When Antonio Citterio designed the sofa-meets-storage system in 2001, it felt like an idea rich in substance but with little chance of success. The architect described it as too simple and non-traditional, unsure if it even qualified as a sofa. Yet the experiment proved compelling. Success arrived just months later, and the collection has remained a top seller for the Italian brand for 25 years. While Groundpiece was originally designed to accommodate the lifestyle changes already underway in the early 2000s, the sofa feels like it could have easily been designed today.
The Art of the Low, Deep Seat
Citterio drew inspiration from the minimalist sculptures of Donald Judd. He was struck by their horizontal, blocky forms. The resulting furniture features a low and deep sit with generous cushions. These cushions can be filled with premium goose down or Dacron. The proportions invite relaxation, while the material palette uses natural fibres such as linen, cotton and cashmere. This combination of sophisticated style and comfort has kept the design relevant.
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A New Approach to Furniture
Modern interiors demand flexibility, and the Groundpiece collection delivers through modularity. Individual pieces now often need to serve multiple functions. Metal shelving units clad in cowhide do triple duty as arm and backrests. They also offer space to display books and other accessories. These units can stand in as side tables, making the sofa suitable for reading, working or even eating dinner.
