If there is one person who has revolutionized interior lighting in Spanish homes, it is
Miguel Milá. At
Behind Pictures, we continue sharing the biographies and works of great architects and designers in history, such as
Le Corbusier or
Mies van der Rohe. Today, it’s Miguel Milá’s turn for his work as a
designer and interiorist, more akin to a craftsman,
lasting from the 1950s to today.
Discover Miguel Milá’s legacy!
Who Is Miguel Milá?
Miguel Milá is one of the
pioneers of Spanish design who, together with his contemporaries, helped establish design as a discipline in its own right. Born in Barcelona in 1931, he
started working as an interiorist in his brother’s architecture studio while studying to become an architect. Shortly after, he left his studies and dedicated himself first to interior design and later
to designing furniture himself when he could not find pieces he liked. More than 50 years later, his designs continue to be reissued and serve as a reference for younger generations, as
his work and professional trajectory are pure design history. Miguel Milá has received numerous recognitions, awards, and honors, including the
Gold Medal for Merit in Fine Arts from the Spanish Royal Family in 2016.
Miguel Milá’s Preindustrial Design
Although recognized as an
industrial designer, he defines himself as a
preindustrial designer, as he always preferred designing based on the intended use of objects. A perfect example is his lamps, which, according to him, are more than just a way to light a house—they are
decorative elements, since they spend more time turned off than on.
For Miguel Milá, aesthetics are paramount.
As an Interiorist
Miguel Milá is one of the few
early interiorists without formal architecture studies. As mentioned, in 1950 he left his studies shortly after starting them to focus entirely on interior design. This is where his passion for experimenting with materials began, fully leaning toward craftsmanship. Three years later, he founded TRAMO,
his company specialized in interior furniture design and production. Later, he founded his
own design and interior studio, always maintaining artisanal processes and techniques to
experiment with noble materials and correct mistakes during the process.
Miguel Milá, Designer of the Everyday
His career focused on
projects centered on interiors for private homes, exhibitions, and urban furniture, avoiding the postmodern trends that became popular in the 1980s and 1990s. Among many other things, Milá designed the
Tram bench for the 1992 Olympics and the
interior of Barcelona Metro cars. As he stated, the ornate trends of the time went completely against Miguel Milá’s craft style: “
have an idea and remove what’s unnecessary.”
Puff and Cadaqués Sofa
In collaboration with Federico Correa, Milá drew inspiration from the fishing village of the Costa Brava to design the
Cadaqués ottoman and sofa. A plush creation where you can
rest in various positions without losing posture and
without deforming its cozy structure.
Basket Lamp
The Basket Lamp is one of Miguel Milá’s most iconic designs and is considered
one of the most important examples of “industrial craftsmanship”. Its success is evident in the
numerous reinterpretations that have been made of this particular model.
NeoRomantic Classic Bench
It was at his company TRAMO that Miguel Milá created the
NeoRomantic Classic Bench. This is an example of the
urban designs Milá worked on. This particular piece was a great success due to its elegance and ergonomics, and
new versions are still being produced today.
TMC Lamp: Definitive Edition
The
TMC lamp is Miguel Milá’s most important invention, and over time, it has undergone various changes. In 2011, the definitive edition of the TMC lamp was released,
maintaining the values Miguel Milá incorporated in all his work. This version includes all the qualities of the original TMC lamp, as well as
new features, such as an adjustable shade height system and a base compatible with today’s preferred materials in the industry.
