History: De Padova

Today

In February 2019 ADL joins the Boffi | De Padova Group with an initial acquisition of 50% of shares. Boffi and ADL officialised a strategic alliance to introduce a new important activity to the Group’s offer of interior design solutions and to further develop its industrial expansion, initiated in recent years with the merger of the furniture brands De Padova and MA/U Studio.

In January 2017, De Padova signed a partnership with MA/U Studio, a Danish start-up which manufactures innovative furniture and shelving systems for both home and office spaces. The MA/U Studio deal is part of the development strategy of a complete interiors project, through collaborations, partnerships and acquisitions, in order to offer completed and sophisticated design solutions.

In April of 2015, the company was acquired by Boffi.
The union of De Padova and Boffi will allow the companies to collaborate on an international joint distribution program, with their shared passion and Italian heritage, making the companies leaders in contemporary furniture design. Starting October 28th, 2015, De Padova has a new address: via Santa Cecilia 7, a cross street of Corso Monforte. After 50 years in the extraordinary space on Corso Venezia, De Padova is radically changing strategy for its Milanese flagship store.

The 2010s

De Padova showing for the first time, the models of Achille Castiglioni’s architecture and exhibits. “Effetto Castiglioni” A tribute to an unfamiliar side of Achille Castiglioni.

The 2000s

Maddalena De Padova wins the Compasso d’Oro for her career. The area of the ex-factory I.C.F. in Vimodrone, near Milan, is reopened, totally renewed and enlarged: home to the company’s headquarters. Patricia Urquiola and Nendo are part of the designers team. Maddalena De Padova completes the phase of transition in the company, passing the helm to her children Valeria and Luca, who further develop its managerial structure.

The ’90s

Pierluigi Cerri designs a series of displays for the De Padova shop windows, adding another unique aspect to the company’s style. Important steps are also taken in the contract sector. At the end of the ’90s the company begins to work with Renzo Piano on the furnishings of the cafe of the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris. This collaboration would continue in the future, with the furnishings for the Morgan Library’s restaurant in New York and the headquarters of Il Sole 24Ore daily newspaper in Milan.

The ’80s

De Padova cedes the ICF brand with the license to make Herman Miller products, and launches a line of furniture and objects under the De Padova trademark. “Edizioni De Padova” is founded, which would later become “è De Padova”, with the collaboration of great designers like Achille Castiglioni and Dieter Rams, and above all Vico Magistretti. The store on Corso Venezia is like an eye, open to distant worlds: that of the Shakers represents the high point.

The ’70s

After Fernando’s death, Maddalena De Padova runs the company herself, supervising production and distribution. Vico Magistretti begins his long collaboration with the company in this period, designing a collection of office furniture.

The ’60s

On a trip to Basel Maddalena De Padova happens to discover the Wire Chair by Charles Eames. A few months later, Maddalena meets the American company Herman Miller and acquires a license to manifacture the products designed by Charles Eames and George Nelson in Italy. Founding of ICF De Padova, with headquarters in Vimodrone for the production in Italy of the office furnishings of Herman Miller. The large showroom is opened at corso Venezia in Milan.

The ’50s

Fernando and Maddalena De Padova begin their business activities by importing Scandinavian furniture and objects, sold at the store on via Montenapoleone in Milan. This marks the debut of design from Northern Europe in Italy: a revolution that has had a permanent impact on our way of living.

History