Roberto studied architecture at Milan University, but soon dedicated himself to painting. After his great successes in Europe and Brazil, he switched over to design and opened a studio in Milan. Sambonet was a graphic consultant for Pirelli, Alfa Romeo, Renault, Touring Club Italiano, RAI, Tobu Tokyo department stores, Feltrinelli and Einaudi Publishers. He was art director of the architecture review Zodiac from 1956 to 1960. As an industrial designer, he worked on projects for La Rinascente, Baccarat, Bing&Grondhal, Richard Ginori, Seguso Murano and Tiffany, working in glass, crystal and porcelain. He was awarded the Compasso d’Oro, 1956, 1970, 1979, 1995, and Milan Triennale Grand Prix, 1960. His art was shown at solo exhibitions in São Paulo, Milan, Helsinki, Lugano, then in Stockholm, Venice, Rio de Janeiro, Chicago, New York, Turin and Paris. His final years, spent between Milan and New York, were devoted to painting, ranging from portraits to landscapes to abstract works.