Born in Milan in 1935, Mario Bellini graduated in architecture from the Milan Polytechnic in 1959, and set up practice as an architect in the early sixties.  <br /><br /> His work ranges from urban design and architecture to furnishing and industrial products. Renowned as designer, in 1963 he began his relationship with Olivetti in charge of industrial design, and went on to work with other companies both in Italy and abroad, amongst which Cassina. He won the Compasso d'Oro and other international awards more than once, and his work is exhibited in the MoMA collection in New York, which, in 1987, dedicated a personal retrospective exhibition to his work. Since the 80's he has worked mainly in the field of architecture all over the world. His most well-known work includes the Portello buildings for the Milan Fair, the conference centre of Villa Erba at Como, the extension of the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne and of the International Fair of Essen. From 1986 to 1991 he was director of the Domus magazine. In 1987, in continuing the work of his studio opened in the 60's, he founded Mario Bellini Associates, of which he is the president, whose services run from masterplanning to architecture and the design of stands and sets for exhibitions and museums. In 1996 product and furniture design were transferred to the Bellini Atelier, which he founded with his son Claudio.