Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti

GIOVANNI OFFREDI (Milan, 1927–2007). For Saporiti.
“Wave” Sofa, c. 1970.
Metal and velvet.
Features the manufacturer’s label.
Measurements: 74 x 290 x 105 cm.
The “Wave” sofa, designed by Giovanni Offredi for the Italian firm Saporiti around 1974, is one of the most representative pieces of Italian design from the 1970s, a period characterized by formal experimentation and the search for new types of home furnishings. Its design synthesizes aesthetic innovation, functionality, and a meticulous focus on the user experience. The piece is distinguished by its unmistakable diagonal lines in the upholstery, which reinforce the sense of dynamism and visual fluidity, transforming the sofa into an element with a strong sculptural presence within the interior space. Far from being merely decorative, this textile geometry helps structure the form and accentuate its enveloping character. One of its most innovative features is the reclining backrest system, composed of flexible cushions that can be raised or folded down according to the user’s needs. The exposed metal frame—a hallmark of Saporiti’s designs—adds visual lightness and a refined industrial aesthetic, reinforcing the sensation that the sofa “floats” above the floor.
Unlike most other Italian furniture designers of his time, Giovanni Offredi was not an architect, nor did he begin designing at the start of his professional career. The earliest known furniture designs by Giovanni Offredi consist of one-off pieces created specifically for some of Milan’s wealthy families. In the late 1960s, Giovanni Offredi met Sergio Saporiti, owner of the Italian design store and furniture manufacturer Saporiti, and in 1970, Offredi formalized a collaboration with the furniture manufacturer—a long and fruitful partnership that resulted in numerous meticulously crafted, distinctly modern, and innovative furniture designs that went on to achieve considerable commercial success.