Paolo Castelli: Family Tradition And Contemporary Design

The story of the Castelli family in the field of design dates back more than 140 years ago, when Ettore Castelli opened the first cabinetry in Bologna, giving way to a long entrepreneurial adventure, full of passion, Italian know-how and innovation. Today, ​Paolo Castelli carries on the family commitment with the same spirit, designing sophisticated collections distinguished by great care for details and materials, thanks to the collaboration with prestigious designer and Italian artisans.

Your family’s history has been inextricably linked to the world of design since the end of the 19th century. What prompted you to continue your family tradition and how did this 140-year story begin?

On the day of my college graduation, my father offered me a job at Modular, our small family business of interior curtains - that was in 1994. I accepted thinking it would be a commitment of only a few months, I surely never imagined it would be the first step of my journey into the world of furniture. Somehow, the passion for the "bello e fatto ad arte” (t/n: beautiful and artfully done) is in our DNA, starting from my great-grandfather who was a cabinetmaker. It is an honor for me to continue my family’s amazing story, to which I have added my personal passion for design.

The brand Paolo Castelli is not limited to creating design pieces with a unique character but also extends to large-scale projects of excellence, from the Italian Pavilion at the 2015 Expo to the Mandarin Oriental in Milan. What project has fascinated you the most and why?

There are many projects I feel connected to. Perhaps the most special of all is the Cini Foundation Library in Venice, on the Island of San Giorgio. A technically complex yet personally exciting project, both for its magnificent location and the purity of the planning by Michele De Lucchi, who transformed the monastery’s interior into a temple of culture with incredible simplicity. It was an honor to have the opportunity to participate in such a special creation.

The Greenkiss Collection consists of two major themes: eco-friendly design and the Italian and French styles of the 1950s and 1970s. Which piece from the collection best represents the union of these two themes?

All the pieces from the Greenkiss Collection are born with an eco-sustainable soul. The delicate French touch that characterizes them gives them extra appeal. The new outdoor collection Imane captures all our expertise and sets new sustainability standards. Currently, our choices are naturally aimed at environmentally friendly materials and production systems that affirm a new, essential product culture.

The brand Paolo Castelli stands out for its ability to work on complex projects and products without ever losing sight of its deeply artisanal soul. What does Made in Italy craftsmanship represent for you?

I recall an interview from many years ago in which design master Vico Magistretti said that even his most beautiful sketch would have been useless without the skills of craftsmen. Today, our company’s fast prototyping and heavy digital inclination have revolutionized the stages of design and prototype research; yet, the know-how of our artisans (who are exclusively Italian) remains fundamental in the production phase and represents the difference between Paolo Castelli collections and mass-produced product designs. In my mind, Made in Italy is just that: the ability to give our valuable traditions a contemporary soul. It is a concept in progress but rooted in the artisan fabric of our territory, linked to the culture of beauty that is in our DNA.

Your collection Homage to Morandi represents a tribute to one of the greatest Italian artists as well as a creative bond with your hometown. What is the significance of your territory in creating this collection and, more generally, your artistic journey?

I know I'm lucky because I was raised on tortellini and design, and I owe that mostly to my father. My background is in finance, but I have designed and created since I was a child. Growing up, the implausible inventions of my childhood became concrete projects, achievable dreams. Our wonderful territory, full of beautiful and good things, teaches the value of hard work but also the pleasure of appreciating life. Morandi was also born here; in his paintings, I can feel the colors and shadows of Bologna, I see the blurred outlines of the hills wrapped in mist. These unique suggestions are deeply rooted in the creative imagery of those who grew up in this region.

The cult of beauty and the pursuit of formal elegance are the staple aesthetic principles of all Paolo Castelli designs. Where do you draw inspiration from in your pursuit of new forms and artistic ideas?

Everything stems from the feeling that a style responding to my principles of aesthetics and comfort was missing in the world of design. The new Paolo Castelli 2022 designs convey this particular attitude for an understated elegance hidden in the grace of contemporary forms and in the beauty of the details.