Antonio Citterio book chronicles the architect's best design

Sity for B&B Italia

(Image credit: Courtesy Antonio Citterio)

Antonio Citterio Design by Silvana Editoriale is a new book that offers a rare and comprehensive glimpse into the over 50 years of work by renowned architect and designer Antonio Citterio. This volume showcases the more than 600 products that define Citterio's unique stylistic code, inviting readers to bear witness to his remarkable journey.

New Antonio Citterio book: fifty years of design

Antonio Citterio's design and architecture work has been guided by an enduring passion for his craft. 'As the creator of your own work, you are your best critic,' he says. 'When you feel that you have produced something intriguing, it is a moment of tremendous satisfaction. This driving force has led me for fifty years to continually seek new solutions to improve upon what I have already accomplished.'

But beyond the products themselves, Antonio Citterio Design pays homage to the many human connections and collaborations that have shaped his path. For Citterio, the main characters of his journey are not just the items or the challenges he faced but the people he encountered and worked with. 'If there is one common thread that runs through my work, it's the importance of relationships with people - from my collaborators to the companies I have designed and continue to design for,' says Citterio.

His client list is a who's who of great Italian design, from sleek gym equipment for Technogym to furniture for Flexform, Cassina and B&B Italia as well as lighting for Flos, and more. The volume charts his career through seven chapters and includes images of products, details, archive photos, and sketches signed by the designer.

With a foreword and introduction by architect and designer Andrea Branzi and art critic Francesco Bonami, and contributions from esteemed writers like Stefano Casciani, Francesca Picchi, and former director of London's Design Museum, Deyan Sudjic, this book is sure to inspire not just designers, but anyone who believes in the power of creativity and teamwork.

£85, available from Amazon

Antonio Citterio Design: discover 13 great pieces from his archives

Foldable desk by Antonio Citterio for Maxalto — Antonio Citterio's ‘Max’ desk for Maxalto is described as ‘a classic bureau with a contemporary twist’. Featuring an X-shaped metal base, the top is equipped with drawers and can be discreetly folded when not in use

Antonio Citterio Groundpiece sofa for Flexform — Groundpiece sofa for Flexform, designed in 2001 as a revolutionary take on living room design. Low and deep, the sofa was designed as a more relaxed and casual approach to seating

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Maria Cristina Didero is an independent design curator, consultant and author, who has contributed to many publications over the years. Didero has consulted for companies such as Vitra, Fritz Hansen, Lexus, Fendi, Louis Vuitton, Valextra among others. Based in Milan, she works internationally, curating exhibitions for institutions: some of her most recent projects include Nendo: The Space in Between and The Conversation Show at the Holon Design Museum, Israel; FUN HOUSE by Snarkitecture at National Building Museum, Washington D.C.; SuperDesign a project about Italian radical design, NY; Vegan Design, or the Art of Reduction by Erez Nevi and The Fish and The Crowd by Carlo Massoud, Milan. In April 2022 she curated a Mathieu Lehanneur exhibition at the Triennale in Milan called The Inventory of Life, while in July she debuted a project at the MK&G in Hamburg titled Ask Me if I Believe in the Future, alongside a series of ongoing collaborations. She was appointed 2022 Curatorial Director of Design Miami/. She is currently preparing two projects for Milan Design Week 2023.