Born in Modena, Italy, where he taught architecture. In 1950, already in São Paulo, his businesses included the Giesse Furniture Factory, the Santa Helena Carpet Factory and two stores – Margutta, which was also his studio, where many European artists used to meet, and Le Rideau. In the 1950s, he had his own column, “Scapinelli responde” (Scapinelli Answers) in the Casa e Jardim magazine. In his furniture designs, he maintained more classical characteristics with slender lines and spindle legs. Casa e Jardim stated in an article on the architect: “Scapinelli is a classic that remembers to be modern or – if one prefers – a modern who doesn’t forget to be classic.” In 1965 he gave up his furniture businesses.