Born in Innsbruck, Austria. He received a degree in architecture from the Turin Politechnico in 1939. In 1947 he set up a firm in Milan where he dealt with architectural and design projects.

In 1980, he founded the firm Sottsass Associates in Milan, where he continued his work as an architect and designer.

The following year he set up with colleagues, friends, and internationally renowned architects, the MEMPHIS Group, which soon became the flagship of “new design” and a landmark for the contemporary avant-garde movement.

In 1985 his relationship with Adrian and Lesley Olabuenaga, the owners of ACME Studio, began with 4 collections of jewelry. ACME was the first American company he ever designed for. Over the years many other projects followed, which eventually led to Mr. Sottsass designing this home for Lesley and Adrian.

In 1997 Sottsass completed “Casa Olabuenaga”, one of his most ambitious undertakings in Maui, Hawaii.

He was awarded both an honorary doctoral degree at the Royal College of Art in London, and a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Brooklyn Museum in New York. The house has been published all over the world and featured in several Museum exhibitions based on Mr. Sottsass’ work, including the Venice Biennale, Pompidou Centre in Paris, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and The Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY.

Mr. Sottsass is now considered the most influential designer of the late 20th Century.