Gastone Rinaldi

Gastone Rinaldi (1920-2006) was an Italian architect and furniture designer known for his modernist designs and innovative use of materials. He was born in Padua, Italy, and studied architecture at the Polytechnic University of Milan.
 
Rinaldi began his career as an architect, but in the 1950s, he began designing furniture pieces that reflected his interest in modernist design principles. His furniture designs often incorporated innovative materials such as Plexiglas, foam rubber, and fiberglass, which were relatively new to furniture production at the time.
 
One of Rinaldi's most famous designs is the "Zattera" (raft) sofa, which he designed for the Italian furniture manufacturer RIMA in 1959. The sofa is characterized by its floating appearance, with a base made of rubber tubing and a seating area that appears to float on top.
 
Rinaldi's designs are held in the collections of major museums worldwide, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. His furniture pieces are highly sought after by collectors of mid-century modern design and are admired for their innovative use of materials and modernist design sensibility.