Anfibio Sofa Bed

Alessandro Becchi, Giovannetti

ALESSANDRO BECCHI (Florence, Italy, 1946-1987) for Giovannetti, Italy. Anfibio sofa bed model. 1970s. Fabric upholstery over foam filling. Shows signs of use consistent with age. The Anfibio model is one of the cult pieces of Italian design from the seventies. Becchi rethought the conventional sofa typology as a flexible and transformable structure, capable of transitioning from an enveloping seat to a resting surface. This dual function explains both the model's name and its relationship with an era in which Italian design sought new, more informal and adaptable ways of living. Giovannetti itself considers it one of its most innovative and representative historical designs. Its relevance lies in the union of comfort, freedom of use, and a marked sculptural presence. The padded volumes replace the rigidity of traditional furniture and turn upholstery and structural flexibility into essential elements of the project. The continuity of its production and the presence of an example in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York confirm its position within the history of international design. Alessandro Becchi trained at ISIA in Florence and developed a close collaboration with Giovannetti, focused especially on transformable furniture and sofa beds. He presented his work at the Italy: The New Domestic Landscape exhibition held at MoMA in 1972, and the Anfibio remains his most recognized creation.