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.
2005 Paolo Piva for B&B ltalia Arcadia Dining Side Chair in Tan Leather
By B&B Italia, Paolo Piva
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These are Arcadia armless dining chairs, initially designed by Paolo Piva for B&B Italia in 1989. These particular examples date to 2005. They feature a simplistic modern design ...
Steel, Chrome
2005 Paolo Piva for B&B ltalia Arcadia High Back Dining Side Chair in Leather
By Paolo Piva, B&B Italia
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These are Arcadia armless high back dining chairs, initially designed by Paolo Piva for B&B Italia in 1989. These particular examples date to the 2000s. They feature a simplistic...
Steel, Chrome
1990s Arcadia Dining Side Chair by Paolo Piva for B&B Italia in Ivory Leather
By B&B Italia, Paolo Piva
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an ‘Arcadia’ armless dining chair, initially designed by Paolo Piva for B & B Italia in 1989. This piece was produced in Italy around the same time. It features a simplis...
Steel, Chrome
Woven Rush-Backed Dining Side Chair by Mel Smilow
By Mel Smilow
Located in New York, NY
Originally designed by Mel Smilow in 1956 and officially reintroduced by his daughter Judy Smilow in 2018, the woven rush dining side chair is classically midcentury. This collection...
Rush, Walnut
$3,530 / set
H 35.04 in W 18.12 in D 21.26 in
B&B Italia Model Arcadia Dining Leather Chair Paolo Piva Set of 4
By Matteo Grassi
Located in Munich, Bavaria
Paolo Piva designed this dining chairs for B&B Italia. Model Arcadia in heavenblue leather colour and the insides from the feet are in black plastic. It fits well with memphis design...
Metal, Chrome
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
Mario Bellini Tan Cab Side Dining Chair for Cassina
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This iconic design by Mario Bellini for Cassina designed 1977, Italy, features the original natural toned saddle leather which is wrapped atop a steel frame. The back of each leg fea...
Steel
$907Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 30.32 in W 24.81 in D 22.05 in
Side Chairs - B&B Italia Iuta by Antonio Citterio
By B&B Italia, Antonio Citterio
Located in Highclere, Newbury
Pair of white metal mesh and fabric B&B Italia Iuta side chairs by Antonio Citterio. Antonia Citterio’s work encompasses furniture, architecture and interiors and spans the last 30 years; most notably with B&B Italia, Vitra and Kartell. The Iuta collection is a B&B Italia icon that dates back to the late 1980s and has been produced and re-introduced over the years in a number of versions. The seating range uses...
Steel, Chrome
$925 / item
H 38 in W 19 in D 18 in
Louis XVI Style Painted Square Back Side or Dining Chair for custom order
Located in Oakville, ON
This Louis XVI style square back dining chair is one of our most popular, best seller dining chair for us. The frame is made in Italy of soli...
Wood
$3,195 / set
H 28.5 in W 19 in D 19.5 in
Set of Eight Pascal Mourgue for Artelano Rio Side or Dining Chairs France 1990s
By Pascal Mourgue
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A set of eight stackable chairs designed by Pascal Mourgue and manufactured by Artelano in Paris in the early 1990s. Simple and understated yet curvy and sexy, the Rio chairs...
Metal, Enamel
$2,647 / 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
Mario Bellini Cab Side Dining Chair for Cassina
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This iconic design by Mario Bellini for Cassina, designed 1977, Italy, features the original natural toned saddle leather which is wrapped atop a steel frame. The back of each leg fe...
Steel
Mario Bellini Cab Side Dining Chair for Cassina
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This iconic design by Mario Bellini for Cassina, Italy, features the original natural toned saddle leather which is wrapped atop a steel frame. The back of each leg features a black ...
Steel
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
Vintage POSTMODERN Leather Club Chair by Paolo Piva
By Paolo Piva, Wittmann
Located in Oxnard, CA
Here is a fantastic postmodern 1980s leather chair by Paolo Piva for Wittman. This unique oversized chair features supple grey leather with ribbing details accented by spherical wood...
Leather