For eight years, Italian architecture and design studio Archizoom Associati challenged modernism and aligned itself with what we now call Radical Design, an avant-garde art movement established largely in Florence that produced exuberant conceptual furnishings and objects that were neither practical nor very commercial. Through iconic works like the Sanremo floor lamp and the Mies lounge chair, Archizoom and other proponents of the movement protested functionalism and explored form, color and material in a way that countered the existing social order.
Founded in 1966 by University of Florence students Andrea Branzi, Gilberto Corretti, Massimo Morozzi and Paolo Deganello, Archizoom questioned mass consumerism and the validity of rapid postwar modernization in their native country. In their architecture initiatives, interiors, installations, furniture and more, Archizoom's members were pioneers of postmodernism — future Memphis Group cofounder Ettore Sottsass was also part of the Radical Design movement — and alongside likeminded collectives such as Superstudio, Ziggurat and UFO, Archizoom drew on Pop art, Minimalism and Arte Povera to expand upon the expressive potential of design. Branzi and his peers were also deeply influenced by the visionary work of London architecture collective Archigram — so much so that the group’s name is inclusive of Zoom, which is the name of a zine published by the British collective.
In Archizoom’s No-Stop City — an unbuilt architecture project — the urban area is stripped bare, a featureless monochromatic expanse that sees built structures meeting nothing more than the basic needs of human existence. The group’s Mies lounge chair — a tribute to early modernist architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe — was developed for Poltronova and hardly resembles a chair at all. It is not until one sits down that the detached bench seat combines with the backrest and becomes a full seat. The human body bonds the pieces together to make a chair that is surprisingly functional — and even compact.
The Radical Design movement is experiencing something of a renaissance, and Archizoom Associati’s works featured prominently in 2020’s “Radical: Italian Design 1965-1985” at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. The collective’s designs were given a global stage in the classic 1972 exhibition “Italy : The New Domestic Landscape” at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, but most of the groups associated with Radical Design dissolved by the mid-1970s. The Mies lounge chair is held in MoMA’s permanent collection.
Find vintage Archizoom Associati seating, lighting and tables on 1stDibs.
$8,850 / set
Pair of Chairs AEO by Archizoom
By Archizoom Associati
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dimensions: 34"w x 22"d x 42"h Designer: Archizoom Italy 1973 Pair of 2 VNT1824
Metal
$499Sale Price / item|50% Off
Post Modern Black Leather UNO chairs with chrome tube frame Archizoom
By Archizoom Associati
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Black leather and tubular cantilever chrome "Uno" chair made by Marcatre and designed in 1973 by Paolo Deganella and Gilberto Corretti members of the Italian "Archizoom" group in Flo...
Chrome
$53,350 / item
Poltronova SAFARI Sofa by Archizoom Associati
By Archizoom Associati, Poltronova
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Safari sofa is a multiple seat with the profile of the backrest shaped like a series of waves, one gathers in the central void, accessed through an opening, as in a sort of tribal ritual. The piece of furniture consists of four pieces of two different types [two armchair modules and two sofa modules]. The Safari sofa was put into production for the first time by Poltronova in 1968. The experimental fibreglass technique was used for the structure. For the seat and backrest upholstery, Archizoom chose a printed animal pattern fabric with a Leopard print. The same pattern is used for the polyurethane foam rug placed between the seats. The choice of the leopard pattern was a cultured reference to the work “Bedroom ensemble” [1963] by Claes Oldenburg, master of English Pop Art, and his subsequent “Leopard chair...
Fiberglass
Midcentury Safari sofa by Archizoom for Poltronova, Italy 1968
By Archizoom Associati, Poltronova
Located in HAARLEM, NL
An icon, vintage Safari sofa by Archizoom Associati for Poltronova. A base made of white-coated fibreglass reinforced plastic, integrated seats arranged in the form of a flower, newl...
Fiberglass
Paolo Deganello AEO armchair, Archizoom Group, Cassina, Italy, 1970's
By Archizoom Associati, Cassina, Paolo Deganello
Located in TOURS, FR
AEO lounge chair designed by Paolo Deganello, a leading figure of the Italian Radical Design movement. Originally conceived in the 1970s, the chair exemplifies Deganello’s experiment...
Metal
20th Century, Archizoom for Poltronova Armchair mod. Mies
By Poltronova, Archizoom Associati
Located in Torino, Piemonte
Archizoom Associati was founded in Florence in 1966 by Andrea Branzi, Gilberto Corretti, Paolo Deganello and Massimo Morozzi, followed in 1968 by Dario and Lucia Bartolini, was one o...
Wood
$10,516 / item
Poltronova MIES Armchair by Archizoom Associati
By Archizoom Associati, Poltronova
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Mies armchair was born in 1969 from the idea of using a strip of para rubber or India rubber —strong, elastic materials— as a seat. The structure, a triangle in chrome—plated met...
Metal
Fauteuil AEO par Archizoom Associati pour Cassina
By Archizoom Associati, Cassina
Located in Rouen, FR
Fauteuil AEO conçu par Paolo Deganello du collectif Archizoom Associati, édité par Cassina en 1973. Véritable manifeste du design radical italien, le AEO est un fauteuil démontable,...
Metal
'Safari' Mid-Century Italian Sofa by Archizoom Associati for Poltronova
By Archizoom Associati
Located in London, GB
A 'Safari lounge sofa. Italy, c1968. Made by Archizoom Associati for Poltronova. White lacquered fibreglass, in four sectional elements....
Fiberglass
Aeo Loung Chair by Paolo Deganello for the Archizoom Group & Cassina
By Archizoom Associati
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
The AEO chair was the last product from the Archizoom group, and was designed by Paolo Deganello in 1973 as as an unorthodox interpretation of the modern design armchair. The audacit...
Metal
Mid-Century Modern 'Mies' Lounge Chair with Ottoman by Archizoom Associati, 1960
By Archizoom Associati
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern 'Mies' Lounge Chair with Ottoman by Archizoom Associati, 1960s Dimensions : Chair : 130 x 74 x 76H CM Ottoman : 104 x 20 x 34 h CM
Metal
Upholstered “Superonda” Sofa by Archizoom for Poltronova, Italy 1967
By Archizoom Associati, Poltronova
Located in Utrecht, NL
Throughout the 20th century, Italian design managed to distinguish itself. The 1960s was a boom time in Italy especially, a decade of mass production and innovation that signaled the...
Fabric
Armchair with Ottoman Mies Model by Archizoom Associati for Poltronova, Italy
By Archizoom Associati
Located in Asti, Piemonte
The structure is in chromed metal, the seat in latex sheet that deforms in response to the weight of the body. Ottoman size: W 105 cm x D 20 cm x H 34 cm. Bulbs: 3 x LED E14 3W [ma...
Metal
Gianni Pareschi ‘Fiocco’ Chair for Archizoom Associati by Busnelli
By Gianni Pareschi 1, Busnelli, Archizoom Associati
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Fiocco chair, designed in 1970 by Gianni Pareschi for the avant-garde design group Archizoom Associati and manufactured by Busnelli, is a striking exa...
Fabric
$3,991Sale Price|20% Off
Divano Superonda di Archizoom per Poltronova Anni 70 rosso
By Poltronova, Archizoom Associati
Located in Milano, IT
Iconico divano componibile, imbottitura in espanso, rivestimento in tessuto plastificato nella tonalità del rosso.
Fabric
Superonda sofa, Archizoom & Associati, Poltronova 1970s
By Poltronova, Archizoom Associati
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Superonda sofa, Archizoom & Associati, Poltronova 1970s. Superonda is distinguished by its bold absence of a body. At the center of its design are two sinuous waves, precisely sculpt...
Faux Leather, Foam
20th Century Art Deco Baby Pink Armchair, 1950s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
An unusual chair with organic shapes. A spring seat, very comfortable. After full carpentry and upholstery renovation. Padded with high-quality velour velvet (color 21). It was produ...
Velvet, Beech
Post Modern Perforated Steel and Chrome Arm Chair c. 1980's
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in New York, NY
Chic perforated steel and chrome arm chair, in excellent original, clean and ready to use condition. The chair features a perforated steel seat, back and arms, which are supported by...
Steel, Chrome
20th Century Mustard Yellow Dante Armchair, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
A beautiful, restored armchair designed by Henryk Lis. Furniture after full carpentry and upholstery renovation. The fabric, which is covered with a backrest and a seat, is a high-qu...
Velvet, Beech
20th Century Vintage Creme Boucle Atlantis Big Armchair, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Atlantis armchair from the 1960s, produced in the Silesian furniture factory in Swiebodzin at the moment they are unique. Due to their dimensions, they perfectly blend in even in sma...
Velvet
$2,300 / item
H 33.08 in W 18.12 in D 18.12 in
Chair, Vegan Leather, Beige, Post-Modern Design, Panorammma, Mexico
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
The “Ball-Foot Chair” is upholstered with a subtle beige cactus leather, a vegan textile infused with natural cacti fibers, which is produced in Mexico. The chair’s comfortable and r...
Steel
Pair of Lounge Chairs by T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of elegant lounge chairs, designed by T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb, American, circa 1950s. These chairs are currently being refinished and reupholstered and can be compl...
Upholstery, Wood
$19,494Sale Price|20% Off
H 23.63 in W 124.02 in D 98.43 in
Lara modular sofa designed by Pamio, Toso and Massari for Stilwood 1968
By Roberto Pamio & Renato Toso, Noti Massari
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Rare modular sofa model Lara designed by Roberto Pamio, Renato Toso and Noti Massari in 1968 for Stilwood. Polyurethane rubber frame, cotton bouclé fabric, restored, excellent condit...
Cotton, Rubber
$1,250 / item
H 32.29 in W 23.23 in D 20.48 in
Post-Modern Style Aurora Chair in Sculpted Walnut Finish with Cane and Leather
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
The Aurora collection aka Dawn marks a new exiting moment in our design history, in where we dove deep in to the creativity unknown, to create a collection that would be able to hold...
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Faux Leather, Cane, Hardwood, Walnut
$1,761 / item
H 34.26 in Dm 14.57 in
PH Snake Chair, Chrome, Leather Extreme Black, Leather Upholstery, Visible Tubes
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
The PH Snake Chairs flowing lines within its steel tube design are inspired by the strong yet flexible body of a snake. It is multi-use and fits any roo...
Chrome
Post Modern Leather Chair Made in Germany by Schillig
By Willi Schillig
Located in New York, NY
Post modern leather arm chair made in Germany by noted maker Schillig. The chair is executed in top quality black leather ( shows minor wear )...
Leather
$36,150
H 26.78 in W 37.8 in D 37.8 in
Ornate Camaleonda Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, Italy, 1970s
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Antwerp, BE
Camaleonda modular sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, a timeless piece of furniture that emerged in the design scene during the 1970s. Comprising three large and three smaller...
Fabric
Unavailable|$7,500
H 22 in W 979 in D 31.5 in
Ettore Sottsass model "Califfo" sofa for Poltronova, Italy, 1960s
By Poltronova, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Skokie, IL
Ettore Sottsass model "Califfo" sofa for Poltronova, Italy, 1960s– Newly Upholstered Discover a timeless piece of design history with the Ettore Sottsass Califfo...
Wood, Upholstery
Sold
H 25.6 in W 102.37 in D 84.65 in
'Safari' Sofa by Archizoom Associati for Poltronova, Italy, 1960s
By Archizoom Associati, Poltronova
Located in Antwerp, BE
Exceptionally rare "Safari" sectional sofa, designed in 1968 by the influential Italian collective Archizoom Associati for Poltronova. This unique four-piece set includes two two-sea...
Faux Fur, Fiberglass
Red Superonda Sofa by Archizoom for Poltronova, 1970s
By Poltronova, Andrea Branzi, Archizoom Associati
Located in Gardena, CA
Designed in 1967 by the Florentine Radical group Archizoom, this was the first sofa without a conventional frame. It is composed of two waves made from a polyurethane block cut into two parts with an S—shaped incision, which can be interlocked and stacked to produce different configurations. The lightness and modular design permit a range of various uses: Superonda can be a sofa, a bed or a chaise longue. This sofa has been completely reupholstered in new leather effect matte PVC coated fabric and is in almost pristine condition. This is the original sofa produced by Poltronova (I have my purchase...
Foam, PVC
"Mies" Lounge chair with Ottoman by Archizoom Associati, 1960s
By Archizoom Associati
Located in bruxelles, BE
Metal and camel colored leather lounge chair with cowhide cushion and luminous ottoman by Archizoom Associati. Dimensions Ottoman: H: 31 cm W: 104 cm D: 20 cm. Wear due to time and a...
Metal
"Mies" Lounge chair with Ottoman by Archizoom Associati, 1960s
By Archizoom Associati
Located in bruxelles, BE
Metal and brown leather lounge chair with cowhide cushion and luminous ottoman by Archizoom Associati. Dimensions Ottoman: H: 31 cm W: 104 cm D: 20 cm. Wear due to time and age of th...
Metal
Sold
H 32.29 in W 23.63 in D 88.98 in
Archizoon Associati for Poltronova "Superonda" Sofa, Italy 1960s
By Poltronova, Archizoom Associati
Located in Naples, IT
Superonda iconic sofa composed of two S-shapes in glossy sky. Its lightness and modularity allow for a variety of uses, in fact Superonda can be a sofa, bed and chaise longue. Desig...
PVC
Sold
H 46.86 in W 29.14 in D 29.14 in
AEO Armchairs by Paolo Deganello of Archizoom Associates for Cassina, Italy
By Paolo Deganello, Archizoom Associati, Cassina
Located in Dronten, NL
Pair of 'Aeo' chairs designed by Paolo Deganello for Cassina. Light gray leather back and arms and a blue leather seat cushion. Very comfortable Model AEO lounge chair by Paolo Degan...
Steel
Archizoom Associati Safari Armchairs, circa 1970
By Poltronova, Archizoom Associati
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Iconic Safari armchair in fiberglass, Foam rubber and velvet Leopard Skin. Designed in 1968 by Archizoom Associati and produced by Poltronova. Italy Circa 1968 Great vintage condit...
Fabric, Fiberglass
Sold
H 16.93 in W 93.71 in D 13.78 in
Superonda Sofa with Organic Shape and Multicouloured Pattern Fabric by Archizoom
By Bethan Laura Wood, Poltronova, Archizoom Associati
Located in Ibiza, Spain
'Superonda' model sofa designed in 1967 by the Florentine radical group Archizoom and edited by Poltronova. Composed of two wavy elements cut from a single piece of polyurethane. Ter...
Fabric
Sold
H 29.93 in W 51.58 in D 31.5 in
Mies Armchair with Ottoman Designed by Archizoom for Poltronova, 1960s
By Archizoom Associati, Poltronova
Located in Parma, IT
Armchair with pouf Mies design Archizoom for Poltronova 1960s. Chromed steel armchair and ottoman structure, caucciu'rubbe seat with pony headrest, pouf with lighting and pony footr...
Steel
Sold
H 13.78 in W 92.52 in D 40.56 in
Superonda Black Sofa by Archizoom Associati for Poltronova, 1960 Italy
By Poltronova, Archizoom Associati
Located in The Hague, NL
Magnificent space age sofa Model SuperOnda with curved and eccentric lines. Designed in 1967 by the radical Florentine Archizoom group for Poltronova, it is the first sofa without a ...
Faux Leather, PVC
Black Superonda Sofa by Archizoom Associati for Poltronova
By Archizoom Associati
Located in Vlimmeren, BE
Designed in 1967 by the radical group Archizoom, this was the first sofa without a conventional frame. It is composed of two waves made from a polyurethane block cut into two parts w...
Faux Leather
Sofa Superonda White by Archizoom for Poltronova
By Archizoom Associati, Poltronova
Located in Milano, IT
Magnificent space age sofa Model SuperOnda with curved and eccentric lines. Designed in 1967 by the radical Florentine Archizoom group for Poltronova, it is the first sofa without a shell. It consists of two waves, hence SuperOnda, made from a block of polyurethane sawn into two parts by an "S" cut, which fit together and overlap, shaping different configurations. Lightness and modularity allow for a variety of uses: Superonda can be a sofa, bed and chaise longue. Like many of the pieces designed by the Archizoom group, it proves a challenge to bourgeois conventions, stimulating the user's creativity and imagination. The white sky-vinyl upholstery. The work of Archizoom-which historians place in the strand of radical architecture-has investigated different areas of creativity and design: object design, clothing...
PVC