Simon Gavina — The patron of Italian design

History and Foundation

Simon Gavina was born in Bologna in 1915 and founded his eponymous furniture manufacturing company in 1949. An atypical figure in the Italian industrial landscape, Gavina was first and foremost an intellectual and a patron: his company was not just a factory, but a meeting point between art, architecture, and design.

Relationship with Great Designers

Gavina formed collaborations with some of the most important names in international design: Marcel Breuer, Carlo Scarpa, Tobia Scarpa, Kazuhide Takahama, and Afra Scarpa. His ability to recognize talent and transform it into quality industrial products made him a unique reference point in the sector.

Kazuhide Takahama and the Simon Collection

Among the most fruitful collaborations was that with Japanese designer Kazuhide Takahama, who designed some of the most refined seating of the 1960s and 70s for Simon Gavina, including the famous Tulu chair. These pieces perfectly embody Gavina's philosophy: essential forms, noble materials, impeccable construction quality.

Acquisition by Knoll

In 1968, Simon Gavina sold his company to Knoll International, one of the most important American design manufacturers. Despite the sale, Gavina remained active in the world of design, later founding Ultramobile, another entrepreneurial venture dedicated to experimentation.

Legacy

The pieces produced by Simon Gavina in the 1960s and 70s are now highly sought-after collector's items, appreciated for their construction quality and their historical value in the landscape of Italian and international design.

In our store, you can find authentic Simon Gavina pieces, precious testaments to this unrepeatable season of design.