CAMELOT SOFA
By Antonio Citterio, 2024

Camelot — the fabled kingdom, a place of refinement, harmony, and quiet strength — lends its name to Antonio Citterio’s latest design for Flexform. But rather than knights and round tables, this Camelot is a study in advanced modularity, a vision of understated luxury where precision meets ease. Citterio, the celebrated architect and designer, developed an interest in furniture as a teenager in Meda, the small town near Milan where both he and Flexform are from, and his over 50-year relationship with the Italian furniture house is one of the defining partnerships of his illustrious career. He’s designed dozens of sofas for Flexform, from the stately Magister (1982) to the innovative Groundpiece (2001), to name but two. Citterio, now in his 70s, has spent a lifetime refining his approach to form and material, which he speaks of with an almost reverent simplicity — a tactile relationship remains at the forefront of his design philosophy. Camelot is a continuation of that ethos but also a prime example of Flexform’s approach to personalization — the modular design features piping along the seat cushions or backrest upholstery that can be rendered in hues that contrast or harmonize, and the cylindrical support bar comes in wood or clad in cowhide. And those are just a few ways the plush sofa can be customized; you can also choose between leather or fabric, sectional or U-shaped, compact or sprawling. True to Flexform style, the piece is quiet, but its details speak volumes, showcasing the Italian company’s subtle use of high-level craftsmanship to elevate simple, everyday things into luxuries. Camelot marks a standout chapter in Citterio’s partnership with Flexform, where “nothing is overdesigned,” he says. “It’s a natural attitude that emphasizes the highest quality.” Camelot embodies that — subtle but exacting, effortless but highly considered. The kind of object that requires no explanation. Once you see it, you understand.