Let us discover together how this visionary company became unique in style, distinguished by technology and design, becoming one of the leading Italian producers and taking Made in Italy worldwide. The path to success and recognition of this Italian producer was achieved through passion and master handcrafting, which will confirm these three pillars:
1/ The creation of innovative products made in glass and shaped by the expertise eyes of international designers and architects:
- The first product Vittorio Livi has created was the pouf Onda in 1973.
- Later, the company starts to collaborate with several designers and architects of international fame creating design products, first with Angelo Cortesi who designed the curved glass table Ponte in 1977.
- In 1984 Vittorio Livi manages to create a revolutionary product – the first table made from a single sheet of glass and names it Ragno (spider, from IT).
- Next item made of single sheet of glass is another innovated product, the first curved armchair Ghost designed by Cini Boeri in 1987, winning first prize in the competition magazines “Reader’s Referendum”, “Interni” and “Forum Design Award”.
- In 1988 launches the first edition of the magazine “Cristallo Forma Cultura” (The Glass Shapes Culture), produced and published by FIAM. In the same year, Vittorio Livi becomes Honorary Citizen of New York by the mayor, Edward Koch.
- In 1989 Massimo Morozzi designed the coffee table Hydra.
- At the Art & Design Exhibition from 1991, held in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan, were presented works made by Enrico Baj, Renata Boero, Emilio Isgrò, Walter Valentini and Luigi Veronesi.
- The same year, in 1991, followed a collaboration with two prestigious designers, Giugiaro Design and Enzo Mari, which gave birth to two extraordinary new tables Papiro and Montefeltro.
- In 1992, Vittorio Livi purchases “Villa Miralfiore” in Pesaro and transforms it into a museum, the only museum in the world dedicated exclusively to curved glass.
- In 1995, Walter Valentini creates in FIAM Artistic Research Laboratory and names his work in glass “Le Misure, il Cielo”; the same year is launched a new range Livi’t by FIAM.
- The year 1998 will be remembered for three new star collaborations, and consequently the launch of three new innovative products: the coffee table Vulcano designed by Vico Magistretti, the mirror Caadre - first products in which curved glass is combined with a mirror, and the Clear collection by Ron Arad.
- In 2000 the Ghost armchair is selected to be printed on a series of stamps by the National Italian Postal Service dedicated to Made in Italy designs, which is a huge privilege and national recognition.
- In 2001 Vittorio Livi receives Compasso d’Oro industrial design award for his career; the same year was released coffee table Neutra created by Rodolfo Dordoni.
- In 2006, Vittorio Livi and Giuliano Vangi have created the Crucifix of Pesaro, a glass sculpture that was presented to the Pope Benedict XVI.
- The partnership with Dante Benini and Luca Gonzo lead to the creation in 2012 of the company’s greatest success: the LLT Collection. The same year, the coffee table Macramè designed by Lucidi Pevere, wins 1st prize at the Young & Design Award competition.
- The 2013 will be the year of mirrors: Daniel Libeskind created mirror The Wing, while Doriana and Massimiliano Fuksas designed the Rosy and Lucy mirrors.
- In 2016 The Leonard Committee present FIAM with the Quality Award 2015.
- In 2017 FIAM and Philippe Starck celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Caadre mirror, introducing a new bronze version and the backlit version.
- In 2019 FIAM receives the Interior Design Best of the Year 2019 Award for Coral Beach designed by Mac Stopa in the category Residential Dining Tables.
2/ The evolution of industrialized glassmaking process by FIAM:
- The company’s technological know-how and the ability of master’s glassmakers gave FIAM the potential to create unique embossed ornamental looks to the handcrafted glass plates: glass panels with embossed ornaments, also in high relieves, widely customized in size, color, and shape.
- Using advanced technology FIAM can produce now glass of great dimensions, big thickness and with mixed finishes, qualities that for a long time was a great ambitious but unthinkable because of the manufacturing challenges it inquires.
3/ High-quality and unique furniture pieces made of glass, that withstand durability in time and enjoy additional benefits of custom-made pieces by the company master glassmakers.
Here are the five of my favorite pieces:
- The monolithic armchair GHOST designed by Cini Boeri, a timeless design objects made of 12 mm-thick transparent curved glass (today available also in colored glass).
- The dining table CORAL BEACH designed by Mac Stopa for FIAM, inspired by nature, organic forms and modern architectural design, a synergy between modern futuristic design and traditional artisan manufacturing. The base structure is painted “Lava Grey” matt finish with top th.15 mm in glass fused and tempered, available in neutral finish or black lacquered with metal shades “Grigio Lava” or “Night Blue”; my favorite is neutral top, reminding a water’s calming surface.
- The console WAVES designed by Ludovica and Roberto Palomba for FIAM with its minimalistic and strong appeal is characterized using DV Glass - an innovative reassembled laminated glass that is transformed into a structural glass thanks to a high temperature melting process. This console is composed of a 23 mm DV Glass top, available in transparent or colored striped glass, fixed on a base in opaque Titanium or in Black Glossy Nickel finishes; my favorite is base in black glossy nickel and top DV Glass golden-white-grey.
- The wall mirror POP fused in back-silvered bronze glass designed by Marcel Wanders Studio. Its sized W116 x H216 cm with a 5 mm flat central mirror sized W65 x H165 cm, a true central piece for classical and modern interiors.
- The cupboard in curved glass PLIE designed by Design Studio Klass. Modern, minimal, and stylish, this cupboard consisting of back in curved 8 mm Nero95 black glass, a top in 10 mm smoked glass, the two doors in 6 mm curved extra-light glass, partially back-painted, inside 2 shelves in 8 mm extra-light glass, of which one back-painted in the same color as the doors in matt black lacquered wood, feet, uprights and profiles in matt black lacquered metal. Doors are on push-pull closing mechanism. Inside lighting with LEDs (optional).
For a complete vision of the collection, please visit the company’s website www.fiamitalia.it . Enjoy the original high-tech glassmaking objects for home and offices 100% Made in Italy.
Best wishes,
Nadiya
MetropolitanMe Blogger