Juxtaposing sleek curves with angular, geometric shapes, the sophisticated minimalism of Paolo Piva’s furniture made him one of the most significant mid-century modern designers. Using understated, classic materials such as patent leather and glass, he created furniture that is as timeless as the buildings he designed as an internationally renowned architect. Piva’s armchairs, floor lamps and other furniture pieces were built to withstand changing tastes.
Born in 1950 in Adria in northern Italy, Piva pursued his career in design and architecture at the International University of the Arts in Venice under renowned architect Carlo Scarpa. While a student, he also worked with the Akademie für Angewandte Kunst in Vienna and the Institute of History and Architecture in Venice to create a major exhibition on Viennese architecture during the socialist period.
Gaining notice during his graduate studies in Rome, Piva established himself as an up-and-coming architect. In 1980, he emerged on the international scene with an acclaimed design for the Kuwait Embassy in Qatar, which led to design commissions for buildings and factories across Western Europe. At the same time, Piva began designing furniture that reflected the clean lines and artful forms of his building style. His most popular piece was the Pyramid coffee table, with inverted pyramids supporting a glass top.
A lifelong academic, Piva began teaching at the Akademie für Angewandte Kunst in 1988, becoming a full professor in 1991. He also collaborated with top brands, including Poliform, de Sede, B&B Italia, Wittmann and Riva 1920, designing center tables, club chairs and other furniture items. He continued his design pursuits throughout his life, traveling to conferences and exhibitions internationally up until his death in 2017.
Piva gained a nomination for the Compasso d’Oro award in 1987 and was one of the architects selected to design the Science and Technology Park in Vienna in 1995. His work has been exhibited at Galerie Ulysses in Vienna and the Architekturgalerie München in Munich, as well as in the VI Mostra internazionale di Architettura della Biennale di Buenos Aires.
On 1stDibs, delve into the graceful simplicity and elegant geometry of Paolo Piva’s lighting, tables, seating, and other furniture and collectibles.
Paolo Piva "Alanda" Rectangular Glass and Iron Mid-Century Coffee Table, 1979
By Paolo Piva
Located in Roma, Lazio
Astonishing Paolo Piva production B&B Italia, 1979 coffee table in black metal frame and glass top. Pleasant, linear and minimalist. Aesthetically, t...
Iron
Paolo Piva "Alanda" Rectangular Glass and Iron Mid-Century Coffee Table, 1979
By Paolo Piva
Located in Roma, Lazio
Astonishing Paolo Piva production B&B Italia, 1979 coffee table in black metal frame and glass top. Pleasant, linear and minimalist. Aestheticall...
Iron
Paolo Piva Style Coffee Table, 1980s
By B&B Italia, Paolo Piva
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Architectural coffee table reminiscent of the famed "Alanda" coffee table by Paolo Piva. Each unit is L-shaped, with a clear plate glass top carried by a black enameled metal wire fr...
Metal
Alanda metal coffee table by Paolo Piva for B&B Italia 70s
By Paolo Piva, B&B Italia
Located in Padova, IT
The Alanda coffee table, an iconic piece that ushered in the 1980s, is reissued as a tribute to Paolo Piva, the great architect and designer. A highly successful classic and one of t...
Metal
Architectural Rectangular Coffee Table in Steel and Glass
By Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold Christensen
Located in Dronten, NL
This table is the epitome of minimalistic yet monumental design. The asymmetrical shaped matte chrome steel frame holds a glass top. With this table the designer was able to get the ...
Steel
$1,514
H 12.01 in W 23.63 in D 47.25 in
Italian modern rectangular coffee table Alanda by Paolo Piva for B&B, 1980s
By B&B Italia, Paolo Piva
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern rectangular coffee table Alanda by Paolo Piva for B&B, 1980s Coffee table mod. Alanda with rectangular glass top. The black painted metal rod structure is made up of f...
Metal
$3,757
H 10.24 in W 47.25 in D 47.25 in
Alanda Coffee Table by Paolo Piva with Square Glass and Metal Structure
By Paolo Piva, B&B Italia
Located in Renens, CH
Alanda coffee table by Paolo Piva with square glass and metal structure This beautiful and minimalist coffee table is composed by a glass top with rounded edges sitting on an almo...
Metal
$1,972
H 12.21 in W 47.25 in D 23.63 in
"Alanda" coffee table in the style of Paolo Piva for B&B Italia, 1980s
By Paolo Piva
Located in Roma, RM
"Alanda" coffee table in the style of Paolo Piva for B&B Italia, 1980 Dimensions 120 W x 30.5 H x 60 D cm
Metal
$1,928
H 10.24 in W 47.25 in D 47.25 in
Steel and Glass Coffee Table "Alanda" by Paolo Piva for B&B Italia, 1980s
By Paolo Piva, B&B Italia
Located in taranto, IT
"Alanda" model coffee table, design Paolo Piva for B&B italia, 1980s inverted pyramid structure in black steel , light signs of wear due to age Size cm 120 x 120 x 26 will be shi...
Steel
Paolo Piva Style Coffee Table "Alanda" Square, Italy 1970s
By B&B Italia, Paolo Piva
Located in Naples, IT
Tavolino nello stile di Paolo Piva per B&B Italia, caratterizzato da una struttura in tondino di metallo verniciato nero e un piano in vetro trasparente. The distinctive base is a g...
Metal
$2,678
H 10.24 in W 47.25 in D 47.25 in
Paolo Piva B&B Italia Alanda 1980s Black Steel Square Glass Coffee Table sofa
By Paolo Piva
Located in London, GB
An iconic design by Paolo Piva for B&B Italia, this coffee table made in Italy around the 1980s. This coffee table consists of a geometric black lacquered iron base giving the illus...
Metal
Alanda Square Coffee Table by Paolo Piva for B&B Italia, 1980s
By Paolo Piva, B&B Italia
Located in Antwerp, BE
Alanda; Paolo Piva; 1980s; Italy; B&B Italia; coffee table; Modern Design; Late 19th century; Glass; Steel; Carlo Scarpa; Alanda coffee table by Paolo Piva for B&B Italia. one of I...
Steel
Alanda Square Coffee Table by Paolo Piva for B&B Italia
By Paolo Piva
Located in New York, NY
An authentic Alanda Square Coffee Table, designed by Paolo Piva for B&B Italia in the 1980s, features a black metal wire frame and a square glass top.
Metal, Wire
$1,408
H 10.63 in W 39.38 in D 39.38 in
Italian Design Coffee Table in The Style of Alanda by Paolo Piva, 1980s
By Paolo Piva, B&B Italia
Located in Vicenza, IT
Coffee table in the style of Alanda by Paolo Piva for B&B Italia. Step into the world of timeless elegance with the Alanda Coffee Table, a celebrated artifact that heralded the 80s ...
Steel