TOBIA SCARPA

Italian architect-designer Tobia Scarpa (1935 - ) is recognized for his classic designs produced by a variety of leading international manufacturers of furniture and lighting including Cassina, Knoll, Flos, B&B Italia and Meritalia. As a point of reference Scarpa was commissioned, along with Pier Castiglioni, to design the very first models for the lighting company Flos started by Dino Gavina. Scarpa collaborated on many designs throughout his career with his wife Afra. Both Tobia and Afra were greatly influenced by Tobia’s father Carlo Scarpa, particularly in the technical properties and aesthetic possibilities of materials, an outlook that Tobia shared through his own work for the famous Venini glassworks company in the late 1950s. Tobia and Afra are also known for their work in commercial architecture and interior design, especially later in their career. Some of their best-known work is for the Benetton clothing company. They are credited with several interiors for them and for their prototype store in Italy. Tobia has also been a lecturer at the School of Industrial Design in Venice. The marital duo's designs are on show in main museums all over the world and many have been chosen for various international design exhibitions. Throughout his career Tobia worked with the motto that design "is a profession without a rule book...that which remains (and is worth talking about) is that final and concrete result: the object. For a crossection of their designs refer to bonluxat and architonic links below. Vintage designs are sold internationally through fine dealers and auction houses.

related links:
http://www.1stdibs.com/
http://www.architonic.com/pmpro/tobia-scarpa/8100651/2/2/1
http://www.bonluxat.com/d/tobia-scarpa.html
http://www.flos.com/
http://www.meritalia.it/

images: (click on images to enlarge)
Fantasma floor lamp for Flos c1960s, c/o Steven Learner Studio’s Tribecca Penthouse project (top)
Andre cocktail table for Knoll c1960s (2nd)
Soriana club chair for Cassina c1970s (3rd)
Carlotta armchair for Cassina c1960s (4th)
Model 925 lounge chair for Cassina c1960s (bottom)