Alberto Meda: The Gentle Engineer Who Designs Lightness.

Awaiting a new chapter with Colombo Design.

After creating a subtle sense of anticipation across our social channels throughout October, it is now time to shine the spotlight on the man behind the design.

A true master, an engineer with the soul of a poet, and a valued partner of Colombo Design: Alberto Meda.

If we had to describe Alberto Meda in one word, that word would be “balance”.

The perfect balance between technical rigor and human sensitivity, between structural tension and visual lightness. This is the stylistic signature that has made Meda one of the most respected and influential figures in Italian and international design — a man whose fascinating story has long been intertwined with that of Colombo Design.

Born in 1945 in Tremezzina, on the shores of Lake Como — a place that perhaps first instilled in him a sense of natural elegance — Meda did not begin as an architect. He graduated in Mechanical Engineering from the Polytechnic University of Milan in 1969. This background is the key to understanding his entire design philosophy.

Where others see only shape, Meda sees structure, performance, and an intelligent relationship between materials.

His career took off quickly: first as Technical Director at Kartell, then as a consultant for major companies such as Alfa Romeo, before becoming an independent designer sought after by some of the most renowned brands in the world — from Vitra to Luceplan, Alessi, and Philips.

A career marked by countless achievements and awards, including six Compasso d’Oro Prizes — the most prestigious recognition in Italian design — and the inclusion of his works in the Permanent collection of MoMA in New York.

But who is Alberto Meda beyond this impressive résumé?

He is a warm and engaging person, an insightful conversationalist, and a professional who approaches every project with an almost youthful curiosity. His recent solo exhibition at the Triennale di Milano, appropriately titled “Tensione e Leggerezza” (“Tension and Lightness”), perfectly encapsulated his design ethos: creating objects that are essential and functional, yet capable of arousing emotions — challenging the limits of materiality with grace and intelligence.

It is precisely from this mindset that his collaboration with Colombo Design was born.

A meeting of shared values and vision that has already produced two iconic door handles within our collection: PEGASO and MADI.

Both embody Meda’s design philosophy: PEGASO, with its aerodynamic elegance and comfortable grip, and MADI, a sharper and more essential design yet rich in personality.

Each one is the result of a continuous dialogue between the designer’s creativity and Colombo Design’s production expertise, united by the same passion for quality and precision.

After the success of these projects, the journey could not end there.

For months, we have been quietly working with Alberto Meda on the next chapter of this extraordinary partnership. October was a month of subtle hints and silent anticipation; now, in November, it’s time to tell the story of the man behind the design, because to truly appreciate an object, you need to understand the mind and hand that created it.

What can you expect?

We can only say that the new handle will be a surprise — one that encapsulates the entire world of Alberto Meda.

An exercise in synthesis between shape and function, a small masterpiece of gentle engineering to be touched every day.

Once again, it will demonstrate that true innovation is born from a deep understanding of tradition and a constant drive towards the future.

The wait is almost over.

Maestro Alberto Meda has designed a new icon for our doors — and we cannot wait to reveal it.