Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 11

Studio BBPR for Olivetti 'Spazio' Desks in Grey Coated Steel

$4,950per item
£3,705per item
€4,281.17per item
CA$6,864per item
A$7,688.56per item
CHF 3,997.20per item
MX$94,938.27per item
NOK 50,921.15per item
SEK 48,138.02per item
DKK 31,948.46per item
Quantity
Shipping
Retrieving quote...
The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation

About the Item

Studio BBPR for Olivetti, 'Spazio' writing desks, 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 ones shown here. It won the Compasso d'Oro Award in 1962. The desk contains two compartments, one of which has three drawers. The top is furnished with green vinyl which adds a fresh 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 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. Please note that the pieces are in used condition with stains on the steel, fissures in the plastic elements and scratches. Restoration can be done before shipping by our experienced craftspeople in our own in-house restoration atelier. With high attention for the original, they make sure every piece contains its value and is ready for the many years to come. We kindly ask you to contact our design experts for further information about the endless possibilities our restoration and upholstery atelier has to offer. Of course, a locally organized reupholstery is possible as well. The listed price, is the price per item.
  • Creator:
    Studio BBPR (Designer),Olivetti (Manufacturer)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 31.11 in (79 cm)Width: 63 in (160 cm)Depth: 31.89 in (81 cm)
  • Style:
    Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Plastic,Steel
  • Place of Origin:
    Italy
  • Period:
    1960-1969
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1960s
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. Every item Morentz offers is checked by our team of 30 craftsmen 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: 501139861stDibs: LU933136979222

More From This Seller

View All
Studio BBPR for Olivetti 'Spazio' Desks in Grey Coated Steel
By Studio BBPR, Olivetti
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Studio BBPR for Olivetti, 'Spazio' writing desks, 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

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

Studio BBPR for Olivetti Spazio Desk
By Studio BBPR, Olivetti
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Studio B.B.P.R. for Olivetti, 'Spazio' desk with drawers, metal, vinyl, plastic, Italy, circa 1960 This industrial 'Spazio' desk is designed by Studio B.B.P.R. A black vinyl tablet...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Studio BBPR 'Spazio' Corner Desk with Movable Cabinet
By Studio BBPR, Olivetti
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Studio BBPR for Olivetti, 'Spazio' writing desk with various storage compartments, coated steel, plastic, vinyl, Italy, design 1959/60, production 1960s In 1954, Olivetti, the Ital...
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

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

Friso Kramer for Ahrend De Cirkel Dining Table or Desk in Grey
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel, table, lacquered steel, melamine-coated wood, aluminum, The Netherlands, design 1955 Designed by Dutch designer Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel ...
Category

Vintage 1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

You May Also Like

Bbpr for Olivetti, Spazio Table, Desk, 1950s/60s
By Studio BBPR
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Large 'Spazio' table or desk with a top covered in green vinyl, resting on a gray and black metal base. The feet end with black circular tips. Studio BBPR model for Olivetti, in the...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Industrial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Grey metal & Pagwood 1960s Dattilo low desk/console by BBPR for Olivetti Synthes
By Olivetti, Studio BBPR
Located in Varese, Lombardia
small typist's desk, arco model for olivetti synthesys. Ideal as a console, service table or additional support surface for the main desk. Historic piece of Italian design from the 6...
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Space Age Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Studio BBPR for Olivetti "Spazio" Desk with an Olive Felt Top, Italy, 1960's
By Studio BBPR, Olivetti
Located in Uithoorn, NL
Studio BBPR for Olivetti "Spazio" Desk with an Olive Felt Top, Italy, 1960's Designed in the 1960's by the Italian architecture collective Studio BBPR, this desk is a compact but di...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Studio BBPR, Desk and cabinet mod. Spazio, prod. Olivetti 1960s
By Studio BBPR, Olivetti
Located in Rivoli, IT
Desk and cabinet mod. Spazio designed by Studio BBPR and produced for Olivetti in the 1960s Painted metal frame, plastic, vinyl leather desk and cabinet top. 78x130x80.5 cm desk cm ...
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather

Desk by BBPR for Olivetti Synthesis, circa 1960
By Studio BBPR, Olivetti
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
desk and his lamp by BBPR for Olivetti Synthesis, circa 1960 The keys are present, some scratches on the board.
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Desk by Studio BBPR for Olivetti
By Studio BBPR
Located in Brussels, BE
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Plastic