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Paolo Piva Furniture

Italian, 1950-2017

Juxtaposing sleek curves with angular, geometric shapes, the sophisticated minimalism of Paolo Piva’s furniture made him one of the most significant mid-century modern designers. Using understated, classic materials such as patent leather and glass, he created furniture that is as timeless as the buildings he designed as an internationally renowned architect. Piva’s armchairs, floor lamps and other furniture pieces were built to withstand changing tastes.

Born in 1950 in Adria in northern Italy, Piva pursued his career in design and architecture at the International University of the Arts in Venice under renowned architect Carlo Scarpa. While a student, he also worked with the Akademie für Angewandte Kunst in Vienna and the Institute of History and Architecture in Venice to create a major exhibition on Viennese architecture during the socialist period. 

Gaining notice during his graduate studies in Rome, Piva established himself as an up-and-coming architect. In 1980, he emerged on the international scene with an acclaimed design for the Kuwait Embassy in Qatar, which led to design commissions for buildings and factories across Western Europe. At the same time, Piva began designing furniture that reflected the clean lines and artful forms of his building style. His most popular piece was the Pyramid coffee table, with inverted pyramids supporting a glass top.

A lifelong academic, Piva began teaching at the Akademie für Angewandte Kunst in 1988, becoming a full professor in 1991. He also collaborated with top brands, including Poliform, de Sede, B&B Italia, Wittmann and Riva 1920, designing center tables, club chairs and other furniture items. He continued his design pursuits throughout his life, traveling to conferences and exhibitions internationally up until his death in 2017.

Piva gained a nomination for the Compasso d’Oro award in 1987 and was one of the architects selected to design the Science and Technology Park in Vienna in 1995. His work has been exhibited at Galerie Ulysses in Vienna and the Architekturgalerie München in Munich, as well as in the VI Mostra internazionale di Architettura della Biennale di Buenos Aires

On 1stDibs, delve into the graceful simplicity and elegant geometry of Paolo Piva’s lighting, tables, seating, and other furniture and collectibles.

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Creator: Paolo Piva
Recognized Seller Listings
De Sede DS-218/55 Barstool in Off White Upholstery by Paolo Piva
By Paolo Piva, De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Plays a decisive role in moulding the character of a room. A focus on clear-cut structures, cubist forms, straight lines and a Minimalist selection of materials. A unique combination...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Paolo Piva Furniture

Materials

Leather

De Sede DS-218/05 Stool in Black Upholstery by Paolo Piva
By Paolo Piva, De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Plays a decisive role in moulding the character of a room. A focus on clear-cut structures, cubist forms, straight lines and a Minimalist selection of materials. A unique combination...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Paolo Piva Furniture

Materials

Leather

De Sede DS-218/15 Stool in Black Upholstery by Paolo Piva
By Paolo Piva, De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Plays a decisive role in moulding the character of a room. A focus on clear-cut structures, cubist forms, straight lines and a minimalist selection of materials. A unique combination...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Paolo Piva Furniture

Materials

Leather

Related Items
De Sede DS-218/05 Stool in Black Upholstery by Paolo Piva
By De Sede, Paolo Piva
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Plays a decisive role in moulding the character of a room. A focus on clear-cut structures, cubist forms, straight lines and a Minimalist selection of materials. A unique combination...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Paolo Piva Furniture

Materials

Leather

De Sede DS-164 Three-Seat Sofa in Off-White Upholstery by Hugo de Ruiter
By De Sede, Hugo de Ruiter
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Revolutionary back-push mechanism DS-164 can be transformed from an open sofa into an elegant chaise longue in a single movement, while the backrest can be stylefull rotated infinitely by 360°. The modular seat island, presented in organic curves, impresses with its expressive spatial presence, innovative functionality and playful approach to the classic expectations of a sofa. A furnishing element that individually adapts to every floor plan and every need. An exquisite drink in hand, following the flames of the open fireplace...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Paolo Piva Furniture

Materials

Leather

De Sede Ds-490 Modular Sofa in Off-White Upholstery by De Sede Design Team
By De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
With two flicks of the wrist, DS-490 can be converted into a double recliner. The seat units with elaborately stitched upholstery offer supple comfort ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Paolo Piva Furniture

Materials

Leather

De Sede DS 80 Daybed in Black Upholstery by De Sede Design Team
By De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Feet up and just unwind – our DS-80 relocates sleep to the daytime hours, the time when we are supposed to be active and getting things done. Its subtle appearance reminds us to take...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Paolo Piva Furniture

Materials

Leather

De Sede DS 515 Barstool in Grey Upholstery with Gold Color by Greutmann Bolzern
By De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A stylish companion for anywhere, anytime. With DS-515, a filigree, runner-shaped base frame made of steel carries the inviting seat area. With DS-515, a thin wire construction serves as a shaping frame over which a padded leather cover is drawn. The folded and tucked leather defines the delicate design, masterful leather seams and sophisticated detailing. A textile insert in the back gives the chair a distinctive note, and the overall craftsmanship of the composition makes it a stylish companion at the dining table, in the home office or in the conference room. With a special cover, it is also perfect for semi-outdoor use. Carmen and Urs Greutmann run their own design studio in Zurich, where they design spaces and furniture characterized by special clarity in form and materiality. This series of different sculptures all belonging to a family features the play of exact, different linings with little lightness. The results are universally usable seating...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Paolo Piva Furniture

Materials

Upholstery

"DS-717/35" - Barstool by De Sede
By De Sede
Located in New York, NY
The DS-717/35 Barstool - Where simplicity meets the highest standards in seating comfort, thanks to the barstools ergonomic perfection of the leather covered seat shell. The tubular ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary North American Modern Paolo Piva Furniture

Materials

Chrome

"DS-717/35" - Barstool by De Sede
"DS-717/35" - Barstool by De Sede
H 27 in W 22 in D 17 in
De Sede DS-717 Stool in Snow Upholstery with Steel Legs by Claudio Bellini
By De Sede, Claudio Bellini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The symbiosis of perfectly shaped, chrome-plated steel tubes and the highest art of upholstery technology creates a chair that leaves its peers behind in its quality. In the manner o...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Paolo Piva Furniture

Materials

Leather

De Sede DS-600 Stool in Black Leather by U. Berger, E. Peduzzi Riva, H. Ulrich
By De Sede, Eleanora Peduzzi-Riva, Heinz Ulrich, and Ueli Berger
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Launched in 1972, DS-600 is an indestructible, variable modular system of upholstered furniture consisting of individual, addable armchair elements. These consist of an L-shaped hard foam core covered with a down-lined and leather-covered cushion. The elements are connected with a plug-in hinge and a construction made of hide and zipper. The stool element complements the famous snake-shaped seat with an intermediate and end element. The longest DS-600 currently stands in the palace of the ruling family of a sultanate - where legendary 406 upholstery elements in rainbow colors join up to create a circular or serpentine endless sofa. The affectionately named “Tatzelwurm” sculpture also took up residency in the living rooms of Tina Turner, Jerry Hall and Mick Jagger and became the “star” of numerous Bond films - New York’s legendary “Studio 54” also adorned itself with the trendy sofa designed by a Swiss designer collective in the early 1970s. The idea of a convex and concave curved sofa was brilliant, but transforming it into a producible item of seating furniture proved more difficult than anticipated. Together with the De Sede development team, the designer collective spent a year building countless prototypes; almost all of them were criticized and rejected. But the designers showed nerves of steel, and DS-600 gradually became what it is today: an indestructible, variable modular system of upholstered furniture consisting of individual, addable armchair elements. Additional information: Material: Leather Model: DS/600 Stool...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Paolo Piva Furniture

Materials

Leather

De Sede DS-2847 Armchair in Black Upholstery by De Sede Design Team
By De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Just as independent as its role model DS-47 is its little brother DS-2847: the soft form of this children’s model is based on the specific properties of NECK leather. The thick bull ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Paolo Piva Furniture

Materials

Leather

De Sede DS 76 Stool in Black Upholstery by De Sede Design Team
By De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
DS-76 was launched as early as 1972, when it was considered revolutionary – no sofa bed could manage with a simpler mechanism: in a few simple steps, the model...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Paolo Piva Furniture

Materials

Leather

De Sede DS-164 Right Sofa Bed in Off White Upholstery by Hugo de Ruiter
By Hugo de Ruiter, De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Revolutionary back-push mechanism DS-164 can be transformed from an open sofa into an elegant chaise longue in a single movement, while the backrest can be s...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Paolo Piva Furniture

Materials

Leather

De Sede DS-218/55 Barstool in Off White Upholstery by Paolo Piva
By Paolo Piva, De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Plays a decisive role in moulding the character of a room. A focus on clear-cut structures, cubist forms, straight lines and a Minimalist selection of materials. A unique combination...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Paolo Piva Furniture

Materials

Leather

Previously Available Items
Paolo Piva Italian Coffee Table
By Paolo Piva
Located in Austin, TX
Iconic “Alanda” coffee table by Paolo Piva for B&B 1981. Both the base and glass top are in excellent condition.
Category

1980s Italian Modern Vintage Paolo Piva Furniture

Materials

Metal

Paolo Piva Italian Coffee Table
Paolo Piva Italian Coffee Table
H 10.125 in W 47.25 in D 47.25 in
Paolo Piva for Wittmann Leather Sofa and Lounge Chairs, Austria, circa 1980
By Wittmann, Paolo Piva, Stendig Co.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wonderful leather sofa and pair of lounge chairs in excellent condition by Paolo Piva for Wittmann, circa 1980. Imported by Stendig and retaining their original labels under each pie...
Category

1980s Austrian Modern Vintage Paolo Piva Furniture

Materials

Leather

Iconic Paolo Piva Coffee Table
By Paolo Piva
Located in Austin, TX
Vintage Italian coated metal coffee table with glass top by Paolo Piva. Geometric and architectural, this floating table is the perfect modern touch.
Category

1970s Italian Modern Vintage Paolo Piva Furniture

Materials

Steel

Iconic Paolo Piva Coffee Table
Iconic Paolo Piva Coffee Table
H 13.5 in W 39.375 in D 39.375 in
Alanda Table by Paolo Piva
By Paolo Piva
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Rare dimensions for this sculptural coffee table designed by Paolo Piva for B&B.
Category

1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Piva Furniture

Materials

Iron

Alanda Table by Paolo Piva
Alanda Table by Paolo Piva
H 10.24 in W 47.25 in D 47.25 in
Nice Alanda Table by Paolo Piva for B&B
By Paolo Piva
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Nice coffee table designed by Paolo Piva.
Category

1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Piva Furniture

Materials

Iron

Nice Alanda Table by Paolo Piva for B&B
Nice Alanda Table by Paolo Piva for B&B
H 10.24 in W 47.25 in D 23.63 in
"Alanda" Coffee Table by Paolo Piva for B & B, Italy
By Paolo Piva
Located in Piacenza, Italy
The Alanda square coffee table designed by Paolo Piva, manufactured by B & B, Italy
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Paolo Piva Furniture

Materials

Steel

" Alanda " Coffee Table by Paolo Piva for B & B, Italy
By Paolo Piva
Located in Piacenza, Italy
The "Alanda " low coffee table by Paolo Piva, manufactured by B&B Italia
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Paolo Piva Furniture

Materials

Steel

Paolo Piva furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Paolo Piva furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Paolo Piva furniture, although black editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 84 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 8 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture by Paolo Piva were created in the modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Giotto Stoppino, Anna Castelli Ferrieri, and Giovanni Offredi. Prices for Paolo Piva furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $398 and can go as high as $15,600, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,464.

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