RAFFAELLA CRESPI
Raffaella Crespi (b. 1929 Milan - d. 2011) graduated with a degree in Architecture from the Polytechnic in Milan in 1955. In 1969 she began teaching at the Polytechnic and in 1980 became a full Professor of Technology of Architecture and Industrial Design and remained teaching there until 2001. Raffaella was among the founders of ADI (Industrial Design Association), the magazine "Italia Nostra" and the foundation "Terragni" of Como. From 1973 to 1977 Raffaella was president of the 'Order of Architects' in Milan. Crespi was the first woman to hold this position.
Raffaella met engineer and architect Marcello Grisotti, also a professor, in Bari and then later at the Polytechnic of Milan. They began a collaboration and she was hired as editor of the magazine "Architettura/Cantiere'. Raffaella oversaw many exhibitions of international importance, such as "The theater in the Weimar Republic" at the Palazzo delle Stelline in 1979 and 'Puppets, marionettes and puppets from the eighteenth century to the present day' at the Royal Palace in 1980.
Crespi's works are displayed at museums around the world, such as, the MOMA, New York, Tokyo, Paris, London. In 1974 she directed the series “Researches of Technology of Architecture” for the publisher Franco Angeli and in 1988, the series “Design” for Hoepli. Raffaella Crespi is known for her architectural work as well as her streamlined and uniquely shaped seating designs.
