Instantly recognizable Memphis: here comes the ‚Kristall‘ side table by Michele de Lucchi. designed in 1981 for the inaugural first collection of famous ‚Memphis Milano‘, this object combines all the ingredients: flashy colours and vibrant pattern, low-end materials, simple construction – and an impressive novel shape for a side table.

The double-decker design allows for a book or magazine on the lower level while holding your glass of some colourful cocktail on the round tabletop. It really transpires the glorious eighties (in design, that is).

Michele de Lucchi studied architecture in Florence and while still a student founded the ‚Gruppo Cavart‘ in Padua, which advocated radical design. In the mid 1970s he taught industrial design at the University of Florence and became one of Ettore Sottsass‘ closest collaborators and friends.

De Lucchi planned and realized office buildings and museums all over the world, designed bestselling objects like the ‚Artemide Tolomeo‘ lamp in 1987 and curated numerous art and design exhibitions.

He was a member and co-founder of the ‚Alchimia‘ and ‚Memphis‘ group movements, whose experimental architectural and design concepts were often interpreted as an outbreak from established and formal ‚guidelines‘ like ‚form follows function‘.

Have a look at the Memphis design collections of these years – and enjoy ‚form follows fun‘.