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.
$3,540 / set
H 36.23 in W 17.72 in D 22.25 in
Italian modern light green blue chairs Quinta 605 by Mario Botta Alias, 1980s
By Mario Botta, Alias
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern light green blue chairs Quinta 605 by Mario Botta Alias, 1980s Pair of chairs mod. Quinta 605 in metal. The seat and backrest are made of a sheet of micro-perforated m...
Metal
$10,125Sale Price / set|35% Off
H 38.2 in W 17.92 in D 22.45 in
Postmodern Vintage Six Black Metal Armchairs Quinta Mario Botta Italy 1985
By Mario Botta
Located in Vienna, AT
Postmodern six ( 6 ) armchairs or dining chairs designed by Maria Botta 1985, Italy for Alias, Italy. A great and extraordinary set of six ( 6 ) dining chairs or armchairs in amazing...
Sheet 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
$7,500 / set
H 30.75 in W 22 in D 27 in
Pair of Steel Italian Memphis Architectural Chairs Attributed to Mario Botta
By Mario Botta
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of steel Italian Memphis architectural chairs attributed to Mario Botta. Extreme design with special attention to detail and craftsmanship. Leather seats and Backs. No labels on...
Steel
$4,130 / item
H 36.23 in W 17.72 in D 23.23 in
Pair of Quinta Chairs by Mario Botta for Alias, Black Perforated Steel, 1985
By Mario Botta, Alias
Located in Milano, IT
This pair of QUINTA chairs, designed in 1985 by renowned architect Mario Botta for Alias Design, embody the rigorous geometric language and architectural precision characteristic of ...
Metal, Steel
$4,956 / set
H 28.35 in W 20.48 in D 22.45 in
Pair Seconda Postmodern armchairs by Mario Botta for Alias, 1980s, Set of 2
By Shiro Kuramata, Michele de Lucchi, Alias, Philippe Starck, Mario Botta
Located in Brussels, Brussels
The Seconda Armchair, designed by Swiss architect Mario Botta and crafted by Alias, is a bold icon of postmodern design. Launched in 1982, it showcases Botta’s architectural backgro...
Steel, Sheet Metal
$4,248 / set
H 37.41 in W 17.72 in D 19.69 in
Set of Four "Quinta" Chairs Designed by Mario Botta for Alias, 1985
By Alias, Mario Botta
Located in taranto, IT
Set of four "Quinta" model chairs, designed by Mario Botta for Alias, in the 1980s. Entirely made of metal, with a very particular shape, they are in excellent condition. Measu...
Metal
Quinta Chairs by Mario Botta for Alias, Italy, 1980s
By Mario Botta, Alias
Located in Antwerp, BE
Designed by Swiss architect Mario Botta for Alias in the 1980s, the Quinta chair is a striking example of postmodern Italian furniture design. Its bold frame is constructed from blac...
Steel
Latonda chair designed by Mario Botta for Alias, Italy 1987
By Mario Botta, Alias
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
$2,714 / item
H 28.35 in W 20.48 in D 22.84 in
Mario Botta, 4 'Seconda' Black Metal Chairs, Alias Mod. 602, 1980s
By Mario Botta
Located in Argelato, BO
Three 'Seconda' chairs designed by the famous architect Mario Botta for the Italian firm Alias, model 602. All 4 are painted black both in the structure and in the seat, they bear ...
Steel
PAIR 1980s Postmodern Mario Botta Latonda Chair for Alias - 2 pcs
By Alias, Mario Botta
Located in Basel, BS
What Beauties! Stunning RARE PAIR of Mario Botta accent chairs for any space! Very fast shipping, insured 7-21 days. RARE Black leather model, with silver frame. Chair "Latonda" Pro...
Metal
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
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
Rare Black Leather Model 91 Chair by Mario Botta for Alias, 1991
By Alias, Mario Botta
Located in Basel, BS
What a beauty! Stunning accent chair for any space! Very fast shipping, insured 7-21 days. RARE Black leather model, with black frame. Chair "Botta '91" 1989 Design: 1989 Production...
Metal
Pair of Green Swedish Postmodern 80s Vintage Nils Gammelgaard Ikea "Ted" Chairs
By Anonima Castelli, Giancarlo Piretti, IKEA
Located in Basel, BS
Great opportunity to have a complete set of 2 of these wonderful 1980s Nils Gaamelgaard for Ikea chairs as a perfect pair of 2 in green! Sold here as a pair. Note: Green cushions wi...
Metal
PAIR Black + Clear Chair Model "Hydra" Roberto Semprini for Sintesi, Italy 1994
By Mario Cananzi & Roberto Semprini
Located in Basel, BS
A RARE Pair of Mid-century modern black and clear of original plastic rope chairs, model "Hydra" by Roberto Semprini for Sintesi - 1994. Superb statement, look stunning both inside a...
Metal
