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.
B & B Italia Armchair Set by Paolo Piva (2 pieces)
By Paolo Piva, B&B Italia
Located in Nagykovácsi, Central Hungary
B&B Italia armchair set of 2, desiged by Paolo Piva. The leather is in poor condition.
Metal
B&B Italia Armchair Set of Six by Paolo Piva, Leather, Vintage, 1989
By B&B Italia, Paolo Piva
Located in Nagykovácsi, Central Hungary
B&B Italia armchair set of 6, desiged by Paolo Piva. The leather is in poor condition.
Metal
Four 1980s-style Arcadia designer armchairs in black leather by Paolo Piva B&B
By Paolo Piva, B&B Italia
Located in Milano, IT
Four 1980s-style Arcadia armchairs, upholstered in black leather, designed by Paolo Piva for B&B Italia
Leather, Plastic
Amanta Modular Lounge Chairs by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1976. Price is for the set. Contact us if you’d like to purchase a single item. Previously reupholstered in beige leather. Rare and hard to find.
Leather, Plastic
Aura Longue Chair By Paolo Piva For Wittmann 1980
By Paolo Piva
Located in Čelinac, BA
Aura Longue Chair By Paolo Piva for Wittmann Austria 1980
Fabric
Leather Aura Longue Chair By Paolo Piva For Wittmann 1980
By Paolo Piva
Located in Čelinac, BA
Leather Aura Longue Chair By Paolo Piva For Wittmann Austria 1980
Leather
$2,030Sale Price|50% Off
H 38.98 in W 29.14 in D 31.5 in
B&B Italia by Antonio Citterio Cream Pony Hair Leather J.J. Armchair
By Antonio Citterio, B&B Italia
Located in Rochester, England
A stunning piece of modern design, the J.J Armchair by Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia is the perfect balance between traditional and contemporary. Using contrasting materials, th...
Ash, Leather
$2,558 / set
H 34.65 in W 18.12 in D 22.45 in
Arcadia dining chairs by Paolo Piva for B& B Italia set of 10
By B&B Italia, Paolo Piva
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Set of 10 Arcadia dining chairs designed by Paolo Piva for B& B italia's Arcadia series. Upholstered in dark green leather. They are very comfortable. The set consists of 8 r...
Leather
Alanda vintage sofa by Paolo Piva for B&B Italia, 1980s
By Paolo Piva, B&B Italia
Located in modena, Emilia-Romagna
Alanda sofa by Paolo Piva for B&B Italia. A true design product, typical of the 1990s. Made of Steel and upholstered in Grey color Alcantara, fully removable cover. Armrests and head...
Fabric
$3,288Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 35.44 in W 27.56 in D 35.83 in
Pair of B&B Italia Maxalto Imprimatur Antonio Citterio Armchairs
By B&B Italia, Antonio Citterio
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of high back B&B Italia hand made in Italy Maxalto Imprimatur armchairs designed by Antonio Citterio RRP £6000. The chairs ar...
Chrome, Nickel
$1,884 / set
H 34.65 in W 18.12 in D 22.45 in
Arcadia dining chairs by Paolo Piva for B& B Italia set of 6
By Paolo Piva
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Set of 6 Arcadia dining chairs designed by Paolo Piva for B& B italia's Arcadia series. Upholstered in black leather. They are very comfortable. Good condition 1980s - Italy Di...
Leather
$1,989 / set
H 34.65 in W 18.12 in D 22.45 in
Arcadia dining chairs by Paolo Piva for B& B Italia set of 6
By Paolo Piva
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Set of 6 Arcadia dining chairs designed by Paolo Piva for B& B italia's Arcadia series. Upholstered in black leather. They are very comfortable. Good condition 1980s - Italy ...
Leather
$2,760 / set
H 29.53 in W 31.5 in D 27.56 in
Set of Two Aura Leathet Longue Chair By Paolo Piva For Wittmann.
By Paolo Piva
Located in Čelinac, BA
Set od Two Aura Longue Chair By Paolo Piva for Wittmann Austria 1980
Leather
De Sede Leather Lounge Chair Armchair Creme Paolo Piva
By De Sede, Paolo Piva
Located in Munich, Bavaria
De Sede leather armchair designed by Paolo Piva. Great comfort and a Classic timeless design by De Sede. With patina on the leather and beec...
Leather, Upholstery, Wood
Four Black Lacquered Chairs by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
A refined and architecturally striking set of chairs by Paolo Buffa, crafted in Italy in the 1940s. Executed in solid wood with a satin black lacquer finish and upholstered in full-g...
Mahogany, Lacquer, Leather
$6,594 / set
H 29.53 in W 17.72 in D 20.87 in
Set of Six Minimal "Rea" Leather Chairs by Paolo Tilche for Arform, Italy, 1950s
By Arform, Paolo Tilche
Located in Milan, IT
Set of six "Rea" chairs by Paolo Tilche for Arform. Squared black metal frame and thick cognac leather. Also available another chair with hair-on leather cover.
Metal
$1,875 / set
H 34.65 in W 18.12 in D 22.45 in
Arcadia dining chairs by Paolo Piva for B& B Italia set of 6
By Paolo Piva
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Set of 6 Arcadia dining chairs designed by Paolo Piva for B& B italia's Arcadia series. Upholstered in black leather. They are very comfortable. Good condition 1980s - Italy Dim...
Leather
Original B&B Italia Alanda Sofa Paolo Piva Vintage Ledersofa
By B&B Italia, Paolo Piva
Located in Berlin, DE
Paolo Piva wollte in den 80ern einen Sofa-Entwurf, der sich anfühlt wie ein großzügiger Stapel weicher Kissen – aber ohne Konstruktion unsichtbar bleibt. Er packte voluminöse Lederpo...
Steel
Arcadia Group of 6 Chairs by B&B Metal Leather, Italy, 1980s
By B&B Italia, Paolo Piva
Located in Milano, IT
Group of 6 chairs, of which 2 with high back (Arcalla) and 4 with low back (Arcara). Metal frame, leather upholstery. Good conditions.
Metal
Arcadia Chairs by Paolo Piva for B&B Italia in White Leather
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, B&B Italia, Paolo Piva
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
The most desirable of the Arcadia range. In chrome and white leather these chairs really pop, exuding timeless Mid-Century Modern style and panache. This design by Paolo Piva for B&B...
Chrome
Set of Four Arcadia Chairs by Paolo Piva for B&B, Italia
By Paolo Piva, B&B Italia
Located in Dronten, NL
These Arcadia dining chairs were designed by Paolo Piva and manufactured by B&B Italia. The seat backs are joined to the base with black enamele...
Chrome
Armchairs by Paolo Piva for B&B, Italy 1980s
By B&B Italia, Paolo Piva
Located in Greding, DE
Four armchairs with white leatherette upholstery and black details designed by Paolo Piva for B&B Italia. Good original condition with signs of age an...
Metal
Arcadia Chairs by Paolo Piva for B&B Italia, 1980s
By Paolo Piva
Located in Greding, DE
Arcadia chairs designed by Paolo Piva for B&B Italia in the 1980s. The chairs have a round backrest and black metal armrests and are completely covered w...
Metal
Sold
H 35.04 in W 18.51 in D 18.51 in
Set of Six Red Leather "Arcadia" Chairs by Paolo Piva for B&B, Italia
By Paolo Piva, B&B Italia
Located in Antwerp, BE
Red leather “Arcadia” chairs by Paolo Piva for B&B Italia, 1985. The base entire chair is upholstered in smooth red leather covered wood, flexible backr...
Metal
Set of Four Arcadia Chairs by Paolo Piva for B&B Italia
By Paolo Piva
Located in Dronten, NL
These dining chairs were designed by Paolo Piva and manufactured by B&B Italia. The chairs are upholstered entirely in black leather. The seat backs are joined to the base with black...
Steel
Set 4 Paolo Piva Leather Chairs for B&B Italia
By B&B Italia, Paolo Piva
Located in New York, NY
A set of four Arcadia dining chairs designed by Paolo Piva. Has a steel frame, covered in black leather with spring back rests, manufactured by ...
Steel