Afra and Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia 'Dialogo Dessau' Dining Chairs

Afra and Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia, 'Dialogo Dessau' dining chairs, chromed steel, lacquered plastic, Italy, 1974

The Dialogo Dessau chair, with its distinctive cantilevered base and integrated armrests, showcases the Scarpa duo's commitment to form and function. The chairs feature a meticulously crafted backrest and seat, fashioned from sleek red molded plastic, adding a pop of color to the classic Bauhaus aesthetic. This creation exemplifies the Scarpa couple's ability to infuse a 1970s twist into timeless design principles, leaving an indelible mark on the world of furniture design.

Afra (1937-2011) & Tobia (1935-) Scarpa are a duo of Italian architects and designers mostly known for their postmodern style. Afra Bianchin was born in 1937 in Montebelluna while Tobia Scarpa, son of the architect Carlo Scarpa, was born in 1935 in Venice. The couple met when they were both studying at the Venice Institute of Architecture and married afterwards. From 1957 until 1961, Tobia worked as a glass designer at the Murano glassworks of Venini. However, in 1960, the duo started to collaborate, and they set up one of the most successful and well-known professional studios. Together, they worked for companies such as Flos Gavina, B&B Italia, and Knoll. The couple won numerous amounts of awards like the Compasso d’Oro and the International Forum Design. Throughout their career, the duo carried out commissions for well-known companies, including Benetton. Overall, their designs are known for their modernist aesthetic, prioritizing elegance and comfort. However, at the same time, their pieces are admired for the ease with which they lean towards classical designs. Moreover, the creations show their deep understanding for materials. Today, many of their works can be found in major museums such as Museum of Mod­ern Art of New York, Musée du Lou­vre, National Museum of Design New York and many more.

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