Juxtaposing sleek curves with angular, geometric shapes, the sophisticated minimalism of Paolo Piva’s furniture made him one of the most significant mid-century modern designers. Using understated, classic materials such as patent leather and glass, he created furniture that is as timeless as the buildings he designed as an internationally renowned architect. Piva’s armchairs, floor lamps and other furniture pieces were built to withstand changing tastes.
Born in 1950 in Adria in northern Italy, Piva pursued his career in design and architecture at the International University of the Arts in Venice under renowned architect Carlo Scarpa. While a student, he also worked with the Akademie für Angewandte Kunst in Vienna and the Institute of History and Architecture in Venice to create a major exhibition on Viennese architecture during the socialist period.
Gaining notice during his graduate studies in Rome, Piva established himself as an up-and-coming architect. In 1980, he emerged on the international scene with an acclaimed design for the Kuwait Embassy in Qatar, which led to design commissions for buildings and factories across Western Europe. At the same time, Piva began designing furniture that reflected the clean lines and artful forms of his building style. His most popular piece was the Pyramid coffee table, with inverted pyramids supporting a glass top.
A lifelong academic, Piva began teaching at the Akademie für Angewandte Kunst in 1988, becoming a full professor in 1991. He also collaborated with top brands, including Poliform, de Sede, B&B Italia, Wittmann and Riva 1920, designing center tables, club chairs and other furniture items. He continued his design pursuits throughout his life, traveling to conferences and exhibitions internationally up until his death in 2017.
Piva gained a nomination for the Compasso d’Oro award in 1987 and was one of the architects selected to design the Science and Technology Park in Vienna in 1995. His work has been exhibited at Galerie Ulysses in Vienna and the Architekturgalerie München in Munich, as well as in the VI Mostra internazionale di Architettura della Biennale di Buenos Aires.
On 1stDibs, delve into the graceful simplicity and elegant geometry of Paolo Piva’s lighting, tables, seating, and other furniture and collectibles.
Mid-Century Modern Paolo Piva Glass Top and Metal Base Italian Coffee Table
By Paolo Piva, B&B Italia
Located in Madrid, ES
Rectangular coffee table designed by Paolo Piva for B&B, Italy, 1970s. Made of black lacquered metal structure geometric base and glass top. Paolo Piva: Born in Adria in 1950, he be...
Metal
Paolo Piva Style Coffee Table, 1980s
By B&B Italia, Paolo Piva
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Architectural coffee table reminiscent of the famed "Alanda" coffee table by Paolo Piva. Each unit is L-shaped, with a clear plate glass top carried by a black enameled metal wire fr...
Metal
Alanda metal coffee table by Paolo Piva for B&B Italia 70s
By B&B Italia, Paolo Piva
Located in Padova, IT
The Alanda coffee table, an iconic piece that ushered in the 1980s, is reissued as a tribute to Paolo Piva, the great architect and designer. A highly successful classic and one of t...
Metal
$4,462
H 10.24 in W 47.25 in D 23.63 in
Paolo Piva "Alanda" Rectangular Glass and Iron Mid-Century Coffee Table, 1979
By Paolo Piva
Located in Roma, Lazio
Astonishing Paolo Piva production B&B Italia, 1979 coffee table in black metal frame and glass top. Pleasant, linear and minimalist. Aesthetically, t...
Iron
$1,514
H 12.01 in W 23.63 in D 47.25 in
Italian modern rectangular coffee table Alanda by Paolo Piva for B&B, 1980s
By B&B Italia, Paolo Piva
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern rectangular coffee table Alanda by Paolo Piva for B&B, 1980s Coffee table mod. Alanda with rectangular glass top. The black painted metal rod structure is made up of f...
Metal
$3,200
H 16 in W 27 in D 27 in
Square Rosewood Geometrical Base Glass Top Mid-Century Modern Coffee Table
By Harvey Probber, Paul McCobb
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern solid rosewood bar base coffee table.
Glass, Rosewood
$3,757
H 10.24 in W 47.25 in D 47.25 in
Alanda Coffee Table by Paolo Piva with Square Glass and Metal Structure
By B&B Italia, Paolo Piva
Located in Renens, CH
Alanda coffee table by Paolo Piva with square glass and metal structure This beautiful and minimalist coffee table is composed by a glass top with rounded edges sitting on an almo...
Metal
$1,925
H 10.24 in W 47.25 in D 47.25 in
Steel and Glass Coffee Table "Alanda" by Paolo Piva for B&B Italia, 1980s
By Paolo Piva, B&B Italia
Located in taranto, IT
"Alanda" model coffee table, design Paolo Piva for B&B italia, 1980s inverted pyramid structure in black steel , light signs of wear due to age Size cm 120 x 120 x 26 will be shi...
Steel
Paolo Piva Style Coffee Table "Alanda" Square, Italy 1970s
By Paolo Piva, B&B Italia
Located in Naples, IT
Tavolino nello stile di Paolo Piva per B&B Italia, caratterizzato da una struttura in tondino di metallo verniciato nero e un piano in vetro trasparente. The distinctive base is a g...
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Glass Top Coffee Table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A beautiful vintage modern propeller shaped metal base and a thick round glass top is sure to make an impression in any modern interior. An elegant design that boasts a tripod base w...
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Paolo Piva Coffee Table, 1970s
By Paolo Piva
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Paolo Piva Coffee Table, 1970s
Glass
$2,348
H 10.63 in W 47.25 in D 47.25 in
Italian modern black coffee table Alanda by Paolo Piva for B&B Italia, 1980s
By B&B Italia, Paolo Piva
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern black coffee table Alanda by Paolo Piva for B&B Italia, 1980s Coffee table mod. Alanda squared in shape. The top is made of glass, the structure is made of black painted metal rod and is composed of four inverted pyramids which simultaneously act as a pedestal and support for the top. Produced in 1980s by B&B Italia and designed by Paolo Piva. Fair condition, with signs of use and aging, oxidation, scratches on the top and missing glass especially on the sides. Measurements in cm 120x120x27h This iconic and incredible coffee table will be perfect to make your living room even more stylish. Also ideal for formal places such as an office, a study, a waiting room, a meeting room, a hotel, a showroom or a restaurant. If you need more information, do not hesitate to contact us, in the meantime we invite you to visit our shop, where you can find beautiful vintage furniture...
Metal
Large Alanda Coffee Table Paolo Piva for B&B 1980's
By B&B Italia, Paolo Piva
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Alanda model coffee table designed by Paolo Piva in 1979 for B&B Italia and produced in the 1980s. The proposed version is uncommon as it is very large ( 120cm x 180cm) and has grea...
Iron
Sold
H 10.24 in W 47.25 in D 47.25 in
MidCentury Modern “Alanda” Coffee Table by Paolo Piva for B&B Italia, Italy 1970
By Paolo Piva
Located in Madrid, ES
Iconic Mid-Century Modern coffee table designed by Paolo Piva for B&B Italia, Italy, in the 1970s. This is the sought-after Alanda model, featuring a geometric black lacquered tubula...
Metal
Paolo Piva for B&B Italian Glass and Metal Coffee Table 1970s
By B&B Italia, Paolo Piva
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian midcentury modern design coffee table designed by Paolo Piva and produced by B&B with painted metal structure and glass top, Italy 1970s Please note that the coffe table i...
Metal
Sold
H 12.21 in W 51.19 in D 33.47 in
Mid-Century Modern Rectangle, Alanda, Coffee Table by Paolo Piva, Italy, 1970
By Paolo Piva
Located in Madrid, ES
Rectangle coffee table by the famous Italian designer Paolo Piva from the 1970s edited by B&B Italia, Alanda model. It is composed of a glass top and a black lacquered tubular geomet...
Metal
Sold
H 12.21 in W 37.41 in D 37.41 in
Mid-Century Modern Square, Alanda, Coffee Table by Paolo Piva, Italy, 1970
By Paolo Piva
Located in Madrid, ES
Rectangular coffee table by the famous Italian designer Paolo Piva from the 1970s edited by B&B Italia, Alanda model. It is composed of a glass top and a black lacquered tubular geom...
Metal
Large Paolo Piva "Alanda" Pyramid Table 80's Design B&B Italia
By B&B Italia, Paolo Piva
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Beautiful 80's design Paolo Piva "ALANDA" for B&B pyramid coffee table with black wire metal frame and glass top. In original but very good condition, little visible wear and scrat...
Metal
Paolo Piva "Alanda" Pyramid Table 80's Design B&B Italia
By B&B Italia, Paolo Piva
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Beautiful 80's design Paolo Piva "ALANDA" for B&B pyramid coffee table with black wire metal frame and glass top. In original condition with visible wear and scratching to the gl...
Metal
Sold
H 11.03 in W 39.38 in D 39.38 in
Paolo Piva Mid-Century Modern Square Black Metal Glass, Italy, 1970
By Paolo Piva
Located in Madrid, ES
Square coffee table designed by Paolo Piva for B&B, Italy, 1970s. Made of black lacquered metal structure geometric base and glass top.
Metal
Paolo Piva Mid-Century Modern Black Metal Glass. Italy, 1970
By Paolo Piva
Located in Madrid, ES
Rectangular coffee table designed by Paolo Piva for B&B, Italy, 1970s. Made of black lacquered metal structure geometric base and glass top.
Metal
Paolo Piva Mid-Century Modern Square Black Metal Glass, Italy, 1970
By Paolo Piva
Located in Madrid, ES
Square coffee table designed by Paolo Piva for B&B, Italy, 1970s. Made of black lacquered metal structure geometric base and glass top.
Metal
Paolo Piva 'Alanda' Low Glass Coffee Table for B&B Italia, 1982
By B&B Italia, Paolo Piva
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Paolo Piva for B&B Itlaia 'Alanda' low coffee table, 1982. The modernist and minimalist design is simply fantastic the rounded edged clear glass tabletop sits on top of the bold, bla...
Steel
Sold
H 10 in W 47.25 in D 47.25 in
Original "Alanda" Cocktail or Coffee Table by Paolo Piva for B&B Italia
By B&B Italia, Paolo Piva
Located in Miami, FL
Black steel truss frame table with glass top designed by Paolo Piva for B&B Italia. Great low cocktail or coffee table.
Steel
Sold
H 11.82 in W 39.38 in D 19.69 in
"Alanda" Coffee Table by Paolo Piva, Produced by B&B Italia, 1970
By B&B Italia, Paolo Piva
Located in Milan, IT
"Alanda" coffee table by Paolo Piva, produced by B&B Italia, 1970.
Metal