Patricia Urquiola (born 1961 in Oveido, Spain) studied architecture at the Madrid Polytechnic as well as Milan Polytechnic where she graduated in 1989.  She was Achille Castiglioni's assistant at the Milan Polytechnic from 1990 to 1992. From 1990 to 1996 she was in the Product Development Office for De Padova where she collaborated with Vico Magistretti. In 1996, she joined Studio Lissoni and Associates.  In 2001 she opened her own studio for design, installations, and architecture.  Urquiola has been the recipient of numerous design awards and her work is included in the permanent collections of numerous museums worldwide.  She has collaborated with a number of manufacturers on product design including Agape, Axor, B&B Italia, Boffi, Cappellini, Cassina, De Padova, Foscarini, GAN, Glas Italia, Kartell, Kettal, Kvadrat, Lasvit, Moroso, Olivari, Paola Lenti, Riva 1920, Steelcase, Studio TK, and Viccarbe.