Search
Design

Discover the Antonio Citterio-Designed Collection Celebrated by Famed Italian Photographers

Named in homage to Donald Judd, Groundpiece has remained a Flexform classic for 25 years

By Galerie editors
Modern living room with wooden walls, two beige sofas, a desk in the background, and two small tables in the center.
Groundpiece by Antonio Citterio for Flexform. Photo: Courtesy of Flexform

Timeless is perhaps the most ubiquitous word in design as interior experts look to shape furniture pieces that transcend trend and stand as an enduring classic. But creating such a work is an arduous challenge few have truly mastered. One such example that has proven its style tenacity is Groundpiece, a modular sofa system conjured by Italian architect Antonio Citterio for Flexform. Introduced in 2001, it is a deep, low-lying seating system with Dacron or goose-down cushions nestled in a linear frame with wood or leather detailing.

Person relaxing on a large white sectional sofa in an elegantly designed modern living room, viewed from above.
Circa 2004 image starring the Groundpiece sofa by Italian photographer Maria Vittoria Backhaus. Photo: Maria Vittoria Backhaus
Modern living room with minimalist design, featuring a long sofa, two chairs, and wooden elements for a warm aesthetic.
Groundpiece by Antonio Citterio for Flexform. Photo: Courtesy of Flexform

“When we designed it in 2001, it seemed like an idea with great content but little chance of success,” says Citterio. “Too simple, direct, untraditional. It wasn’t clear whether it was a sofa or not. Yet we thought it was interesting to experiment with this encounter between art and a cushion: something unusual, almost paradoxical. So we did it. A few months later: success.”

Taking cues from another master of minimalist design, Donald Judd, Citterio named Groundpiece in an homage to the artist’s sculptures. “My sources and influences don’t always need to be explained: what matters is the sensitivity that comes from looking at and revisiting what we’ve seen,” says Citterio. “In the case of Groundpiece, leather made it possible to translate proportions and asymmetries, inspired by art, into a domestic object. This is the secret of creativity: a process of references, emotions, perceptions filtered through our sensibilities.”

Modern living room with sleek furniture, large windows, and panoramic city view. Black and white photograph.
Groundpiece as photographed by Gabriele Basilico. Photo: Gabriele Basilico
Modern living room with a stylish beige and brown sofa, decorative pillows, lounging chair, and a softly lit lamp on wooden shelves.
The Groundpiece armrest is available with a leather wrap and room for storage. Photo: Courtesy of Flexform

Further cementing its place in the design lexicon, Groundpiece can be customized in myriad configurations with options for materials, cushions, and armrests that can be adapted to offer space for storage. However, making it stand above as the functional work of art that it is, Groundpiece has starred in cinematic shoots for revered Italian photographers Gabriele Basilico, Maria Vittoria Backhaus, Pierpaolo Ferrari, and Robert Rieger. With a clear and defined concept and everlasting beauty, Groundpiece is a classic for today, tomorrow, and always.