Step inside the Archivio Giovanni Sacchi. This isn’t just an archive. It’s a living testament to a master model maker. Giovanni Sacchi’s legacy lives here.
The Archivio Giovanni Sacchi in Sesto San Giovanni is more than a repository of objects. It’s a celebration of Italian design. It holds the tools and models of Giovanni Sacchi. He was the most important Italian model maker for architecture and design. His workshop once stood in Milan’s Via Sirtori. It drew top designers. Names like Marcello Nizzoli and the Castiglioni brothers frequented it. Ettore Sottsass Jr and Aldo Rossi also visited. They worked with Sacchi on countless projects.
The archive is unique. It’s a blend of physical artifacts and traditional documents. You’ll find prototypes models and finished products. There are sketches and photographs too. The archive even includes a reconstruction of Sacchi’s workshop. It’s equipped for modern model making workshops. There are both permanent and temporary exhibition spaces.
Sacchi’s career is fascinating. He started as a young apprentice. At twelve years old he was already a mechanical model maker at Ercole Marelli. Later he established his own workshop. He crafted models for foundries. He also produced models for industrial design and architecture. His models ranged from small objects to large architectural designs. His work helped shape the designs of buildings all over the world. He even received a Compasso d’Oro award in 1998.
One seemingly simple detail reveals Sacchi’s impact. He is credited with creating the ubiquitous white plastic chair. You’ve likely seen it at countless outdoor cafes. It started as a model in his Milan workshop. Now it’s a symbol of Italian design itself.
The Archivio Giovanni Sacchi is more than just a place to see models. It’s a place to understand the process of design. It demonstrates the vital role of the model maker. It’s a place where the past informs the present and inspires the future. Leave here with a deeper appreciation for the craft. And for the unsung heroes who make design dreams a reality.