Antonio Citterio – Architectural Precision for B&B Italia Outdoor

Antonio Citterio is one of Italy's most significant industrial designers and architects. Since the 1970s, he has worked closely with B&B Italia – one of the longest and most fruitful designer-brand relationships in international furniture history. His outdoor designs for B&B Italia are characterized by architectural clarity, extraordinary seating comfort, and a material language that effortlessly connects indoor and outdoor spaces.

Design Philosophy

Citterio designs from an architect's perspective: the furniture is part of a space, not its focal point. It should serve the space – and in doing so, possess a quality that becomes apparent on closer inspection. Proportion, material transitions, the logic of connecting elements: Citterio thinks through furniture down to every detail.

In the outdoor sector, he consistently applies this approach: frames made of precisely profiled aluminum, upholstery with precisely calculated fillings, color palettes that correspond with nature and architecture – never compete.

B&B Italia Outdoor Designs by Antonio Citterio

Charles Outdoor

Charles is one of B&B Italia's most famous indoor classics – Antonio Citterio has completely reinterpreted it for outdoor living. The sofa (234 cm) and armchair (84 cm) retain the characteristic deep seats and wide, quilted armrests of the original, but are fully designed to withstand weathering, UV exposure, and moisture. Charles Outdoor is the furniture for those who understand indoor and outdoor as a single design entity.

Bay

Bay is Citterio's design for generous outdoor lounge areas: a wide sofa (176 cm) and a deep armchair, both with a relaxed, slightly reclined seating position. The clear, rectangular forms and the precise seams of the upholstery make Bay a piece of furniture that communicates equally with architecture and landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which B&B Italia outdoor furniture did Antonio Citterio design?

Antonio Citterio is the creator of Charles Outdoor and Bay – two of B&B Italia's most enduring and architecturally strong outdoor collections.

What distinguishes Charles Outdoor from Charles Indoor?

Charles Outdoor completely adopts the design language of the indoor classic – quilted upholstery, wide armrests, deep seat – but adapts all materials for outdoor use: UV-stable outdoor textile, powder-coated aluminum frame, quick-drying fillings.

Which outdoor areas are Citterio's designs suitable for?

Citterio's furniture is most effective in environments with architectural aspirations: modern terraces, roof terraces, spacious gardens with a clear structure. They are also excellently suited for commercial outdoor areas – hotels, residences, spa terraces.

Does Antonio Citterio work exclusively for B&B Italia?

No. Citterio works as an independent architect and designer and has collaborated with numerous international brands. However, his connection to B&B Italia is one of the oldest and most defining of his career.

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