Tobia Scarpa

Tobia Scarpa (b. 1935) is an Italian architect and designer whose work has played a significant role in shaping post-war Italian design. The son of architect Carlo Scarpa, he studied architecture at the Università Iuav di Venezia and graduated in 1969. Together with his wife Afra Scarpa, he developed a body of work spanning furniture, lighting, and industrial design, characterized by a refined balance between material, structure, and form.

Biography

Working in close collaboration with Afra Scarpa, Tobia Scarpa established a long-standing partnership with leading Italian manufacturers including B&B Italia, Cassina, Flos, and Gavina. Their designs from the 1960s and 1970s reflect a deep sensitivity to materials and construction, often emphasizing clarity of structure and an honest expression of how objects are made.

Among their most recognized works are the Soriana lounge seating for Cassina (1969), awarded the Compasso d’Oro in 1970, and the Bastiano sofa (1962) for Gavina, which demonstrates a restrained, architectural approach to upholstered furniture. In lighting, Scarpa collaborated with Flos, creating pieces defined by technical precision and understated elegance.

Scarpa’s work is distinguished by its rigorous attention to proportion, innovative use of materials, and a consistent dialogue between craft and industrial production. His designs remain influential within the context of Italian modernism, valued for their structural clarity and enduring aesthetic relevance.