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Born: 24 April 1951
Elected RA: 12 December 2012
Category of Membership: Architect
Design Museum, Holon, Israel. Photo: Asa Bruno. Ron Arad was born in Tel Aviv and after studying at the Bezalel Academy of Art and Design, Jerusalem he moved to London in 1973 to study at the Architectural Association.
In partnership with Caroline Thorman, Arad established the design practice One Off Ltd in 1981. In their workshops and showroom in Covent Garden, he made and displayed his handcrafted designs. Later the pair founded Ron Arad Associates (1989), a design and architecture practice in Chalk Farm, London; and in 1994 opened the Ron Arad Studio, in Como, Italy, where Arad continues to explore innovative techniques and technologies.
Initially crafting unique pieces, usually chairs with sculptural forms, and fusing high-tech materials with found objects, Arad quickly gained international recognition. One-offs such as Bookworm and the Well-Tempered Chair were later mass-produced, in collaboration with leading manufacturers.
He is also known for his interior design and architectural projects, including Belgo restaurants in London, Tel Aviv Opera House, the Design Museum in Holon, and Mediacite in Liege. His works can be found in many major collections, including Centre Georges Pompidou, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Pinakothek der Moderne, the MoMA NY and the V&A, as well as having had three recent major retrospectives, at the Centre George Pompidou (2008), the MoMA NY (2009) and the Barbican (2010).
Contact details for further information
Email membershipoffice@royalacademy.org.uk
