Jo Colombo

Cesare Joe Colombo was born in Milan in 1930, training as a painter at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera, Milan until 1949 before studying architecture at the Politecnico di Milano until 1954. In 1962 he established his own office in Milan focusing on architectural and interior design projects, revealing his interest in function born out of structures with strong sculptural qualities. He went on to produce chairs for Kartell including the Universale 4860 which was the first adult sized chair to be produced by injection moulded plastic (ABS). This led to further designs for furniture, lighting, wrist watches and accessories for Alessi and O Luce - amongst many others in a highly prolific career. He died prematurely in 1971.