Franca Helg facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Franca Helg
Born	(1920-02-21)21 February 1920 Milan
Died	4 June 1989(1989-06-04) (aged 69) Milan
Nationality	Italian
Alma mater	Polytechnic University of Milan
Occupation	Architect
Practice	Polytechnic University of Milan

Franca Helg was an important Italian designer and architect. She was born in Milan on February 21, 1920, and passed away there on June 4, 1989. She also taught architecture at universities in Venice and Milan. For many years, from 1945 to 1977, she worked closely with another famous architect, Franco Albini.

About Franca Helg

Franca Helg finished her studies at the Polytechnic University of Milan in 1945. She became very active in two main areas: designing buildings (architecture) and creating products for everyday use (industrial design). She often worked with Franco Albini. Their professional partnership lasted a long time, from 1951 until Albini's death in 1977. After that, she continued her work with Marco Albini and Antonio Piva.

Franca Helg also had a career in teaching. She was an assistant at the University Institute of Architecture in Venice and later at the Polytechnic University of Milan. In 1967, she became an associate professor, teaching architecture. She became a full professor in 1984.

Some of her well-known projects include:

• The La Rinascente department store in Rome.
• The Terme Luigi Zoja spa in Salsomaggiore Terme.
• The Museo degli Eremitani (a museum) in Padua.

Awards and Recognitions

Franca Helg received an important award for her work:

• Compasso d'Oro: This award was given in 1964 to Franco Albini, Bob Noorda, and Franca Helg. They won it for their design work on the Milan Metro (the subway system in Milan).

Major Works and Designs

Franca Helg designed many different things, from furniture to large buildings.

• She designed furniture and houseware (items for the home) for companies like Poggi, Bonacina, and San Lorenzo.
• With Franco Albini, she worked on several projects:
  • The restoration of the Burial Monument of Margherita di Lussemburgo.
  • Designing the inside of the Museo del Tesoro della Cattedrale di San Lorenzo (a museum in a cathedral).
  • Creating the furnishings (like benches and signs) for the Milan Metro (which won the Compasso d'Oro prize in 1964).
  • The Olivetti store in Paris.
  • The design of the Piccapietra neighborhood in Genoa.

The neighborhood of Piccapietra in Genoa designed by architects Franco Albini and Franca Helg, photographed by Paolo Monti.

• • Completing the Museo di Sant'Agostino (Sant'Agostino Museum) in Genoa. This project lasted from 1956 to 1986.
  • Casa Zambelli, a house in Forlì.
  • The La Rinascente building in Rome. This project won a regional prize in 1963.

• She also worked on projects after Franco Albini passed away:
  • The Molino Dorino station for the Milan Metro (built between 1980 and 1985).
  • The Museo degli Eremitani (a museum) in a convent complex (worked on from 1982 to 1985).
• She designed furniture both with and without Franco Albini.

See also

In Spanish: Franca Helg para niños