Coffee table, "André" model, by Tobia Scarpa, Knoll International
United States, circa 1970
“André” table in chrome metal and glass, by Tobia Scarpa, Gavina
Italy, 1960
Biography
Tobia Scarpa (1935 – )
Tobia Scarpa, Italian architect and designer, was born in Venice in 1935. He is the son of the famous architect and designer Carlo Scarpa. Tobia Scarpa obtained his architectural diploma in 1957 in his hometown (IUAV). In his long professional career, inseparable from that of his wife, Afra, herself an architect, he dealt with architecture, renovation, exhibitions, design, graphics and teaching.
From 1957 to 1961, Tobia began his career working as a glass designer at the Murano glassworks of Venini.
In 1960, he opened his own design office in Montebelluna with Afra. Their design work includes architecture and everyday household items including furniture, clothing, interior design and art glass. They focused on the technical and aesthetic possibilities of the materials. The creations of Tobia and Afra Scarpa thus integrate new technologies, while retaining their history, their form and their function. The couple is strongly influenced in their achievements by Tobia’s father, Carlo Scarpa.
Tobia and Afra Scarpa designed furniture for Gavina (like the « Bastiano » sofa in 1961), then followed up with projects with several other companies. Their most remarkable works are produced for B&B Italia (“Coronado” sofa 1966), Cassina (“Soriana” armchair 1968) and Meritalia (“Libert” chair 1989).
In 1964, they collaborated with clothing company Benetton to design the company’s first textile factory. Afra and Tobia Scarpa then created the Benetton offices in Paris, Friborg and New York.
In 1973, they created the “Papillon” lamp for Flos, one of the first lighting designs to use halogen technology. They also work for Fabbian (“Saturnina” 1998 and “Galeto” 2001 lamps) and Veas (“Scandola” metal lamp).
Afra and Tobia Scarpa won numerous awards such as the Compasso d’Oro, for the first time in 1969, or the International Forum Design in 1992. Numerous publications are devoted to them in national and international magazines (such as L’ŒIL) . Their works are exhibited in many museums around the world and monographic exhibitions take place in Milan, New York, Chicago, Toronto, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Bordeaux.
Since 2002, Tobia Scarpa has taught in the design department of the Università Iuav di Venezia in Venice, Italy. Tobia Scarpa has always believed that design is a profession without rules. His timeless designs, including Fantasma and Foglio, are a true representation of his design philosophy and unrivaled mastery of the craft.
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