Carlo Mollino: The Eccentric Visionary of Italian Design
Jan. 25, 2025 in Travel & Destinations by Charlotte Sinclair
Carlo Mollino (1905–1973) was far more than a famed Italian architect—he was also a photographer, skier, racing driver, pilot, and an unforgettable eccentric figure. Renowned for his groundbreaking furniture and visionary buildings, his creations are hailed as part of Italy’s “gold reserve” of design, epitomized by the celebrated Royal Opera House in Turin.
In 2000, Mollino’s 1949 dining table fetched six million dollars at a Sotheby’s auction, setting a record for Italian design. Unfortunately, none of his interior spaces survived in their original state, apart from Casa Mollino in Turin. Painstakingly restored by collectors Fulvio and Napoleone Ferrari, it is believed to retain over 90% of Mollino’s intended design, thanks to detailed inventories taken after his death.
Interestingly, these lavish private apartments—located on the ground floor of a 19th-century villa—served more as an artistic manifesto than a home; Mollino is said never to have spent a single night there. Today, Casa Mollino stands as a pilgrimage site for design lovers from every corner of the globe, welcoming visitors exclusively by guided tour upon email reservation.
