Sity Sofa | The historic design icon by Antonio Citterio
The Sity sofa is today considered an authentic icon of vintage design, the father of the concept of modern living and the precursor of a particular type of upholstered furniture that puts comfort, versatility and function first. Its line has been imitated since its launch on the market, so much so that it earned the coveted Compasso d’Oro award in 1986. Its fame has also brought the figure of Antonio Citterio into the spotlight, an example of creative foresight who has continued to influence the world of furniture design with his creations over time.
The Sity sofa was created in 1986 on commission from B&B Italia, which entrusted the design to a very young Antonio Citterio with the explicit request to create something new, an element for the living room that could revolutionize the concept of upholstered furniture and living seating.
True to expectations, Antonio Citterio has been able to create an innovative upholstered piece whose shapes express a new concept of the living room no longer intended exclusively as a meeting place but also as a relaxation area where to carve out moments for yourself. The distinctive element of this new concept is the presence of a modular structure that includes both linear and curved elements and above all a large and generous chaise longue, designed to accommodate the body not only in a seated position, but also semi-reclined. No less important is the availability of numerous customizable details designed to create compositions that reflect the customer’s needs as much as possible, whether it is a question of taste or design needs.
Peculiar is the “suspended” armrest, which has now become a true distinctive feature of the model, consisting of a single protruding element in wood or aluminum on which a cushion can be placed to improve comfort. Combined with the large and welcoming seats, this armrest creates an extremely pleasant balance of proportions.
With this work, Antonio Citterio was able to invent a new concept of relaxation, identifying the living room as a space that was no longer just common but also private, for the exclusive use of the owners of the house. In the years to come, the B&B Italia company continued this original innovative drive by producing and exporting Sity all over the world and in 2021 putting its ideal successor, the Noonu sofa, into production.
Citterio’s new creation is clearly a tribute to the iconic Sity, from which it takes the chaise longue and the padded armrests here to improve comfort. The same generous seats lend themselves to numerous configurations, adapting to the needs of contemporary living.
A tradition that therefore pursues itself and renews itself, giving itself new impetus without forgetting itself.
The Noonu sofa is available in Salvioni Design Solutions showrooms together with the other catalog proposals of B&B Italia, the number one brand in the production of designer furnishings for the home.