The wellspring of inspiration still resides within the studio.
We visited the studio of the late Castiglioni, which still exists in the heart of Milan, Italy.

Achille Castiglioni, a titan of modern design, passed away in 2002.
While Achille may be the most recognized, the three brothers—Livio (1911-1979), Pier Giacomo (1913-1968), and Achille (1918-2002)—ran a design firm together.
Their legacy is truly remarkable, not only evidenced by their seven Compasso d'Oro awards but also by their perspective and ideas, which continue to influence many, including myself, to this day.

This year, my long-held wish to visit their studio was finally realized. I had known from magazines that visits were possible, but the timing had never been right. Judging from photographs, the sheer volume of objects and their organized arrangement create an irresistible space for anyone involved in making things.

Arriving at 10 AM (Condé Nast is next door), I was already intrigued by the interior visible through the windows.
Upon entering, a woman who had served as his secretary for 16 years guided us through each room with practiced ease and meticulous detail. My eyes darted around, captivated by everything on display. I was particularly mesmerized by the tall, white display cases.
It was truly packed with an incredible variety of items.

It felt as if we were peering directly into the minds of the Castiglioni brothers.
Everywhere, there were industrial parts and wooden objects collected by him, all serving as sources of inspiration. My recent travels through Italy and Paris seemed to connect various impressions from previous European journeys. Perhaps what one can feel in this environment is the power of diverse creativity stemming from these great individuals.
In contrast, the impression from America was one of stylistic diversity, particularly evident in the styles of shops.

Throughout the studio, objects that served as inspiration, alongside chairs and tables designed from those inspirations, were arranged in abundance and with meticulous order (some are still produced and sold by companies like Flos and Zanotta).

He must have possessed an extraordinary capacity for both honest learning and the flexible interpretation that leads to one's own unique perspective.

Castiglioni was truly one of the figures who deeply understood anonymous design.
Their keen eye for excellent existing products sparked their curiosity, leading to the creation of new things. The timing of the era also aligned perfectly with their experiments, forging an unprecedented design movement.

Currently, the studio staff are engaged in the daily task of digitizing the vast archive of materials left behind.
This studio can be visited by appointment in the mornings. If you have the chance to visit Milan, I highly recommend it.