Tobia Scarpa - A legend of Italian architecture and design

Afra and Tobia Scarpa. Photo: Flos Historical Archive

Tobia Scarpa is one of Italy's most prominent architects and designers. He is known for his beautiful and functional design, and the products he designed can be found in many of the world's most important museums.

Tobia Scarpa's career is versatile, and he has designed both factories and furniture. He has also received several prestigious design awards.

In this blog post, we talk about Tobia Scarpa's life, the furniture he designed, and the collaboration with Afra Scarpa os. With Bianchi.

Tobia Scarpa was born in 1935 in Venice and he graduated as an architect in his hometown from the University of Venice in 1957. In the same year he won the "Compasso d'Oro" award for the Soriana armchair he designed for the Cassina design firm. From 1957 to 1961, Tobia worked as a glass designer at the Murano glass factory in Venini. In 1960, he founded a design office in Montebelluna together with his wife, designer Afra Scarpa.

Tobia Scarpa has also received numerous other design awards, and his designed products can be found in many of the world's most important museums.

Tobia Scarpa's career is diverse, and Scarpa has worked for both public and private clients. Scarpa has designed, among other things, factories and production facilities, such as the Benetton Group factory site and production facilities in Castrette di Villorba.

Since 2002, Tobia Scarpa has been teaching design at the design department of the Venice Luav University in Italy. Scarpa has always believed in designing without a rulebook. He dedicated his life to his art and work.

The spaces designed by Tobia Scarpa are still an example of aesthetic-functional excellence and one of the world's most exciting examples of industrial architecture. Especially the style he uses in furniture design is very recognizable and innovative. Tobia Scarpa left his mark on Italian design history, and his influence is still present in today's design.

The most famous furniture designed by Tobia Scarpa

Furniture designed by Tobia Scarpa is known for its beautiful design and functional implementation. The chairs, sofas and tables he designed have been recognized around the world.

One of Tobia Scarpa's most famous designs is the Cassina Soriana armchair. Designed in the 1960s, this armchair is still very popular and highly regarded, and is one of the most iconic works of Italian design. The curved design and comfort of the Soriana armchair have made it one of the most important furniture designs of the 20th century.

Chairs and sofas designed by Tobia Scarpa represent beauty and functionality. For example , the Bastiano sofa is a combination of softness and modern minimalism, and is made of high-quality leather. Tobia Scarpa has also designed many other pieces of furniture, such as tables, shelves and lamps.

Bastiano sofa

Tobia and Afra's collaboration and life

One cannot talk about Tobia Scarpa without mentioning his spouse and important collaborator Afra. Tobia Scarpa's collaboration with Afra Scarpa os. Bianchi started when they graduated as architects at the IUAV in Venice in 1957. They got married and began a joint design career that lasted their entire lives. Tobia Scarpa and Afra Bianchin designed furniture, lighting and buildings together, and their work left its mark on Italian design and architecture.

The products designed by Tobia and Afra were highly regarded, and their joint work significantly influenced Italian design from the 1970s to the 1980s. The factories and buildings they designed can still be seen around the world and are known for their beautiful design and functional execution. 

Tobia Scarpa and Afra Bianchin skilfully combined beauty and functionality in their design. The products and buildings they designed are highly regarded and are still considered iconic works of design. Their designs represent the spirit of their time and have inspired many other designers. Their works can also be found in museums around the world and in important collections such as the Louvre in Paris and the Museum of Modern Art, Moma in New York.

Tobia Scarpa and Afra Bianchin lived together until the end of their lives, and their joint careers left their mark on Italian design and architecture. Their work represents a high level of artistry and technical skill that has inspired and influenced many other designers. Their contribution to Italian design is priceless, and their work will surely continue to inspire new generations of designers.

Discover the Bastiano sofas and armchairs designed by this legendary designer for Gavina in 1960 in Fargo's selection!