Tobia Scarpa

Tobia Scarpa is an Italian designer and architect born in 1935 in Venice, Italy. He studied architecture at the University of Iuav di Venezia, graduating in 1957. After graduating, he began collaborating with his wife Afra Scarpa, with whom he created a number of important designs. Scarpa designed for many Italian and international firms, including B&B Italia, Flos, Benetton and Fabbian. The designer's career was long and prolific, filled with major awards, including the Compasso d'Oro in 1969 and The International Forum Design Hanover Award in 1992.

His work is included in the collections of cultural institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago. Scarpa is known for furniture design that combines cutting-edge technology, ergonomic function and cultural history. It is from history that much of the inspiration he puts into his designs comes. He is also involved in art restoration, graphic design and educating people in the field of design and architecture.