Walter De Silva

Con-tatto, in the manner of an exquisitely emotional approach, where the balance perceived is magical, only apparently fragile, strong in the intention that determines it: two inverted cones, of identical proportions, attract each other and are joined at the top, generating a unique and indivisible form that they are an integral part of. The most suitable colours match its development, revealing a soft, persuasive appeal. At the top, stone, clearly reused, randomly reassembled fragments of a whole that was deliberately broken. Rigor and coherence identify the creative process of Walter de Silva, a leading protagonist of Car Design. While very young, in Turin, in 1972 he was hired at Centro Stile Fiat, as a Junior Stylist. In ‘75, in Milan with Rodolfo Bonetto, he designed automobile interiors. He was invited by Franco Mantegazza and Renzo Piano in ‘78 to direct the Design Department of the Idea Institute in Turin.
During this time the Fiat VSS was created, an experimental vehicle, the first example of modular design in the automotive field.

In 1986 he assumed the responsibility for the Centro Stile Alfa Romeo in Milan. Car of the Year 1998, the 156 achieved international notoriety. The following year he moved to Barcelona to become head of design for Seat. 2002 found him in Ingolstadt with Audi “…of 2007, the A5 was my most beautiful car, not only for that period when I was head of Audi design, where the study of the single frame is linked to that of the surface treatment.