Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 12

Studio BBPR for Olivetti 'Spazio' Shelving System in Green Coated Steel

About the Item

Studio BBPR for Olivetti, 'Spazio' shelving system, coated steel, plastic, Italy, design 1959/60, production 1960s In 1954, Olivetti, the Italian office equipment manufacturer, hired BBPR to design their New York showroom on Fifth Avenue and to create their first series of office furniture, called Spazio (1959/60). This line included chairs, desks, shelving, and cabinet systems, just like the one shown here. Functionality plays a major role in this freestanding shelving system. This is established by the possibility to freely rearrange the structure to your personal preferences. Par example, you can use it simultaneously as a storage facility and room divider. In addition, this item consists of three columns accompanied by multiple shelves, holding great storage space. The streamlined construction and the industrial appearance of the pistachio green coated steel, makes this long wall-unit a truly unique piece to store and showcase your valued belongings. The design won the Compasso d'Oro Award in 1962. Studio B.B.P.R. was an Italian architectural partnership founded in Milan in 1932 by Gianluigi Banfi (1910-1945), Lodovico Barbiano di Belgiojoso (1909-2004), Enrico Peressutti (1908-1976) and Ernesto Nathan Rogers (1909-1969) who had studied at the Politecnico di Milano. B.B.P.R. was thus an acronym formed from the first letters of their family names. The architects found each other in their opposition to fascism in Italy in the 1930s and 1940s during Mussolini's autocratic regime. The architects therefore believed in developing a style that would have no references to contemporary politics. During the Second World War, they all joined the resistance. However, Rogers, a Jew, fled to Switzerland and both Belgiojoso and Banfi were deported to the Mauthausen concentration camp in Austria, where Banfi died in 1945. Despite the immense loss of Banfi, their architectural practice continued in the same name as before after the war. Especially during the 1950s, they created many of their great projects. With their designs, they strongly reacted against the International Style with its rectilinear forms and taut plane surfaces that have been completely stripped of applied ornamentation. Instead, the group enriched their buildings with medieval references. For B.B.P.R., their philosophy on art and architecture is somewhat between tradition and modernism; their use of post-beam structures and modular elements parallels with the constructive thinking of modern architects. However, as modernism rejects the existence of historical forms, B.B.P.R. reinterprets history's heritage and continues with respect for the work of their predecessors. Ernesto Nathan Rogers referred to it as “preesistenze ambientali” (the pre-existing environment) and adopt a “caso per caso” (case by case) interpretation to work with, instead of against, the surroundings. One of their well-known designs is the creation of the Torre Velasca in Milan, with strong references to medieval architecture. The architects were also frequently employed to create interior spaces altogether with furniture designs.
  • Creator:
    Olivetti (Manufacturer),Studio BBPR (Designer)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 78.75 in (200 cm)Width: 99.61 in (253 cm)Depth: 13.78 in (35 cm)
  • Style:
    Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1960s
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. Every item Morentz offers is checked by our team of 30 craftspeople in our in-house workshop. Special restoration or reupholstery requests can be done. Check ‘About the item’ or ask our design specialists for detailed information on the condition.
  • Seller Location:
    Waalwijk, NL
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 501150411stDibs: LU933143068582

More From This Seller

View All
Studio BBPR for Olivetti 'Spazio' Shelving System in Metal
By Studio BBPR
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Studio BBPR for Olivetti, 'Spazio' shelving system, lacquered steel, plastic, Italy, design 1959/60, production 1960s In 1954, Olivetti, the Italian office equipment manufacturer, ...
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Steel

Studio BBPR for Olivetti ‘Spazio’ Sideboard in Green Coated Steel
By Olivetti, Studio BBPR
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Studio BBPR for Olivetti, 'Spazio' sideboard, lacquered steel, faux leather, vinyl, plastic, Italy, design 1959/60, production 1960s In 1954, Olivetti, the Italian office equipment...
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Cabinets

Materials

Steel

Rare Studio BBPR for Olivetti ‘Spazio’ Sideboard in Green Coated Steel
By Studio BBPR, Olivetti
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Studio BBPR for Olivetti, 'Spazio' sideboard, coated steel, plastic, vinyl, Italy, design 1959/60, production 1960s In 1954, Olivetti, the Italian office equipment manufacturer, hired BBPR to design their New York showroom on Fifth Avenue and to create their first series of office furniture, called Spazio (1959/60). This line included chairs, shelving, cabinet systems, and desks, just like the one shown here. It won the Compasso d'Oro Award in 1962. The cabinet contains compartments with drawers secured on both sides. The top is furnished with dark brown vinyl which adds a sturdy touch the overall industrial appearance. Studio B.B.P.R. was an Italian architectural partnership founded in Milan in 1932 by Gianluigi Banfi (1910-1945), Lodovico Barbiano di Belgiojoso (1909-2004), Enrico Peressutti (1908-1976) and Ernesto Nathan Rogers (1909-1969) who had studied at the Politecnico di Milano. B.B.P.R. was thus an acronym formed from the first letters of their family names. The architects found each other in their opposition to fascism in Italy in the 1930s and 1940s during Mussolini's autocratic regime. The architects therefore believed in developing a style that would have no references to contemporary politics. During the Second World War, they all joined the resistance. However, Rogers, a Jew, fled to Switzerland and both Belgiojoso and Banfi were deported to the Mauthausen concentration camp in Austria, where Banfi died in 1945. Despite the immense loss of Banfi, their architectural practice continued in the same name as before after...
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sideboards

Materials

Steel

Studio BBPR for Olivetti ‘Spazio’ Sideboard in Grey Coated Steel
By Olivetti, Studio BBPR
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Studio BBPR for Olivetti, 'Spazio' sideboard, coated steel, vinyl, plastic, Italy, design 1959/60, production 1960s In 1954, Olivetti, the Italian office equipment manufacturer, hi...
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sideboards

Materials

Steel

Studio BBPR for Olivetti 'Spazio' Sideboard in Yellow Coated Steel
By Studio BBPR, Olivetti
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Studio BBPR for Olivetti, 'Spazio' sideboard, coated steel, plastic, glass, vinyl, Italy, design 1959/60, production, 1960s. In 1954, Olivetti, the Italian office equipment manufact...
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sideboards

Materials

Steel

Studio BBPR for Olivetti 'Spazio' Desk in Grey Coated Steel
By Studio BBPR, Olivetti
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Studio BBPR for Olivetti, 'Spazio' writing desk, coated steel, plastic, vinyl, Italy, design 1959/60, production 1960s In 1954, Olivetti, the Italian office equipment manufacturer,...
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

You May Also Like

Office Furniture by Bbpr for Olivetti Synthesis, circa 1960
By Olivetti, Studio BBPR
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Office furniture by BBPR for Olivetti Synthesis, circa 1960.  
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Metal

Studio BBPR for Olivetti Sintesis "Arco" Office 3-Drawer Desk, Italy 1960s
By Olivetti, Studio BBPR
Located in Naples, IT
Desk Mod. "Arco" designed by Studio BBPR for Olivetti Sintesis in 1963. The desk has an iron frame and base on one side and has a case containing 3 drawers and the original metal was...
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Iron

1960s Arco Office 3-Drawer Desk by Studio BBPR for Olivetti Sintesis
By Studio BBPR, Olivetti
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an Arco desk, designed by Studio B.B.P.R for Olivetti Sintesis in 1963. The piece was manufactured in Italy in the 1960s. The frame and base are made of iron, and it has a ca...
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Modern Desks

Materials

Iron

Industrial Trienniale Bookcase or Shelving System in Green Steel by Lips Vago
By Lips Vago
Located in London, London
'Trienniale' shelving unit by Lips Vago. In dark green lacquered steel, Italy, 1950s. With adjustable shelves. A further seven Congresso bookcases available in different colours. Pl...
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Steel

Casey Lurie Studio Modern Low "Pylon" Shelving System in Ash
By Casey Lurie
Located in Chicago, IL
The “Pylon” profile comprises overhanging, interleaved shelves grounded by stacked, conical spacers. These solid elements add visual weight and totemic structure to the shelf system’...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Bookcases

Materials

Metal, Brass, Stainless Steel

20th Century, Studio BBPR attr. Wooden Wall Bookcase 70s
By Studio BBPR
Located in Turin, Turin
The BBPR studio, founded in Milan in 1932 by Gian Luigi Banfi, Lodovico Barbiano di Belgiojoso, Enrico Peressutti and Ernesto Nathan Rogers, constitutes one of the earliest and most ...
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Metal

Recently Viewed

View All