Born in San Diego, California, Johanna Grawunder designs across the fields of architecture and interiors, with projects ranging from custom commissions and large-scale public installations, to limited-edition and mass-produced furniture and objects. She is best known for her light installations.
Grawunder studied architecture at California Polytechnic State University, graduating in 1984. She completed her final year of university in Florence and moved to Milan in 1985. Between 1985 and 2001, she worked with Sottsass Associati. Grawunder opened her own studio in 2001, and is currently based in both Milan and San Francisco.
Combining technology and craftsmanship, Grawunder’s work is marked by its sculptural nature, as well as a sense of quality and longevity, achieved in direct contrast to what she sees as the ethos of the modern consumer era. Notable clients include B&B, Flos, and Glas Italia. Her work is included in multiple permanent museum collections, including the Art Institute of Chicago, High Museum Atlanta, and San Francisco MoMA.
