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.
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
Black Lacquered Dining Chairs Kazuki by Kazuhide Takahama for Simon, Italy, 1970
By Simon International, Kazuhide Takahama
Located in Renens, CH
Black lacquered wood dining chairs Kazuki by Kazuhide Takahama for Simon Gavina, Italy. The Japanese architect and designer Takahama emigrated to Italy end of the 1950's to start working with Diego Gavina with whom he started a long lasting collaboration. He designed for the Simon branch of Gavina's company a series of lacquered furniture such as the Antella console, the Bramante cupboard inspired by ancient Japanese lacquered wood craftsmanship. The Kazuki chair...
Wood
Artona 8551 Sidechair by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto - 1980s
By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Renens, CH
The Artona 8551 sidechair by Afra and Tobia Scarpa was produced by Maxalto Italy in the early 1980s, it is part of the iconic Artona collection collection (also known for the Africa ...
Leather
French Design Philippe Starck Miss Dorn Chair for Disform
By Disform, Philippe Starck
Located in Renens, CH
Philippe Starck – Miss Dorn Chair in black coated steel, produced by Disform in France, 1980s. Starck, a pioneering French designer, is well known fo...
Steel
Mario Bellini for Cassina CAB 412, Set of 12, 1990s
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Renens, CH
Set of 12 Cab 412 side chairs in black leather by Mario Bellini for Cassina. The Cab chair is built up as a tubular frame over which thick saddle leather is fitted; the leather skin...
Metal
Gio Ponti, Leggera Chair for Cassina, 1970s – Set of six
By Gio Ponti, Cassina
Located in Renens, CH
The 646 Leggera chair is an iconic design created by the renowned Italian architect and designer Gio Ponti; Designed in 1952, this chair is celebrated for its lightweight and elegant...
Fabric, Ash
Mario Botta, '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 three are painted black both in the structure and in the seat, they bea...
Steel
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
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
Mario Botta Seconda Chairs, Set of 4
By Mario Botta
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Designed in 1982 by renowned Swiss architect Mario Botta for the Italian brand Alias, the Seconda chair is a definitive icon of the Postmodern era. Celebrated for its rigid geometry,...
Metal, Steel, Cut Steel, Sheet Metal, Steel Mesh
"Seconda 602" Chairs by Mario Botta for Alias, 1980s, set of 6
By Mario Botta, Alias
Located in bruxelles, BE
Set of 6 gray and black chairs by Mario Botta. Stamped Alias. Seat height: 46 cm. Wear due to time and age of chairs. For shipping, request us for receive the best price.
Metal
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
