Congresso XL bookcase produced by Lips Vago

This extraordinary bookcase model Congresso was designed and produced by Lips Vago in 1967, representing one of the most innovative and iconic modular systems of Italian design of the 1960s. Winner of the prestigious SMAU Industrial Design Award in the same year, the Congresso bookcase immediately established itself as a symbol of a rational and functional approach, capable of combining architecture and furniture into a single design gesture. The version presented here is the XL, the rarest and most sought-after of all, today considered a true collector’s object. Unlike the standard version with 5 shelves per side, this imposing configuration reaches 3 meters in height and features 7 shelves per side, for a total of 14 double-sided shelves. The double-sided structure makes it a sculptural piece of great impact, perfect as a central divider within lofts, galleries, and public spaces, or as an architectural installation capable of redefining space. A historical detail of absolute importance is that these bookcases were adopted by the Vatican Archives, confirming their solidity and the institutional vocation of a system conceived to endure over time and to contain repositories of knowledge. Today they have become extremely rare on the market: we currently have 4 identical modules available, for a total of 4 linear meters, a unique opportunity to furnish an entire space with aesthetic and historical coherence. Made of military green steel, typical of Lips Vago’s industrial language, the bookcase retains all of its original expressive power: the shelves are adjustable and sliding with a simple gesture, allowing extreme versatility of use. The solid base guarantees stability, while the rigorous proportions confirm the rationalist and minimalist vocation of the project. Published several times in magazines such as Domus, the Congresso bookcase is today an icon of Italian design, out of production for decades. This XL version is an extremely rare model, virtually unobtainable on the international market, and represents a true opportunity for collectors, galleries, and architects seeking a unique piece capable of combining history, functionality, and sculptural power. Perfect condition, with slight signs of time and small spots of rust that give it an extraordinary original patina, bearing witness to its authenticity and lived-in beauty.