Studio BBPR for Olivetti "Spazio" Desk with an Olive Felt Top, Italy, 1960's

Studio BBPR for Olivetti "Spazio" Desk with an Olive Felt Top, Italy, 1960's

Designed in the 1960's by the Italian architecture collective Studio BBPR, this desk is a compact but distinctive piece that brings together thoughtful construction, striking colors, and a modernist spirit.

The top is finished in olive-green felt—soft to the touch and still in excellent condition. It wraps slightly over the slanted front edge, giving the desk a gentle, purposeful stance. The body is finished in a swampy-green tone that shifts between mustard and moss—hard to label, but immediately appealing.

The desk features two drawer units, each with three drawers—six in total. They run smoothly and are fitted with small, black handles that match the black detailing along the corners and base. These elements are crisp and sharply defined, adding a subtle rhythm to the design.

One of the most satisfying aspects of this piece is its material composition. Three distinct materials—metal, felt, and black plastic—are used in clear, deliberate ways. Each material is given space to stand out: the tactile felt top, the structural metal legs, and the black plastic accents all play a role in the desk’s balanced identity. It’s not subtle, and that’s exactly what makes it work.

The black metal legs are adjustable, allowing the desk to remain stable even on uneven floors. Around the rear and sides of the top runs a slender metal rim, originally intended to hold lamps, but now acting as a practical guard that has helped preserve the surface over time.

Studio BBPR (Banfi, Belgiojoso, Peressutti, Rogers) were key figures in postwar Italian design. Their work often explored the intersection of function and expression—clearly visible in this well-composed and quietly inventive desk.

Dimensions
Width: 198 cm
Height: 77 cm