Swiss architect Mario Botta may be renowned for his impressive postmodern architecture projects such as the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, but the chairs, lighting and other furniture he created reflect a mastery of geometrically rich forms and an elegant application of simple symmetry.
Born in Mendrisio, Switzerland, in 1943, Botta gained an interest in architecture at an early age. He apprenticed at the architectural firm Carloni and Camenisch and designed his first building — a two-family house at Morbis Superiore in Ticino — at age 16. During the early 1960s, Botta attended the Liceo Artistico in Milan and then studied at the University Institute of Architecture in Venice under art historian Giuseppe Mazzariol and influential Italian architect Carlo Scarpa.
While studying in Venice, Botta worked for Swiss-born French architect Le Corbusier — whose career spanned hundreds of architecture projects — and gained inspiration from Estonian-American architect Louis Kahn, who was known for his modern and brutalist architectural style. In 1969, Botta completed his studies and established his practice in Lugano, designing and building single-family homes.
Throughout the 1970s, Botta gained fame for his innovative, geometrical designs and deceptively simple forms, such as his first large-scale building project in 1977 — the Middle School in Morbio Inferiore, Switzerland. Botta later established himself as one of the masters of 1980s postmodern design in his architecture and his furniture. His postmodern ideas characterize the dining room tables and seating he designed for companies such as Alias, as well as his table lamps and floor lamps for Artemide.
Botta’s noteworthy architectural projects designed during the 1990s and 2000s include the Cymbalista Synagogue and Jewish Heritage Center in Tel Aviv, Israel; the Monastery of the Holy Apostles Saint Peter and Andrew in Lviv, Ukraine; and the Theater of Architecture in Mendrisio, in 2018.
On 1stDibs, discover a range of vintage Mario Botta lighting fixtures, seating, tables and decorative objects.
Mario Botta Dining Table ‘Terzo’ with Granite Top
By Alias, Mario Botta
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Botta for Alias, dining table model ‘Terzo’, metal, granite, Italy, 1983 The ‘Terzo’ dining table features a long rectangular granite tabletop that consists of three parts an...
Granite, Metal
Mario Botta Tesi table Alias 1986
By Mario Botta
Located in Grenoble, FR
Mario Botta, a key figure in contemporary architecture and design, was born on April 1, 1943 in Mendrisio, in the canton of Ticino in Switzerland. From a young age, he was interested...
Steel
Stone Top Dining Table ‘TERZO’ by Mario Botta, Italy, 1980s
By Mario Botta
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
Designed by Swiss architect Mario Botta, this dining table presents a captivating interplay between industrial power and organic delicacy. Characterized by a heavy black steel base—e...
Stone, Metal
Postmodern Mario Botta Terzo Coffee Table by Alias, 1980s
By Mario Botta, Alias
Located in Renens, CH
Custom designed coffee table by Mario Botta, produced by Alias (Italy) for the Ransila Building 1, Lugano, Switzerland: This marble top coffee table is an adjustment of the serie-pr...
Marble, Metal
$1,480
H 17 in W 36 in D 30 in
Postmodern Maitland Smith Style Tessellated Mactan Stone Coffee Table. C 1980s
By Maitland Smith
Located in Miami, FL
Postmodern Maitland Smith Style Tessellated Mactan Stone Coffee Table. Circa 1980s Features four independent peach, emerald, and ivory geometric stone bases with built-in slots to ho...
Stone
Vintage Marble & Glass Dining Table, Italy 1980s.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century modern dining room table designed and manufactured in the 1980's in Italy. The table has a marble base with a metal rod holding the two marble pillars. The table has a ...
Marble, Metal
1980s Maitland Smith Tessellated Stone Dining Table
By Maitland Smith
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Indulge in the timeless elegance of this exquisite dining table, dating back to the 1980s. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this piece showcases a stunning hand crafted finish, ensuring a rich, lustrous appearance that highlights its intricate design. This tessellated Mactan stone table...
Cast Stone
Round Dining Table Chnrome and Glass / Italy, 1980s
Located in Praha, CZ
- Chrome has a patina - - Partially missing Chrome - Glass has scratches from everyday use - Very stylish table - Good original condition.
Chrome
1980s Maitland Smith Mactan Tessellated Stone Brass Dining Table
By Maitland Smith
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Indulge in the timeless elegance of this exquisite Sculptural Maitland Smith Style, Tessellated Mactan Stone Brass & Beveled Glass Dining Table. Dating back to the 1980s.. Crafted wi...
Stone, Brass
1980s Postmodern Pink Marble Coffee Table
By Stone International
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Postmodern Pink Marble Coffee Table. Circa 1980s Features a square-shaped top with concave edges and a soft pink color with gorgeous ...
Marble
$1,345
H 15.16 in W 51.19 in D 29.93 in
Large postmodern curved waterfall glass coffee table with ball, USA 1980s
Located in Hastings, GB
Large postmodern curved waterfall glass coffee table with plaster effect fiberglass ball, USA 1980s. Very hard to find this model- I've been looking for a while. There are some scr...
Glass, Fiberglass
Vintage 1980s Postmodern Round Coffee Table Memphis Milano
By Gaetano Pesce, Mario Botta, Ettore Sottsass, Shiro Kuramata, Memphis Milano
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Vintage round coffee table featuring the iconic 1985 design by Ettore Sottsass, professionally restored while preserving the integrity and character of the original design. The tabl...
Wood
Vintage Monumental Solid Granite Top Dining Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Crafted with monumental scale and enduring materials, this vintage round dining table features a thick, two-piece solid grey granite stone top paired with an iron wrought metal base....
Granite, Metal
Italian Walnut Floating Dining Table by Mario Marenco, 1970s
By Mobil Girgi, Mario Marenco
Located in New York, NY
An Italian walnut floating dining table designed by Mario Marenco, for Mobil Girgi, 1970's. The canted legs are connected to a horizontal stretcher, which support the top, creating t...
Walnut
Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot Octagonal Dining Table
By Willy Rizzo, Mario Sabot
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Stunning dining octagonal pedestal dining table by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot.
Brass
Tree branch dining table, 1980s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Striking and unique dining tabel in the manner of Duval brasseur with a hand made tree branch base. Made from aluminum and finished with a clear glass top Fantastic looking piece...
Metal
Terzo Table by Mario Botta, 1st Edition, Alias circa 1983
By Mario Botta
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
"Terzo" Table, Mario Botta, first version with granite top, circa 1983 Designed by architect Mario Botta for Alias in the early 1980s, the "Terzo" table epitomizes the fusion of arc...
Granite, Steel
Mario Botta 'Tesi' Dining Table or Desk for Alias, Italy 1986.
By Mario Botta
Located in Renens, CH
This Mario Botta 'Tesi' table designed in 1986 for Italian iconic edition house Alias, stands as a testament to the iconic architect's signature style – a fusion of minimalist design, geometric precision, and a profound understanding of space. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, with its black lacquered perforated steel sheet structure, this table embodies the essence of architectural elegance, translating Botta's distinctive design philosophy into a functional and captivating piece of furniture all whilst strongly referencing the influence of Le Corbusier, Louis Kahn and Carlo Scarpa on Botta's work. At first glance, the Tesi Table...
Metal, Sheet Metal
"Tesi" Dining Table by Mario Botta for Alias, 1980s
By Mario Botta, Alias
Located in bruxelles, BE
Black metal table with glass top designed by Mario Botta for Alias. Tesi model. Wear due to time and age. FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US FOR RECEIVE THE BEST PRICE
Metal
Mario Botta “Tesi” Dining Table for Alias, Italy 1980
By Mario Botta, Alias
Located in Argelato, BO
A very rare desk/dining table designed by Mario Botta, model “Tesi”, manufactured by Alias in, Italy around 1980. This eye-catching piece has a clear glass rectangular top allows th...
Metal
Mario Botta 'Tesi' Dining Table or Desk for Alias, Italy 1986.
By Mario Botta
Located in Renens, CH
This Mario Botta 'Tesi' table designed in 1986 for Italian iconic edition house Alias, stands as a testament to the iconic architect's signature style – a fusion of minimalist design, geometric precision, and a profound understanding of space. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, with its black lacquered perforated steel sheet structure, this table embodies the essence of architectural elegance, translating Botta's distinctive design philosophy into a functional and captivating piece of furniture all whilst strongly referencing the influence of Le Corbusier, Louis Kahn and Carlo Scarpa on Botta's work. At first glance, the Tesi Table...
Metal, Sheet Metal
Sold
H 27.56 in W 98.43 in D 39.38 in
1986 Mario Botta Prismatic Postmodern Dining / Conference Table "Tesi" for Alias
By Mario Botta, Philippe Starck, Alias, Shiro Kuramata
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
Swiss Architect Mario Botta designed glass and metal prismatic postmodern dining table or conference table. Designed in 1986 and made by Alias in Northern Italy. Large plate glass appears to hover over asymmetrical steel...
Metal, Steel
Italian Vintage Table by Mario Botta for Alias, Published
By Mario Botta, Alias
Located in Milano, IT
A very rare dining table designed by Mario Botta, produced by Alias in Italy around 1980. This eye-catching piece has a black lacquered iron frame. The base is extensively perforated...
Iron
Mario Botta Terzo Coffee Table by Alias, 1980s
By Mario Botta, Alias
Located in Renens, CH
Mario Botta Marble Terzo coffee table by Alias, 1980s Custom designed coffee table by Mario Botta, produced by Alias (Italy) for the Ransila Building 1, Lugano, Switzerland: This marble top coffee table is an adjustment of the serie-produced Terzo dining table (1980s) specifically designed for use in the Società di banca svizzera (SBS), later UBS. Like the Terzo dining table, the massiveness of the structure is the first feature that grabs one’s attention, a structure on which the thin surface of the stone appears even more illusory. Yet, even this sheeting helps to reinforce the image of...
Marble
Architect Mario Botta "Tesi" Dining Table for Alias, Italy, 1985
By Mario Botta, Alias
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Architect Mario Botta "Tesi" dining table for Alias, Italy, 1985. This piece retains its original glass.
Steel
Mario Botta Black Steel Crystal Table ''Tesi'' Italian, 1986
By Mario Botta
Located in Madrid, ES
Dining table or desk, model "Tesi" from 1986, designed by Mario Botta (1943) and edited by Alias. Perforated sheet steel structure lacquered in black folded with rectangular glass top.
Crystal, Steel, Sheet Metal
Mario Botta 1980s Bar Trolley
By Mario Botta
Located in Weesp, NL
1980s Mario Botta bar trolley Stylish and beautiful bar trolley designed by Mario Botta in the 1980s Measurements: D 90 x W 44 x H 76 cm. This trolley will only be send abroad in ...
Iron