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.
Postmodern Swiss Design - Mario Botta, Obliqua Lounge Chair for Alias, 1980s
By Alias, Mario Botta
Located in Renens, CH
Obliqua lounge chair by the Swiss architect and designer Mario Botta (1943) for Alias Italy. The lines of these series of lounge chairs and sofas are sharp, rational and symmetric,...
Leather
$8,700
H 34.26 in W 76.78 in D 28.35 in
Mario Botta for Alias 'Obliqua' Sofa in Zebra Print Upholstery
By Mario Botta, Alias
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Botta for Alias, sofa, model ´Obliqua´, fabric, black lacquered wood, Italy, circa 1983. 'Obliqua' sofa designed by Mario Botta for Italian manufacturer Alias in the 1980s. U...
Fabric, Wood
$3,950 / set
H 26 in W 20 in D 21 in
1980s Pair of Postmodern Mario Botta for Alias Seconda Chairs with Arms in Gray
By Mario Botta, Alias
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a pair of postmodern Mario Botta Seconda armchairs, produced by Alias circa the mid 1980s. These are gorgeous and iconic works b...
Metal
Latonda chair designed by Mario Botta for Alias, Italy 1987
By Alias, Mario Botta
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
$1,772
H 37.01 in W 17.92 in D 22.45 in
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
$2,436Sale Price / set|40% Off
H 30 in W 25 in D 19 in
PAIR 1980s Postmodern Mario Botta Latonda Chair for Alias - 2 pcs
By Mario Botta, Alias
Located in Basel, BS
What Beauties! Stunning RARE PAIR of Mario Botta accent chairs for any space! Very fast shipping, insured 7-21 days. RARE Black leather model, with silver frame. Chair "Latonda" Pro...
Metal
$2,722 / item
H 28.35 in W 20.48 in D 22.84 in
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
$7,456 / set
H 37.01 in W 18.12 in D 22.45 in
"Quinta" Dining Chairs by Mario Botta for Alias, 1980s, set of 8
By Alias, Mario Botta
Located in bruxelles, BE
Set of 8 black metal chairs designed by Mario Botta for Alias. Quinta model. Stamped Alias. Seat height: 43 cm Wear due to time and age. FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US FOR RECEIVE THE BEST...
Metal
$1,171
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 Alias, Mario Botta
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
$4,970 / set
H 28.35 in W 20.48 in D 22.45 in
Pair Seconda Postmodern armchairs by Mario Botta for Alias, 1980s, Set of 2
By Mario Botta, Philippe Starck, Alias, Shiro Kuramata, Michele de Lucchi
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
$12,900 / set
H 27.56 in W 20.48 in D 22.84 in
"Seconda 602" Chairs by Mario Botta for Alias, 1980s, set of 6
By Mario Botta, Alias
Located in bruxelles, BE
Set of 6 gray and black chairs by Mario Botta. Stamped Alias. Seat height: 46 cm. Wear due to time and age of chairs. For shipping, request us for receive the best price.
Metal
$17,400 / set
H 34.26 in W 76.78 in D 28.35 in
Mario Botta for Alias Pair of 'Obliqua' Sofas in Zebra Print Upholstery
By Mario Botta, Alias
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Botta for Alias, pair of sofas, model ´Obliqua´, fabric, black lacquered wood, Italy, circa 1983. Bold pair of 'Obliqua' sofas designed by Mario Botta for Alias. Upholstered ...
Fabric, Wood
$1,183
H 36.82 in W 17.92 in D 19.69 in
Quinta Chair by Mario Botta for Alias, Black Steel, Italy 1980
By Alias, Mario Botta
Located in TOURS, FR
Quinta chair (model 605) by Mario Botta, for Alias Black lacquered steel structure, seat and back in black perforated sheet steel
Metal
Obliqua Black Leather Lounge Chair by Mario Botta, Alias, 1987
By Mario Botta, Alias
Located in Renens, CH
Rare "Obliqua" lounge chair designed by Mario Botta for Alias Italy 1987. Original black leather in very good condition. This minimalist postmodern lounge chair with its sharp...
Leather
Sold
H 27.56 in W 34.61 in D 34.61 in
Mario Botta Obliqua Armchair in Wood and Animalier Fabric Alias, 1983
By Alias, Mario Botta
Located in Cascina, Pisa
Mario Botta Obliqua armchair with structure in high-density polyurethane, seat, backrest, and armrests in expanded polyurethane, upholstered with f...
Fabric, Foam
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
Mario Botta Quinta Chair
By Mario Botta, Alias
Located in London, GB
The Quinta chair by Italian architect and designer Mario Botta is constructed of a steel rod frame and perforated steel to form the seat and back.
Steel