"The new luxury is living in a sustainable and ecological space."

Maurizio Riva

WE HAVE ALWAYS PRODUCED FURNITURE THAT CHALLENGE TIME AND RESPECT NATURE.

PHILOSOPHY

"Produce honestly to hand down to future generations, making solid wood furniture
able to challenge time while fully respecting the environment".
This is the thought that guides and motivates every daily action of Riva 1920.

VISION

We envision a planet in which creativity, design and innovation may reshape society for the better, with the aim of preserving an intact living environment for future generations. Our strong commitment is dedicated to improving the quality of living spaces through the power of artisanship, technology and the made in Italy value.

MISSION

We design, tailor and create products that enhance spaces, connect people and don’t harm the environment. Furniture entirely made in Italy whose longevity is central for sustainable development. We are proud to preserve the craftsmanship in the age of technology, with timeless creations which don’t follow short-term trends.

1920-2020
100 YEARS OF HISTORY

It all started in 1920 in Cantù, in the heart of Brianza, in a small family-run artisan workshop founded by Nino Romano and specialized in the production of classic style solid wood furnishings. In the mid-1940s, he entered the Mario Riva laboratory, which continued his father-in-law's activity. The brothers Maurizio and Davide Riva follow in the footsteps of their father and grandfather and in the late '70s they began working as carpenters in the shop under the house, dedicating themselves to custom furniture. An artisanal process of enhancement of natural wood begins through the use of completely natural waxes and oils, a distinctive feature of Riva 1920. In 1987 the first production unit is inaugurated and sister Anna joins the company. In 1992, Riva 1920 presented its furniture collection for the first time at the Milan International Furniture Fair.

Alongside the woods from planned and controlled cuts, the company introduces the reused woods such as the millennial Kauri of New Zealand, the Briccole of the Venice Lagoon and the Cedar of Lebanon. In 2005 the second production unit was inaugurated and in 2010 the construction of the Riva Center, a building born from a design idea of the Renzo Piano Building Workshop studio, was completed. The space hosts on the ground floor a Showroom of about 1200 square meters. and on the first floor the Museum of Wood.
In 2013 a third production unit specialized in the processing of cedar logs is opened. In 2017, the second floor of the Riva Center is inaugurated, which houses the Pangea table, a symbol of Expo 2015 signed by Michele de Lucchi, and a xylotheque with woods from all over the world.

In the heart of Brianza, in Cantù, Nino Romano founds his small artisan workshop specializing in the production of classic style solid wood furnishings.

THE ESTABLISHMENT

1920

After the war, Mario Riva resumed his father-in-law's activity together with a few workers.
The production is based on classic models, creating products of great value and in full respect of the traditions and processes of the Brianza cabinet-making, the Italian cradle of quality furniture.

THE TRADITIONS

1950

The brothers Maurizio and Davide Riva choose to follow in the footsteps of their father and grandfather. They start working as carpenters in the family shop, dedicating themselves to custom furniture and following more than 1600 private customers.
It is the beginning of a long journey, the commitment to the enhancement of natural wood and its manual processing, distinctive features of Riva 1920.

A LONG ROUTE

1970

Inauguration of the headquarters in Via Milano, which has about 30 employees.
At the same time, their sister Anna, head of the administrative department, joined the family business.

1987

THE NEW HEADQUARTERS

Following a trip to New York, Maurizio Riva is introduced to the culture of reforestation wood by controlled and planned cuts. From here begins the production of solid cherry furniture. It is the beginning of a precise design identity that takes the form of a product at the highest levels of quality and naturalness, also thanks to the use of completely natural glues, waxes and oils.

1990

THE CULTURE OF WOOD

Riva 1920 presents its collections for the first time at the Salone Internazionale del Mobile, starting to introduce the brand on the Italian and foreign scene.

1992

THE FIRST TIME AT THE “SALONE”

The entrepreneurial intuition led to the start of important collaborations with internationally renowned architects and the evolution of Riva 1920 towards the world of eco-sustainable design.
The entry into the company of the fourth generation leads to new markets and horizons, always respecting the corporate philosophy, which sees the union of functionality and aesthetics of forms, without ever losing sight of the importance of healthy and sustainable living.
Next to the controlled and programmed cutting woods, reuse woods are introduced such as the millennial Kauri of New Zealand, the Briccole of the Venice Lagoon and the Cedar of Lebanon, to pass on, and not forget, that wood is a renewable resource but not infinite.

ECO-SUSTAINABILITY AND GREAT SIGNATURE DESIGN

2000

Sustainability, design, research, social sensitivity and cultural projects become a fundamental part of Riva 1920's activity.

BETWEEN SUSTAINABILITY AND CULTURAL PROJECTS

2005

In this year, the inauguration of the second production unit in Via Genova in Cantù takes place.

THE SECOND PRODUCTION UNIT

2005

Construction work on the Riva Center ends.
A suggestive building totally covered on the outside in larch wood which houses, on the ground floor, a Showroom of about 1200 square meters to enhance the essence and uniqueness of the solid wood products and, on the first floor,the Museum of wood, with over 5,000 pieces on display

THE RIVA CENTER

2010

A third technologically advanced production unit dedicated to production with cedar wood is opened.

THE THIRD PRODUCTION UNIT

2013

A hundred years after its foundation, the thought that guides every business is always the same: "Produce honestly to pass on to future generations, building furniture that can challenge time while fully respecting the environment".
With a marked fidelity to its principles, the contours of a production reality made of traditions, culture, creativity and innovation are increasingly outlined. The love for wood and research mark the daily activity of a company in which craftsmanship is combined with technology and the care and attention to every detail give life to something special, unique and keep up with the new market trends.

THE FIRST 100 YEARS

2020