Richard Sapper: acclaimed German designer dies aged 83

Richard Sapper, the German-born industrial designer considered one of the most influential of his generation, has died aged 83.

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The German designer Richard Sapper has died aged 83
The German designer Richard Sapper has died aged 83
(Image credit: Press)

Richard Sapper, the German-born industrial designer considered one of the most influential of his generation, has died aged 83.

Based in Milan for much of his professional life, Sapper maintained a singular approach to design, producing feted works that synthesised both aesthetic simplicity and a high level of technical understanding and formal discipline (albeit infused with warmth and humour).

Born in Munich in 1932, Sapper initially worked as a stylist for Daimler Benz in Stuttgart, before taking posts at the offices of Gio Ponti and and La Rinascente in Milan after moving there in 1958. He founded his own studio a year later.

Over the following half century, Sapper produced a multifaceted body of work, from furniture to kitchen appliances, cars and even ships, designing for companies as diverse as IBM and Alessi (for whom he conceived a number of his best known products: the ThinkPad laptops for the former; and an espresso machine and kettle for the latter), Artemide, B&B Italia, Castelli, Heuer, Kartell, Knoll International, Lenovo, Lorenz, Magis, Molteni Unifor and Pirelli.

Sapper was the recipient of myriad international design prizes (not least ten Compasso d'Oro awards) and his work is held in the permanent collections of the V&A in London and New York's Museum of Modern Art, among others. In 2012, he received the Merit Cross of the Order of Merit from the President of the Federal Republic of Germany.

As reported by Phaidon – publishers of a forthcoming monograph on the designer's work – Sapper passed away on New Year's Eve. He is survived by his wife, Dorit; their three children, Carola, Mathias and Cornelia; and by three grandchildren.

Radio TS502

One of the most lauded practitioners of his generation, Sapper spent most of his working life in Milan. Pictured: Radio TS502, for Brionvega

(Image credit: Aldo Ballo)

Stovetop Espresso Maker

In a career lasting 60 years, he produced myriad feted works that synthesised both aesthetic simplicity and a high level of technical understanding and formal discipline. Pictured: Stovetop Espresso Maker, for Alessi, 1990.Courtesy Alessi

(Image credit: Aldo Ballo)

Tizio Lamp

Sapper initially worked as a stylist for Daimler Benz in Stuttgart, before taking posts at the offices of Gio Ponti and and La Rinascente in Milan after moving there in 1958. He founded his own studio a year later. Pictured: Tizio Lamp, for Artemide, 1972

(Image credit: Press)

Zoombike

Over the following half century, Sapper produced a multifaceted and extensive body of work, from furniture to kitchen appliances, cars and even ships. Pictured: Zoombike, for which Sapper received one of his ten Compasso d'Oro awards in 1998.

(Image credit: Aldo Ballo)

INFORMATION

Richard Sapper, by Jonathan Olivares, will be published by Phaidon in June 2016. For more information, visit the publisher’s website

Rosa Bertoli

Rosa Bertoli was born in Udine, Italy, and now lives in London. Since 2014, she has been the Design Editor of Wallpaper*, where she oversees design content for the print and online editions, as well as special editorial projects. Through her role at Wallpaper*, she has written extensively about all areas of design. Rosa has been speaker and moderator for various design talks and conferences including London Craft Week, Maison & Objet, The Italian Cultural Institute (London), Clippings, Zaha Hadid Design, Kartell and Frieze Art Fair. Rosa has been on judging panels for the Chart Architecture Award, the Dutch Design Awards and the DesignGuild Marks. She has written for numerous English and Italian language publications, and worked as a content and communication consultant for fashion and design brands.