Meet one of the brightest design minds in architecture, interior and furniture design – Antonio Citterio. We look at some of the furniture designs for Flexform and Vitra and how he designed 3 Orchard-By-The-Park in Singapore.

Antonio Citterio

Antonio Citterio is a man that needs no introduction if you’re into furniture design. The two-times Compasso d’Oro winner (1987 and 1995), Citterio pushes the boundaries of design with his exceptional and outstanding architectural and industrial works. Born in 1950 in Meda, Citterio graduated from the Polytechnic of Milan. A highly sought-after designer, he has worked for a number of leading manufacturers including Arclinea, Flexform, Flos, Maxalto, Kartell, and Vitra, to name a few. He is the art director for both the B&B Italia and Maxalto brands, and the architect behind the group’s retail showrooms around the world. In 1999, together with Patricia Viel, he founded Antonio Citterio and Partners, a multidisciplinary practise for architectural design, industrial design and graphics.

The firm operates in the fields of product design, architectural and interior design (in both the private and public sectors), space planning, retail and showroom design, corporate image and location design. Antonio Citterio and Partners quickly rose to prominence with a series of projects for the luxury hotel chain Bulgari Hotels and Resorts – first for the inaugural Bulgari Hotel in Milan in 2004, followed by the Bulgari Resort in 2006, then the Bulgari restaurant and cafe in Tokyo in 2007. In that same year, Citterio received the Royal Designer for Industry award from the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce in London.

Flexform “Romeo” sectional sofa

A Body of Work
Citterio has worked for B&B Italia for decades. His most famous pieces are the Charles, Ray, Richard, and Diesis, to name a few. In 2018, he designed Atoll sofa system for the company.

The sleek seating system looks elegant while its modularity, unified by armrests and backrests, makes it versatile for any space. You can opt to configure a corner sofa, free-standing version, grand modular sofa or even a single-shell sofa, it’s all up to you.

For Vitra, he is recognised for his series of lounge chairs – “Grand Repose” and “Grand Relax” make lounging and reading a book so chic and purposeful. For Flexform, he’s the genius behind the brand’s innovation, aesthetics, art direction and branding. Taking the helm, Citterio’s work for Flexform has won him accolades and praise in the industry. Widely lauded, fans of Flexform adore the clean aesthetics and “quiet luxury” that each piece emanates; even when disparate pieces from any of Flexform’s collection have coalesced in a setting, the look and feel seem to work cohesively.

For more information:
https://www.bebitalia.com/en
https://www.vitra.com/en-lp/home
https://www.flexform.it/en

Flexform’s best-selling sofa by Antonio Citterio – Groundpiece

Singapore Vision
However, many fans of Citterio do not know the prowess he holds in architectural ideas. Many renowned buildings and interiors have had the honour of this master’s Midas Touch and some of his renowned works include the reputable Bulgari hotels and resorts. His understanding of luxurious interiors is spot on. Everything from the curated interiors to the façade and spatial aesthetics has been given great attention and care by Citterio and his team. The designer is often regarded as the “gentleman of design”. His objects project a timeless allure and they can adapt to your comfort and style.

So, when it comes to an architectural narrative, he ensures it is timeless, discreet and sophisticated all at once. When he was given the chance to design 3 Orchard By-The-Park, developed by YTL Corporation, he took to it like fish to water. This will be his first project in Southeast Asia.

3 Orchard-By-The-Park’s alfresco and pool deck

Holistic Design
Tan Sri (Dr) Francis Yeoh, who is the head honcho of his family’s YTL Corporation, has no doubt in Citterio’s expertise and knowledge in devising a luxury condominium project in Singapore that could reap the spoils of our tropical environment. Francis cites, “For our first-ever luxury apartment project in Singapore, we wanted a true master of design who could holistically design the architecture and interior design of the entire development as one masterpiece where residents can experience his timeless signature aesthetics throughout every aspect of the living environment.” Francis has long admired his oeuvre of work especially visiting the Bulgari resorts in key cities such as Milan, London, Bali, Beijing and Shanghai. He believes the freehold 3 Orchard By-The-Park is an architectural masterpiece worthy to pass on as an heirloom for generations to come.

At 3 Orchard By-The-Park, I have created a design experience that
harmonises all the elements. – Antonio Citterio

Citterio was respectful to the project’s tree-lined precinct of Orchard Boulevard which is a stone’s throw away from District 10. The development is uniquely shielded by the Little Red Dot’s bustling city life – Orchard Road – while being close-by and convenient to access it if the need arises. In fact, to the delight of future residents who are nature lovers, the project is just a stroll away from the UNESCO World Heritage Site Singapore Botanic Gardens.

3 Orchard-By-The-Park lounge and library area

Fuelling the botanical inspiration, the development houses an Orchid Corner with exclusive Vanda YTL and Vanda Bocelli orchids, both specially dedicated for YTL by the National Orchid Gardens at Singapore Botanic Gardens in 2010 during the company’s Concert of Celebration by Andrea Bocelli. What better way to reap the spoils of the property’s lush environs – through windows and balconies, no less! Citterio ensures all of the three towers – Wood, Wilderness or Water – where residents of two-, three- and four-bedders or five-bedroom penthouse units will enter their home’s modern trappings via the private lift, soak in the vibe but look out to the project’s sylvan surroundings.

His work can also be appreciated in the project’s steely façade of clean, linear aesthetics where 77 exclusive residences take centre stage. His unmistakable, signature touch of elegance and simplicity is apparent in the project’s design DNA – everything from materials, loose furniture, kitchen equipment, outdoor furniture, lighting, cabinetry, etc, has all been carefully considered. For a master to plot and devise the details to the nth degree requires years of experience and careful planning. His design ethos is infused into the Arclinea lifestyle kitchens that are also designed by him. Even the clubhouse’s gym equipment is made by Technogym and designed by Citterio as well. The design coherence of Citterio is evident in everything he gives life to – whether it is the furniture pieces, the accessories or the spatial elements of the project, the fusion of aesthetics and the tactility of materials is clearly engineered by this living design great who understands luxury and the proponents of livability.

For more information: https://3orchardbythepark.com.sg Also, read about how this property has proved to be a worthy investment even in this global pandemic here.