanni Michelucci Torbecchia Sideboard in Walnut Wood by Poltronova 1964
By Giovanni Michelucci, Poltronova
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
Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Poltronova 'Saratoga' Cabinet
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Poltronova
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Poltronova 'Saratoga', cabinet, polyester lacquered wood, Italy, 1964. Chest of drawers made in a reflective polyester lacquer. The Vignelli's were kn...
Wood, Lacquer
Milo Baughman Designed Sideboard for Directional
By Milo Baughman, Directional
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-century modern sideboard with bi-fold doors, matte black base, and matching black exposed hinges. Designed for Directional by Milo Baughman, and manufactured by Johnson Furniture...
Walnut
Slide Series Sideboard by Shigeru Uchida for Pastoe
By Pastoe
Located in Izegem, VWV
The Slide series were created in the late 1990s by Shigeru Uchida for Pastoe. This black sideboard features a silver metallic lacquered aluminum sliding door. There are six storage ...
Aluminum, Steel
$16,099 / item
H 31.5 in W 43.31 in D 19.69 in
Believe Metal Sideboard by Lorenza Bozzoli for Mingardo
By Mingardo
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Be-Lieve Decorative and at the same time essential, the enclosing console designed by Lorenza Bozzoli is a timeless piece of furniture. The line is si...
Brass, Iron
$5,594Sale Price|20% Off
H 32.68 in W 78.75 in D 20.48 in
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
Giovanni Michelucci Cabinet in Walnut
By Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giovanni Michelucci, cabinet, walnut, Italy, 1964 This cubic cabinet by Italian architect and designer Giovanni Michelucci was designed in 1964. The clear, strong lines create an architectural appearance. The symmetric front is structured by two drawers between two paired doors...
Walnut
Sold
H 38.78 in W 50.4 in D 22.84 in
Mobile 'Torbecchia' di Giovanni Michelucci per Poltronova Anni 60-70
By Poltronova, Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Milano, IT
Mobile credenza ad ante battenti e cassetti a vista, progettato da Michelucci nel 1964; legno impiallacciato noce. Buone condizioni originali.
Walnut
Sold
H 60.63 in W 66.15 in D 18.51 in
Torbecchia Credenza by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova in Walnut, Italy, 1964
By Poltronova, Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Uithoorn, NL
High 'Torbecchia' Credenza by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova in Walnut, Italy, 1964 Lovely version of a the high 'Torbecchia' in excellent condition. No damages and no discolour...
Steel
Sold
H 33.27 in W 78.55 in D 21.07 in
Mobile 'Torbecchia' Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova 1960s-70s
By Poltronova, Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Milano, IT
Sideboard with hinged doors and exposed drawers, designed by Michelucci in 1964; walnut veneered wood.
Walnut
Poltronova Torbecchia Walnut cabinet, Italy 1960s-1970s
By Poltronova, Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Milano, IT
Sideboard designed by Michelucci in 1964; walnut veneered wood.
Walnut
Poltronova Torbecchia Walnut cabinet, Italy 1964
By Poltronova, Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Milano, IT
Furniture designed by Michelucci in 1964 in walnut veneered wood.
Walnut
Giovanni Michelucci Walnut Credenza
By Giovanni Michelucci, Poltronova
Located in Dronten, NL
Cabinet from the Torbecchia series, designed by brutalist architect Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova, 1964. Walnut structure with four doors and two drawers. This architectural p...
Walnut