Nivola, Poltrona Frau, 2018
©Foto Massimo Listri
Roberto Lazzeroni (Pisa 1950)
Lazzeroni graduated in Fine Art in Florence in 1974 and studied at the Faculty of Architecture. It was in this period that he met his mentor, Adolfo Natalini. He embarked on his professional career in 1980, designing a series of residential buildings, including Villa Firenze in Florence (1981), Villa Montespertoli in Chianti (1983) and Villa Hinkelman in Porto Cervo (1986). His organic approach to interior design led him to pursue industrial design. With a keen interest in the history of design, he has retained strong links with the Italian culture of the living space. This signature style, which he likes to define as sentimental design, eschews aesthetic frivolity and the severity of minimalism, with his objects placed within the tradition of cabinetmaking and artisanship. In 1988, he was appointed art director at Ceccotti Collezioni and has collaborated over the years with Acerbis, Baxter, Casamilano, Driade, Flexform, Gervasoni, Giorgetti, Gufram, Lema, Poliform, Poltrona Frau and Zanotta. He has also worked in the contract sector, on design projects including Maslak Yapi Penthouse in Istanbul (2011), the Pellini Showroom in Shanghai (2012), the Ferrari Retailers Project in Maranello (2013) and Headquarter Brand Management & Co Ltd. in Shanghai (2014). Exhibitions and recognitions include: Techniques Discretes in Paris (1991), Conran Foundation in London (1992), Elegant Techniques in Chicago (1992), La Fabbrica Estetica in Paris (1993), Dall’Albergo alla Nave in Genoa (1993) and Costruire il Mobile in Milan (1999).
“Nivola stands out for its quick and light design, its simple and precise lines resulting in a compact and rounded armchair. The soft seat, which protrudes slightly forward from the armrests, is combined with an enveloping backrest. It is supported by an ash wood base. Nivola exudes a feminine and romantic allure.” (Roberto Lazzeroni)