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.
$1,175 / item
Quinta chair by Mario Botta for Alias, 1985.
By Alias, Mario Botta
Located in Athens, Attiki
Quinta chairs by Mario Botta for Alias, 1985.
Metal
Mario Botta, 4 'Seconda' Black Metal Chairs, Alias Mod. 602, 1980s
By Mario Botta
Located in Argelato, BO
Three 'Seconda' chairs designed by the famous architect Mario Botta for the Italian firm Alias, model 602. All 4 are painted black both in the structure and in the seat, they bear ...
Steel
Postmodern Italian Quinta Black Perforated Metal Chair Mario Botta Alias 1980s
By Alias, Mario Botta
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern armchair by Italian manufacturer Alias, designed by Mario Botta in the 1980s. A timeless design classic from the 1980s. Classic black and made entirely of metal. Naturall...
Metal
Mario Botta La Quinta chair for Alias, Switzerland 1985, One Chair
By Alias, Mario Botta
Located in Basel, BS
Fast Shipping, insured in 8-15 days. Mint condition original 1980s La Quinta chair by Mario Botta Chairs for Alias. One chair is left. During the 198...
Metal, Sheet Metal
Pair Seconda Postmodern armchairs by Mario Botta for Alias, 1980s, Set of 2
By Philippe Starck, Shiro Kuramata, Michele de Lucchi, Alias, Mario Botta
Located in Brussels, Brussels
The Seconda Armchair, designed by Swiss architect Mario Botta and crafted by Alias, is a bold icon of postmodern design. Launched in 1982, it showcases Botta’s architectural backgro...
Steel, Sheet Metal
Mario Botta Latonda Chair
By Alias, Mario Botta
Located in Barcelona, ES
The 'Latonda' chair was designed by the famous Swiss architect Mario Botta in 1987 for the Italian company Alias. This chair has become an icon of contemporary design and is characte...
Steel, Sheet Metal
Mario Botta, 4 'Seconda' Metal Chairs, Alias Mod. 602, 1980s
By Mario Botta
Located in Argelato, BO
Mario Botta, set of 4 "Seconda" Armchairs produced by Alias, Italy 1982. Structure with armrests in gray powder-coated steel, black seat in perforated steel sheet. Backrest made up...
Steel
Mario Botta, 'Seconda' Black Metal Chairs, Alias Mod. 602, 1980s
By Mario Botta
Located in Argelato, BO
Three 'Seconda' chairs designed by the famous architect Mario Botta for the Italian firm Alias, model 602. All three are painted black both in the structure and in the seat, they bea...
Steel
Late 20th Century Charlotte Armchair by Mario Botta, Italy, 1994
By Mario Botta
Located in London, GB
The hallmark of Mario Botta’s architecture, characterized by purely geometric and cleverly interconnected volumes, is clearly visible in the Charlotte chair, edited by Horm. The cyli...
Wicker
Armchair Casamania & Horm Charlotte design Mario Botta
By Mario Botta, Horm
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: HORM Model: Charlotte Armchair Designer: Mario Botta Charlotte stems from the architectural language of Mario Botta, where the purity of geometric volumes meets the balance o...
Metal
$5,005 / item
Charlotte Armchair by Mario Botta
By Mario Botta, Horm
Located in Milan, IT
An example of skillful craftsmanship in a sophisticated, modern design, this armchair by Mario Botta comprises a structure in white-painted metal covered entirely by natural wicker. ...
Metal
"Charlotte" Chair by Mario Botta for Horm, Italy, 1990s
By Mario Botta, Horm
Located in Milan, IT
"Charlotte" chair by Mario Botta for Horm. Sculptural cold shape contrasts with warm feeling of full wicker body.
Wicker
$10,084Sale Price / set|35% Off
Postmodern Vintage Six Black Metal Armchairs Quinta Mario Botta Italy 1985
By Mario Botta
Located in Vienna, AT
Postmodern six ( 6 ) armchairs or dining chairs designed by Maria Botta 1985, Italy for Alias, Italy. A great and extraordinary set of six ( 6 ) dining chairs or armchairs in amazing...
Sheet Metal
Giandomenico Belotti Spaghetti Chairs for Alias - A Pair
By Giandomenico Belotti, Alias
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of black lacquered spaghetti chairs with plastic pvc tubing by Giandomenico Belotti for Alias.
Steel
$16,466 / set
H 28.75 in W 35.83 in D 28.75 in
Late 20th Century Charlotte Armchair by Mario Botta, Italy, 1994
By Mario Botta
Located in London, GB
The hallmark of Mario Botta’s architecture, characterized by purely geometric and cleverly interconnected volumes, is clearly visible in the Charlotte chair, edited by Horm. The cyli...
Wicker
Latonda chair designed by Mario Botta for Alias, Italy 1987
By Mario Botta, Alias
Located in Milano, IT
Latonda chair designed by Mario Botta for Alias, Italy 1987 The bent steel tube traces a fluid curve that gracefully moves through space. The two inclined circles, broken at the cen...
Steel
Charlotte Armchair by Mario Botta
By Mario Botta, Horm
Located in Milan, IT
An example of skillful craftsmanship in a sophisticated, modern design, this armchair by Mario Botta comprises a structure in white-painted metal covered entirely by natural wicker. ...
Metal
$4,701 / set
H 28.35 in W 22.45 in D 18.9 in
Mario Botta for Atlas, Pair of Black "Prima" Chairs, Italy, 1980s
By Atlas, Mario Botta
Located in Naples, IT
Designed in 1982 by the legendary Swiss architect Mario Botta for Alias, the "Prima" chair is one of the purest and most recognizable symbols of postmodern design and architecture ap...
Metal
$1,163
H 36.62 in W 22.45 in D 17.72 in
Italian postmodern metal Quinta 605 chair by Mario Botta for Alias, 1980s
By Mario Botta, Alias
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian postmodern metal Quinta 605 chair by Mario Botta for Alias, 1980s. Quinta 605 chair, postmodern Italian, in metal by Mario Botta for Alias 1980 Quinta 605 armchair with seat ...
Metal
$2,450
H 31.5 in W 19.75 in D 21.25 in
Set of Four 1980s Postmodern Mario Botta Style Wire Frame Armchairs
By Mario Botta
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Four 1980s armchairs designed in the style of Mario Botta's architectural furniture work. Each chair features a black enameled wire rod frame with a pronounced geometric X-pattern ba...
Metal, Enamel
$505
H 31.5 in W 21.66 in D 19.3 in
Italian Modern Black Scooby and Metal Spaghetti Chair by G. Belotti, Alias 1980s
By Giandomenico Belotti, Alias
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern black scooby and metal rod Spaghetti chair by Giandomenico Belotti for Alias, 1980s Beautiful Spaghetti model chair in black metal rod with elastic seat and back made ...
Metal
"Charlotte" Chair by Mario Botta for Horm, Italy, 1990s
By Mario Botta, Horm
Located in Milan, IT
"Charlotte" chair by Mario Botta for Horm. Sculptural cold shape contrasts with warm feeling of full wicker body.
Wicker
$2,016Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 33.08 in W 19.69 in D 23.23 in
Rare Black Leather Model 91 Chair by Mario Botta for Alias, 1991
By Mario Botta, Alias
Located in Basel, BS
What a beauty! Stunning accent chair for any space! Very fast shipping, insured 7-21 days. RARE Black leather model, with black frame. Chair "Botta '91" 1989 Design: 1989 Production...
Metal
$2,703 / item
H 28.35 in W 20.48 in D 22.84 in
Mario Botta, 4 'Seconda' Metal Chairs, Alias Mod. 602, 1980s
By Mario Botta
Located in Argelato, BO
Mario Botta, set of 4 "Seconda" Armchairs produced by Alias, Italy 1982. Structure with armrests in gray powder-coated steel, black seat in perforated steel sheet. Backrest made up...
Steel
The Prince Chair design by Mario Botta for Alias
Located in PARIS, FR
The Prince chair is a 1985 design by Swiss architect Mario Botta, part of his Sesta series. It has a tubular steel frame in a circle-repeat pattern — enam...
Steel
Mario Botta for Alias 'Prince' Chair
By Mario Botta
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Botta for Alias, lounge chair 'Prince' as part of de Sesta series, black metal, mesh and black and white leather, Italy, 1985. This loun...
Metal
Sold
H 37.4 in W 17.71 in D 21.65 in
Mario Botta PAIR La Quinta Mint Green + Black Chairs Alias Switzerland 1985 2pc
By Mario Botta, Alias
Located in Basel, BS
Fast Shipping, insured in 8-15 days. PAIR of Mint condition original 1980s La Quinta chair by Mario Botta Chair for Alias. Rare mint green + black edition!! Two available, sold he...
Metal, Sheet Metal
Sold
H 37.4 in W 17.71 in D 21.65 in
Mario Botta La Quinta Mint Green + Black chair Alias, Switzerland 1985 One Chair
By Mario Botta, Alias
Located in Basel, BS
Fast Shipping, insured in 8-15 days. Mint condition original 1980s La Quinta chair by Mario Botta Chair for Alias. Rare mint green + black edition. Two available, sold here as a s...
Metal, Sheet Metal
Sold
H 28.75 in W 35.83 in D 28.75 in
Pair of "Charlotte" Armchairs by Mario Botta for Horm in Natural Wicker, 1994
By Horm, Mario Botta
Located in Brescia, Brescia
This stunning pair of "Charlotte" armchairs, designed by the renowned architect Mario Botta for Horm in 1994, embodies the essence of late 20th-century design. Mario Botta's signatur...
Iron
Sold
H 37.01 in W 17.72 in D 22.84 in
Pair of Vintage Postmodern 'Quinta' Armchairs, Mario Botta for Alias, 80s Italy
By Mario Botta, Alias
Located in Zagreb, HR
A pair of the iconic original 1980s 'Quinta' chairs designed by Mario Botta and produced by Alias. During the 1980s, famous Swiss architect, Mario Botta worked with the manufacture...
Metal
Postmodern Black Quinta Chair by Mario Botta for Alias, '1985'
By Alias, Mario Botta
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Along with his iconic Seconda chair, Mario Botta’s Quinta chair for Alias is postmodern furniture at its very finest: drastically scaled down ...
Metal
Postmodern Gray and Black Seconda Chair by Mario Botta for Alias '1985'
By Mario Botta
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An icon of postmodern design, Mario Botta's Seconda chair is as much a piece of architecture as furniture. The Seconda (model 602) demonstrates every bit of the Botta’s influences an...
Metal
Sold
H 37.4 in W 17.71 in D 21.65 in
Mario Botta La Quinta chair for Alias, Switzerland 1985, One Chair
By Mario Botta, Alias
Located in Basel, BS
Original 1980s Mario Botta Chair for Alias. One Chair available. During the 1980s, famous Swiss architect, Mario Botta worked with the manufacturer Alias as a designer on a whole ra...
Metal, Sheet Metal
Sold
H 36.62 in W 17.72 in D 22.45 in
Italian Post Modern Black Metal Quinta 605 Armchair, Mario Botta, Alias, 1980s
By Mario Botta, Alias
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian post modern micro perforeted black metal Quinta 605 armchair by Mario Botta for Alias, 1980s Quinta 605 model armchair with seat and back in black micro-perforated metal and...
Metal
Mario Botta Quinta Chair for Alias
By Mario Botta
Located in London, GB
The iconic Quinta chair is constructed with a steel rod frame and folded perforated sheet-metal seat and back-rest. Designed in 1985, this iconic chair sh...
Steel
Mario Botta Rare 1982 Chrome Seconda Chairs Italy Alias
By Alias, Mario Botta
Located in San Diego, CA
Mario Botta Seconda Metal - Chrome armchairs Memphis for Alias Italy, 1982 edition with chrome and black leather is a rare version of the Iconic Seconda Mario Botta char. The Seconda...
Steel, Chrome
Sold
H 27.96 in W 20.48 in D 22.05 in
Set of 4 Post-Modern Seconda Armchairs by Mario Botta for Alias, Italy, 1982
By Alias, Mario Botta
Located in Munster, NRW
When looking at Mario Botta's chair designs you can follow his thoughts step by step (he even named them chronologically). His architectural approach to construction redefines static...
Metal