El Chair

Inspired by icons such as Eileen Gray, Charles and Ray Eames, and George Nelson, Italian designer Antonio Citterio has built an extremely successful career in the furniture industry. He’s known for his emphasis on craftsmanship and materiality, a combination that’s defined a longtime partnership with B&B Italia. Citterio has been responsible for designing all new collections by Maxalto since 1993. He ensures that each product, like his Dives sofa or Alcova canopy bed, clearly delineates its function and is comfortable and liveable as much as grand and luxurious.

Born in 1950 in the north Italian city of Meda, Antonio Citterio opened his first office at the age of 22. The architect and designer supposedly had decided on his career path by age 13.

Citterio went on to collaborate with Terry Dwan on architecture projects through the late 1990’s before forming a practice with Patricia Viel that’s today called Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel. Their significant work includes the Technogym headquarters, Bulgari Hotels around the world, Qatar Airways lounges, the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Milan, and the B&B Italia Center for Research in Novedrate, Italy.