Some sofas follow fashion. Groundpiece set it. Antonio Citterio designed it for Flexform in 2001, and in 2026 it celebrates twenty-five years as one of the brand's best-loved pieces. Citterio himself admits he had doubts: "When we designed it, in 2001, it felt like an idea rich in substance but with little chance of success." A few months later, it was a success.
Where art meets a cushion
The starting point was not a sofa but an artist. Citterio looked at the low, horizontal sculptures of Donald Judd, and the name says it: "It's called Groundpiece because there is in fact a connection with the world of art." He describes the result as "this encounter between art and a cushion": a rigorous geometric base, and on top of it deep cushions filled with goose down. For its first campaign, Gabriele Basilico photographed it in front of Gio Ponti's Pirelli Tower in Milan.
The armrest that became a shelf
Groundpiece's signature is its armrest. Instead of a padded arm you can choose a low metal console clad in cowhide: a flat surface for a lamp, a book, a glass of wine, with shelves underneath. As Citterio puts it, "the combination of rigorous cowhide and down-filled cushions is the secret of this timeless balance." The cowhide comes in eight colours, from tobacco to Russian red, or in suede. If you prefer softness all round, the armrests can also be fully upholstered.
A sofa for real life
Citterio says Groundpiece "grew out of the observation of everyday life", and you feel it. It is low and deep, made for reading, watching a film, working on a laptop or having dinner without moving. Seat units of 100, 120, 200 and 240 cm, ottomans and armrests combine into linear sofas, corners and open compositions. Take away the back cushions and a section becomes a daybed or a bench.
What is inside
The elements have a metal frame with moulded polyurethane padding; the ottomans are in solid wood. Seat cushions are in sterilised goose down with the Assopiuma gold label, around a crushproof insert, or in polyurethane and Dacron for a firmer feel. Covers in fabric or leather are fully removable.
Our advice
Groundpiece looks best with space and few objects around it, exactly like a piece of art. If you love the cowhide armrest, have a look at the Flexform Perry sofa, which takes up the same idea in a more contemporary key. Send us your floor plan and we will draw your composition with you.
Technical data
- Design: Antonio Citterio, 2001
- Seat units: 100 × 122, 120 × 122, 200 × 97, 240 × 97 cm; ottomans 97 × 97, 97 × 122, 122 × 122 cm
- Armrests: upholstered, or metal console clad in cowhide with top and shelves (cowhide in 8 colours or suede)
- Element frame: metal with moulded polyurethane padding; ottomans in solid wood
- Seat cushions: sterilised goose down, Assopiuma gold label, with crushproof insert, or polyurethane and Dacron
- Back cushions: goose down, with or without support bolster
- Powder-coated metal feet on thermoplastic pads
- Upholstery: fabric or leather, fully removable
Frequently asked questions
Who designed Groundpiece and when?
Antonio Citterio, for Flexform, in 2001. It turns twenty-five in 2026.
Why is it called Groundpiece?
Because of its link with the art world: Citterio was inspired by the low, horizontal sculptures of Donald Judd.
What is the cowhide armrest?
A metal console clad in cowhide that works as armrest and shelf, with a top surface and shelves underneath.
Can it be used as a daybed?
Yes, without the back cushions a section becomes a daybed or a bench.
Are the covers removable?
Yes, fabric and leather are fully removable.
Flexform Collection 2020: timeless relaxed elegance
