Giovannetti, Contemporary 2 Seater Sofa from the 1970s by P. Piva Cream "Boss"

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.

Merged into the green of the Pistoia countryside, there’s the giovannetti plant, which, due to the peculiarity of its structure, may be defined almost a “totem” of architecture of the seventies. The company, founded and still lead with great energy by Chevalier of Industry Benito Luigi Giovannetti, was born in the mid sixties and gained immediately the worldwide attention with its innovative and researched products, perfectly matching the climate of experimentation of those years, when new forms were created and new ways were sought to satisfy the growing necessity of relaxing, joining together and conversing. Joining ideas and numbers, Anfibio represented the commercial growth of the company (40.000 pieces produced since 1970) and made its raise to the olympus of art and design. In 1972 Anfibio was presented in New-York at a famous exhibition called “The Italian landscape”, showing the highlights of Italian design; the following year it became part of the collection of the most important Museum of Contemporary Art, the MoMa in New York.