The Ribes outdoor seating system, designed by Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia, places themes of flexibility, customisation, colour and researching materials at the heart of the project. Sofas, central and end elements, chaise longues and pouffes offered in a variety of models and sizes, means that exterior spaces can be interpreted in a very personal way, with great flexibility of composition and a wide choice of covers and finishes. This sofa starts with a futon base with flexible fibreglass slats placed on an aluminium structure, attach the arm- and back-rests at will. The seating cushions are designed to be comfortable, relaxing mattresses and combine with different types of back cushions and armrests. They're all made with a padding that gives Ribes a particularly warm look. The fabric choices are also rich and colourful, with decor inspired by traditional fabrics acquired on many trips to Latin America, reinterpreted and redesigned, offering countless possibilities for customisation. The flexibility of its system, means that Ribes can be modified over time by adding new elements or changing the function of existing elements. A transformable nature that is perfectly suited to places that blend the inside and outside, on a veranda or in the shade of a patio or a covered terrace, to experience the environment and open space with fluidity.
Born in 1950 in Meda, Italy, he studied architecture at the Milan Polytechnic. Antonio Citterio began working as a designer and industrial design consultant in 1972. From 1987 to 1996 he created the Citterio/Dwan studio in association with Terry Dwan. From 1990 to 1992, Antonio Citterio was a lecturer at the Domus Academy in Milan, from 1993 to 1995 he was an external examiner for furniture design at Royal College London, and in 1997 he taught at La Sapienza University in Rome. In 1999, together with Patricia Viel, he founded the multidisciplinary design agency "Antonio Citterio and Partners" in Milan, and from 1999 to 2002 he taught at the architecture faculty of the Università della Svizzera Italiana. He has held a chair there again since 2006. Antonio Citterio has received numerous awards, including the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures & Commerce in London. He is one of Italy's most famous designers, with his many and extremely varied creations. It uses the aesthetics of new materials and the performance of new technologies to create its own timeless style. He works mainly with the leading Italian furniture brand B&B Italia, but also with publishers such as Kartell (Battista, Flip and Gastone desks), Vitra (Grand Repos armchair) and Flos (Kelvin Led).
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B&B ITALIA
B&B Italia was created with a strong industrial and technological vocation. This shook up the industry’s habits and led it to constantly challenge and refine its know-how in order to combine creative thinking and conceptual capacity.
B&B Italia has over 50 years' experience in technological product leadership on a global scale. The unique character of B&B Italia is based on its inimitable blend of creativity, innovation and industrial capacity.
B&B Italia has the ability to anticipate trends, respond to changing tastes and living requirements. B&B Italia sells a range of contemporary, high-quality furniture that represents an important chapter in the history of Italian design.