AFRA AND TOBIA SCARPA

Between the desks of the IUAV University of Venice; Tobia Scarpa and Afra Bianchin fell in love. Both graduating on the same day in 1957, their love story quickly blossomed into a creative partnership that spanned five decades, across architecture, restoration, exhibition design, graphics and teaching.

Tobia Scarpa was born in 1935, the first son of acclaimed Italian architect Carlo Scarpa. Tobia’s famous last name came as a heavy burden – his father Carlo was an exceptional talent, who had the unique distinction of teaching architecture at the Accademia di Belle Arti (while not being officially an architect) and designing some of Italy most celebrated buildings - notably the Fondazione Querini Stampalia, the Olivetti Showroom and the Brion Cemetery in San Vito d'Altivole. Working in the formidable shadow of his fathers legacy, Tobia – relatively early in his career – set his focus on becoming a designer rather than becoming an architect.

On the early life and family of Afra Bianchin - little is known. Due to the nature of Afra Bianchin's collaborative career with her husband, Tobia Scarpa, information about her history "without" him is extremely limited and largely defined by their partnership. Indeed her independent professional work is not documented in any detail, nor are her personal design contributions or philosophies. This is not unusual of women designers of the time, who were often relegated to an invisible role in the design world.

Nevertheless, in the 1960s the pair opened their own design studio in Montebelluna, and started what later would become a very fruitful and hugely influential collaboration. One of their first collaborative commercial designs was the Bastiano sofa for Gavina (1962) which comprised loose cushions within a timber frame. Shortly afterward Afra and Tobia designed the iconic “Soriana” seating ensemble in 1969 for Cassina. Soriana (meaning tabby cat in their local Montebelluna dialect) with the intention of mimicking soft bundled fabric. The construction of the Soriana is simple yet revolutionary - using only polyurethane foam held in place by strategically placed chrome clamps, the design eliminates the need for internal support - allowing the fabric to form relaxed, comfortable creases. In celebration of their innovation the Soriana was awarded the prestigious Compasso d'Oro award in 1970, and is on permanent display at Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, MoMA, Vitra Design Museum, and London Design Museum.

At the peak of their professional careers the Scarpa’s experience unimaginable family sorrow. The couple lost both of their sons, Sebastiano and Nicolò, in two separate car accidents during the 1990s. Leaving them with their only surviving daughter, Carlotta. In the wake of this tragedy, the couple continued working, albeit outside of the public eye. Secluded in their design studio, they released only three more designs – lamps for Fabbian in the late 1990s and early 2000s,  and the Saturnina (1998) and Galeto (2001). Today, Afra and Tobia Scarpa’s designs are no longer in production. The rare pieces produced by the couple during the 60s and 70s can be found in some private residences and auction houses. Some are also exhibited in prominent museums ranging from MoMA in New York and the Louvre Museum in Paris.