B&B italia maxalto's heritage perspectives collection by antonio citterio

the pursuit of excellence for B&B italia‘s maxalto is evident both in its name – derived from the venetian ‘massa alto’ meaning ‘the highest’ – and in the restrained luxury of the new heritage perspectives collection by antonio citterio.

the heritage perspectives collection brings a selection of lighter and softer updates to maxalto

consistency is a quality valued more than ever today. returning home to a high-quality collection of furniture that can endure change, even when so much is changing around us, feels like an invaluable respite.

B&B italia’s maxalto collection prides itself on consistency. it was established in 1975 to support the italian brand in defining their offering of strongly artisanal furniture. after its first important collaboration with afra and tobia scarpa, in 1993, maxalto heralded a new era with antonio citterio as its sole designer, introduced by the creation of his first collection in 1996.

exuding sober elegance, the dives sofa is presented in a new ‘soft’ edition with lighter fabric options

it is citterio who is responsible for achieving the collection’s committed aesthetic and giving it the tools to continue to evolve successfully. he established maxalto’s ‘modern neo-classic’ approach that forms a dialogue between tradition and contemporary.

initially drawing from the early twentieth-century style, he was subsequently inspired by french design of the interwar period, always finding new and effective ways of interpreting contemporary aesthetic trends. the heritage perspectives collection is the result of this 25-year journey through timeless italian design.

the lighter fabric options of the ‘soft’ editions also dress the febo chairs, pictured here with the marble paphos table

many consumers seek trusted classic designs that they can rely on over a lifetime. instead of responding to trends, maxalto’s heritage perspectives builds a conscientious evolution to the existing collection – making minor adjustments to color tones, dimensions, materials and models.

many changes were so subtle that they will be felt, instead of seen. for example, a variety of upholstered products, such as the well-loved lucrezia and dives sofas, are now presented in a new ‘soft’ edition. this includes more generous padding and rounded forms, while maintaining the same recognisable identity and haute couture detailing.

instead of a ‘redesign’, antonio citterio, creative director of maxalto, eloquently calls it a ‘precise re-elaboration’. for the latest 2021 maxalto heritage perspectives collection, a warm environment is proposed, with a lighter touch in terms of aesthetics; a coherent update, that is totally faithful to antonio citterio’s initial déco ideal.

rich brown lowlights join softly monochrome tones; seen here in the leather febo chairs (above) and the abseo table (below) in chilean tineo wood

then and today, maxalto maintains a sober luxury, combining strong, refined lines and simple geometry with high-quality production. as the landmark brand for interior décor and italian design, beyond style, maxalto’s lasting appeal is grounded in the highest quality materials, workmanship and precise production methods.

maxalto is true bourgeois domesticity; it seeks to set a scene that is comfortable, convivial and social

other ‘re-elaborations’ are practical. the structure of the xilos table has been redesigned to accommodate chairs more easily. or the abseo table, with its thick profiles and asymmetric legs, now also available in semigloss chilean tineo wood – a material that can be found already across the collection.

strong shapes contribute to citterio’s ‘modern neo-classic’ approach; expressed here by the double circle of the elios coffee table (above) and the X-shaped structure of the max writing desk (below)

a complete range of proposals for the dining, night, office and living areas, maxalto features sofas, armchairs, tables, chairs and furnishing complements for interiors. each has been specially designed to be mutually co-ordinated. this flexibility, along with extensive options for customized solutions, anticipate the needs of the customer and aid the whole collection’s consistent reliability.

citterio merges a search for iconic objects with the intention to design a coherent modern room. in the max writing desk, for example, we find a striking X-shaped steel structure, balanced with extraordinary cabinet maker’s detail to make it reminiscent of a classic bureau. it is an icon that will suit any setting.

the maxalto material palette features a range of complementary colors and textures, all designed to be combined together within one interior

faithful to the original bourgeois ‘scene-setting’ aims that envisions a room as a comfortable, convivial, social and domestic space, maxalto is much more than a collection of objects. rather, it is closer to a way of life. it aims for complete ambience and harmony across a complete range of sophisticated and elegant furnishings.

maxalto’s aim for excellence can be seen in its name, inspired by the term ‘massa alto’, which in the venetian dialect means ‘the highest’. consistent excellency is certainly not a trend. it is a commitment, and for many of us, a lifelong quest, which is why it is a quality so highly valued.

guest feature by harriet thorpe / architonic