Aldo Rossi (1931–1997) was a groundbreaking Italian architect and theorist who made history as the first Italian to win the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 1990. As the founding father of neo-rationalism, he championed austere geometries rooted in collective memory over modernist trends. His influential work spanned theory, buildings, drawing, and product design:

· Theory & Writing: His 1966 book, The Architecture of the City, remains one of the 20th century’s most significant urban treatises.
· Iconic Architecture: His major projects include the Cemetery of San Cataldo (Modena), the Gallaratese housing (Milan), the floating Teatro del Mondo, and the Bonnefanten Museum (Netherlands). He also designed the Scholastic Corporation headquarters in SoHo.
· Product Design: He created legendary household items, including the iconic Alessi Conica and Cupola espresso makers.