Swiss architect Mario Botta may be renowned for his impressive postmodern architecture projects such as the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, but the chairs, lighting and other furniture he created reflect a mastery of geometrically rich forms and an elegant application of simple symmetry.
Born in Mendrisio, Switzerland, in 1943, Botta gained an interest in architecture at an early age. He apprenticed at the architectural firm Carloni and Camenisch and designed his first building — a two-family house at Morbis Superiore in Ticino — at age 16. During the early 1960s, Botta attended the Liceo Artistico in Milan and then studied at the University Institute of Architecture in Venice under art historian Giuseppe Mazzariol and influential Italian architect Carlo Scarpa.
While studying in Venice, Botta worked for Swiss-born French architect Le Corbusier — whose career spanned hundreds of architecture projects — and gained inspiration from Estonian-American architect Louis Kahn, who was known for his modern and brutalist architectural style. In 1969, Botta completed his studies and established his practice in Lugano, designing and building single-family homes.
Throughout the 1970s, Botta gained fame for his innovative, geometrical designs and deceptively simple forms, such as his first large-scale building project in 1977 — the Middle School in Morbio Inferiore, Switzerland. Botta later established himself as one of the masters of 1980s postmodern design in his architecture and his furniture. His postmodern ideas characterize the dining room tables and seating he designed for companies such as Alias, as well as his table lamps and floor lamps for Artemide.
Botta’s noteworthy architectural projects designed during the 1990s and 2000s include the Cymbalista Synagogue and Jewish Heritage Center in Tel Aviv, Israel; the Monastery of the Holy Apostles Saint Peter and Andrew in Lviv, Ukraine; and the Theater of Architecture in Mendrisio, in 2018.
On 1stDibs, discover a range of vintage Mario Botta lighting fixtures, seating, tables and decorative objects.
Mario Botta Latonda Chair
By Mario Botta, Alias
Located in Barcelona, ES
The 'Latonda' chair was designed by the famous Swiss architect Mario Botta in 1987 for the Italian company Alias. This chair has become an icon of contemporary design and is characte...
Steel, Sheet Metal
Latonda chair designed by Mario Botta for Alias, Italy 1987
By Alias, Mario Botta
Located in Milano, IT
Latonda chair designed by Mario Botta for Alias, Italy 1987 The bent steel tube traces a fluid curve that gracefully moves through space. The two inclined circles, broken at the cen...
Steel
$1,164
H 36.62 in W 22.45 in D 17.72 in
Italian postmodern metal Quinta 605 chair by Mario Botta for Alias, 1980s
By Alias, Mario Botta
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian postmodern metal Quinta 605 chair by Mario Botta for Alias, 1980s. Quinta 605 chair, postmodern Italian, in metal by Mario Botta for Alias 1980 Quinta 605 armchair with seat ...
Metal
$2,353 / item
H 28.35 in W 20.48 in D 22.05 in
Post Modern Swiss Design Black Seconda Chair by Mario Botta for Alias, 1980s
By Mario Botta, Alias
Located in Renens, CH
Seconda Chair by Mario Botta for Alias, 1980s The Seconda Chair (1982) is an iconic piece of design, with use of materials that are typical for Botta’s furniture and lamps: Sheet me...
Metal
$1,200Sale Price / item|42% Off
H 33.08 in W 19.69 in D 23.23 in
1980s Postmodern Mario Botta Latonda Chair for Alias (two available) -- 1 pc
By Alias, Mario Botta
Located in Basel, BS
What a beauty! Stunning RARE Mario Botta accent chair for any space! Very fast shipping, insured 7-21 days. RARE Black leather model, with silver frame. Chair "Latonda" Production: ...
Metal
$2,706 / item
H 28.35 in W 20.48 in D 22.84 in
Mario Botta, 4 'Seconda' Metal Chairs, Alias Mod. 602, 1980s
By Mario Botta
Located in Argelato, BO
Mario Botta, set of 4 "Seconda" Armchairs produced by Alias, Italy 1982. Structure with armrests in gray powder-coated steel, black seat in perforated steel sheet. Backrest made up...
Steel
$1,288
H 37.4 in W 17.71 in D 21.65 in
Mario Botta La Quinta chair for Alias, Switzerland 1985, One Chair
By Alias, Mario Botta
Located in Basel, BS
Fast Shipping, insured in 8-15 days. Mint condition original 1980s La Quinta chair by Mario Botta Chairs for Alias. One chair is left. During the 198...
Metal, Sheet Metal
Seconda Chairs by Mario Botta for Alias, Set of 4 circa 1980
By Mario Botta
Located in Greensboro, NC
Set of 4 “Seconda” chairs designed by Italian architect and designer Mario Botta. These chairs are a vintage Alias production, circa 1980s. Chairs show well with minor wear commens...
Metal
Swiss ‘Quinta’ Accent Chair by Mario Botta for Alias, 1985
By Mario Botta
Located in Chicago, IL
Designed by Swiss architect Mario Botta for Alias in 1985, the ‘Quinta’ chair is composed of a black-lacquered steel rod frame with a perforated sheet metal seat and back. Its archit...
Metal, Steel
$4,706 / set
H 28.35 in W 22.45 in D 18.9 in
Mario Botta for Atlas, Pair of Black "Prima" Chairs, Italy, 1980s
By Mario Botta, Atlas
Located in Naples, IT
Designed in 1982 by the legendary Swiss architect Mario Botta for Alias, the "Prima" chair is one of the purest and most recognizable symbols of postmodern design and architecture ap...
Metal
Pillow Chair by Ash - Navy Velvet
By ASH NYC
Located in New York, NY
The Ash Pillow Chair, everyone’s favorite companion reimagined in a new textile in four luscious colorways. A comfortable, custom-woven, fully upholst...
Velvet
Pillow Chair by Ash - Mushroom Velvet
By ASH NYC
Located in New York, NY
The Ash Pillow Chair, everyone’s favorite companion reimagined in a new textile in four luscious colorways. A comfortable, custom-woven, fully upholstered velvet throne dreamed in an...
Velvet
Pillow Chair by Ash - Cream Velvet
By ASH NYC
Located in New York, NY
The Ash Pillow Chair, everyone’s favorite companion reimagined in a new textile in four luscious colorways. A comfortable, custom-woven, fully upholst...
Velvet
Pillow Chair by Ash - Mint Velvet
By ASH NYC
Located in New York, NY
The Ash Pillow Chair, everyone’s favorite companion reimagined in a new textile in four luscious colorways. A comfortable, custom-woven, fully upholstered velvet throne dreamed in an...
Velvet
Wall-Mounted Coat Rack with Mirror by Georges Jouve
By Georges Jouve
Located in New York, NY
Vintage, sculptural wall-mounted coat rack with mirror by Georges Jouve and Marcel Asselbur. 4 black, ceramic hooks with gilded metal arms attached to m...
Mirror
