Gran Piano formally summarizes the philosophy of the Vignelli: the effect is achieved through the use of pure geometry forms and essential elements. The sober and severe image that distinguishes this piece of furniture in fine Macassar ebony wood, requires special care in woodworking in order to obtain clean and uniform edges. Wood thicknesses, in fact, never appear because the joints are expertly made at 45°. /
Lella Vignelli was born in Udine. She graduated from the faculty of architecture at the University of Venice and immediately obtained a scholarship at the MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) School of Architecture in Cambridge. Massimo Vignelli was born in Milan in 1931 and studied architecture in Milan and Venice. With his wife Lella he carries out activities in the field of graphics, corporate identity programs for industry, packaging, signage for buildings and transport, industrial design, furniture, interiors and exhibitions. In 1960, they founded the “Lella & Massimo, design and architecture office” in Milan. After moving to the United States in the late 1960s, they founded "Vignelli Associates" in New York in 1971. Their work has entered the permanent collections of some international museums, such as the Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Copper - Hewit Museum in New York, the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Montreal and Die Neue Sammlung in Munich. Among the many honors attributed to Lella and Massimo Vignelli stand out: in 1973 the Industrial Arts Medal, American Institute of Architects; honorary degrees from Parsons School of Design, New York and Corcoran School of Art, Washington; in 1983 the Gold Medal of the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) and the Gold Medal for Design of the National Arts Club of New York in 1991. Among the many awards to Massimo Vignelli: Triennial Grand Prix 1964; Compasso d'Oro from the Industrial Design Association (ADI) 1964; First Presidential Design Award, awarded in 1985 by the President of the United States, for the National Park Publications Program; Art Directors' Club, Hall of Fame 1982; Interior Design, Hall of Fame 1988; Honorary Degree from: University Institute of Architecture of Venice; Rhode Island School of Design, Newport, RI; Pratt Institute, New York. /