Rinaldi, Gastone

(1920 - 2006)

Gastone Rinaldi was an Italian designer. He started designing for his father Mario’s firm, Rima. He took part in the 9th Milan Triennale in 1951. For the first time in Italy, he offered sheet iron and aluminum chairs with foam-rubber upholstery. His design philosophy was improved after meeting Giò Ponti, who encouraged him to continue creating forms and models increasingly centered on metal. Rinaldi utilized tubing, steel rods and mesh. His 'DU 30' chair won the 1954 Compasso d'Oro. After leaving his father's business, he founded a brand new chair factory in 1974, he continued to design for it until the late 1980s. His objects were nominated for the Compasso d'Oro in 1978 and 1981.