Extrasoft Sofa by Living Divani – How Italian furniture designer Piero Lissoni combines tailored comfort and modular design

Piero Lissoni has been a stir in the design world for around 30 years - and with impressive resistance. design studio Lissoni Associati, founded in 1986, employs more than 70 people today and has shaped the international design landscape sustainably. He himself summarizes his minimalist design philosophy

Simplicity is not easy ”.

Behind this simple statement is the entire complexity of its elegant designs.

His many years of collaboration with the Italian furniture manufacturer Living Divani . One of his best -known works comes from this creative partnership: the extrasoft sofa . This modular masterpiece came onto the market for the first time in 2008 and impresses with its informal design and its soft, formable convenience. The sofa can be arranged in almost infinite configurations and was supplemented in 2022 by new storage elements, which form an attractive contrast to the soft seats.

Lissoni's creative spectrum extends far beyond sofas. With renowned luxury brands such as Alessi , Boffi and Cassina, he also worked together and proves his design versatility in projects from well -thought -out kitchen systems to elegant superyachts. How does a designer manage to remain relevant for decades and to create timeless objects again and again? The extrasoft sofa gives us a clear answer.

Piero Lissoni and his design philosophy

Piero Lissoni's design philosophy is like a fascinating balancing act between opposites.

I like the simple, simple, but at the same time I like to be anarchistically on the road. A good dose of craziness never hurt ”

The designer explains his approach. This tension between order and creative chaos shapes all of his work.

Minimalism with depth

For Lissoni, minimalism not a superficial exercise in reduction.

The simplicity is the public face of complexity ”,

he aptly described in an interview. His creative process usually begins in the complex - only then does he clean up bit by bit until the essentials emerge. Superficial simplicity, on the other hand, would degenerate into mere banality.

His designs are characterized by clear lines and precise edges. He follows seven surprising principles: lightness, speed, accuracy, visibility, diversity, resistance - and last but not least silliness. The lightness seems to be close to his heart. On one of his houses, this is shown in a thin, still completely stable concrete facade in a thin, but completely stable.

Material choice as an expression of elegance

Every material has its soul ”,

emphasizes Lissoni with a noticeable conviction. As so often, the project itself ultimately decides which material is honest and suitable. In fact, his creative process often begins with a certain feeling - an intuitive feeling for materials or colors, sometimes even with smells.

Instead of following fashionable trends, he uses familiar materials in an unusual way. For the furniture manufacturer Porro , for example, he processed wood in "incredible acid colors" , which loses its natural appearance and gains a completely new identity. At Knoll, he developed a new generation of aluminum with over 50 percent recycled material that impresses with his rough feel.

The importance of hand drawing in the digital age

Despite all the technological possibilities, Lissoni remains loyal to drawing by hand. "I draw everything myself ," he explains, "on paper or sometimes on an iPad. But either way: I draw, do not use an elaborate software."

How can this persistence be explained in times of digital perfection? For Lissoni, this practice strengthens an essential connection:

If you move the pen, this moment is absolutely crucial to give its importance to a project. ”

This approach is rooted deep in the Milan tradition - here you learn to be an architect and then also become a designer or engineer. This holistic training enables "to design a spoon, but also an entire city" - a versatility, the Lissonis creates perfectly characterized.

Cooperation with Living Divani

Living Divani founded in 1969 by Renata Pozzoli and Luigi However, the decisive turning point in the company's history came in 1988 when the collaboration with Piero Lissoni began. What started as simple cooperation should prove to be a stroke of luck for both sides.

A pioneering partnership

Since 1988, Lissoni has shaped the unmistakable handwriting of Living Divani an art director and designer With his fine feeling for proportions and materials, he gave the company a unique face and led the brand to international recognition through its unmistakable style code.

The long -term creative connection between the designer and the company is one of the most constant and fertile collaborations in the design industry.

From the sofa manufacturer to the design icon

Under Lissoni's creative leadership, the product range continued to evolve. What began as a specialist in upholstered furniture now encompasses a diverse range of beds, chairs, coffee tables, armchairs, tables, bookcases, and rugs. A highlight of this collaboration was undoubtedly the design of the new company headquarters for the company's 40th anniversary in 2007—an elegant composition of glass and metal that harmoniously nestles around the existing botanical garden.

The once small family business has now grown into a globally valued brand. With over 70 employees, membership in the prestigious Altagamma network and a steadily growing global network, Living Divani has firmly established itself in the international design landscape.

A common design language

What connects Living Divani and Piero Lissoni are shared basic values:

• Perfect, harmonious proportions
• Subtle luxury paired with minimalism
• The balance between technical innovation and manual ability

We have been faithful to our line for five decades. We listen to our customers and watch the market. But we always stay within our philosophy. "

explains Carola Besteti, the daughter of the founder and today's CEO of the company.

This persistent loyalty to your own values ​​has made Living Divani a brand that stands for precision, clear lines and timeless elegance - properties that harmonize perfectly with Lissoni's minimalist design approach. The result of this successful symbiosis is particularly impressive in the extrasoft sofa.

The extrasoft sofa: a modular masterpiece

The extrasoft sofa came from Piero Lissoni for Living Divani in 2008 and has since developed into the epitome of modular elegance. With its informal character and the extraordinary seating comfort, it redesigned what modern seating can do.

The concept behind this piece of furniture is a mixture of nonchalance, comfort and flexibility. The different sitting elements can be strung together and enable highly personalizable configurations. There are several details that can be considered the trademark of the famous designer. This includes the low seats, as well as the irregular volume and - as already mentioned - the design freedom.

The latter shows itself in the geometry, which appears regularly at first glance, but is constantly changing in their contours - just like the needs of those who use an exceptionally dynamic space as the contemporary living room every day.

The history of the iconic furniture design

When designing the extrasoft, Lissoni pursued a clear vision: he wanted to create a sofa that combines maximum comfort with geometric precision. The name became the program - the piece of furniture should not only be visually appealing, but also feel accordingly: exceptionally soft, compliant and formable.

The creation presented in 2008 perfectly embodies Lissoni's philosophy of "complex simplicity" - behind the clear, minimalist appearance is well thought out.

Modularity and flexibility in everyday life

ExtraFt consists of different elements - sitting, armrests and backrests - that can be combined almost limitlessly. The individual modules are connected to special hooks, but can be arranged at any time. This concept enables the sofa to be adapted to a wide variety of living spaces or expanding with changed needs. Whether as a spacious living area, compact corner sofa or as a single sitting elements - ExtraFt grows with the life phases of its owners.

Materials and processing

A sophisticated system works inside the extrasoft: the frame consists of high-quality poplar wood and spruce honeycomb panels. A system of elastic, coated straps, which ensures the perfect under suspension, builds on this. The padding is composed:

• Polyurethane foam of different density
• A mat of washed and sterilized goose saunas in separate chambers
• Optional: Visco-Soft "Xtra-Pur" with acrylic fiber layers

The cover made of fabric or leather can be completely removed thanks to a Velcro fastener. Adjustable black PVC feet also compensate for soil unevenness and complete the well thought-out construction.

The role of the modular sofa in modern living space

In times when living rooms have to be multifunctional, the extrasoft hits the nerve of time. Modular sofas are still very popular because they can be flexibly adapted to different phases of life. If necessary, a simple 3-seater/4-seater becomes a spacious seating landscape for the film evening or a more communicative island for guests.

At the same time, Extrasoft reflects the trend towards individuality. While furniture used to follow rigid patterns, this sofa allows for individual design of the living space. Its clear, timeless design also makes it a long-lasting companion – a not insignificant aspect in times of growing sustainability awareness.

The enormous freedom of design is suitable for both rooms and lofts, in which the living room is often generously measured and for smaller contexts. An example of this is a living room in which a corner sofa can be set up space -saving.

Extrasoft sofa at Classicdesign.it-Quality, advice and exclusive service

The extrasoft sofa from Piero Lissoni can be conveniently bought online. The exclusive online shop from Classicdesign.it presents itself as a competent partner for Living Divani Möbel. To buy your sofas, you can trust Classicdesign.it on a pioneer in the area of ​​online shopping for designer furniture.

On request, customers receive professional support and personal advice on the holistic planning of the living area - individually tailored to the respective furnishing style of the customer. At the same time, you can enjoy a highly personalized shopping experience with the opportunity to quickly request and maintain material patterns.

On the portal you can of course find the full product data sheet of the Living Divani ExtraFt with all details about materials and configurations.

Why the design is timeless

Timeless elegance rarely arises random, but by well thought -out design principles. Piero Lissoni's works for Living Divani, above all the extrasoft sofa, embody this special quality in an impressive way.

Form follows function - but with style

The famous principle "Form Follow Function" originally comes from the American sculptor Horatio Greenough from 1852 and later became popular by the Bauhaus . However, Lissoni interprets this principle in its characteristic way. His designs undoubtedly fulfill their practical purpose, but radiate a subtle elegance.  His sofas in white, cream or gray never act as superficial eye -catchers, but convince with their substance and act as subtle statements in the room.

Lissoni rejects the idea of ​​deliberately wanting to design classics:

I just have to go to the museum to see: even if you do your best, you stay a child of your time. Only an idiot sits down in the morning and says: Today I design a classic! ” 

Instead, he focuses on quality and durability: "At best, a sofa accompanies your whole life" .

Adaptability to different lifestyles

While "Fast Furniture" is increasingly dominating the furniture industry, the demand for long -lasting and flexible alternatives is growing at the same time.  Modular furniture such as the extrasoft sofa offers exactly this flexibility to adapt living spaces to changing life situations. This versatility makes the design timeless - it can accompany different phases of life and keep reinventing itself.

Lissoni's design approach fits perfectly with this trend.  It does not stand for conspicuous individual pieces, but for a continuous attitude and a carefully updated style without extremes. His sofas appear a little slimmer with more grazile legs, then a little more filler - but they always embody the relaxed elegance that blends harmoniously into different living environments.

Influence on contemporary furniture design

The influence of Lissoni's design philosophy on contemporary furniture design is obvious.  While an object was initially designed according to its practicality and then "pretty" made , Lissoni combines both aspects from the start.  Its clear, minimalist forms define a timeless elegance that combines constructive artistry with custom -made care.

Furthermore, Lissoni's approach reflects the shift towards a "slower" design – timeless pieces that can be passed down from generation to generation. This sustainable design philosophy makes his work particularly relevant in an era that increasingly values ​​longevity and adaptability.

Timeless design is created by the combination of shape, function and masterful craft

Timeless design is created by combining the shape, function and masterful craft - a formula that Piero Lissoni has perfectly implemented with the extrasoft sofa for Living Divani. His design philosophy, in which simplicity represents the “public face of complexity” , has been shaping cooperation with the Italian furniture manufacturer for over three decades. This creative partnership has not only produced an iconic sofa system, but also changed the design landscape sustainably.

The extrasoft presented in 2008 embodies all qualities that make up a timeless piece of furniture: clear lines, well thought -out modularity and maximum comfort. The focus is on adaptability - the sofa grows and changes with the needs of its owners instead of becoming obsolete after a few years. This flexibility makes it particularly valuable at a time that requires sustainable and durable furnishing solutions.

Lissoni's minimalist aesthetic – which he brings to the modern design world under the umbrella of Lissoni&Partners from Milan and New York – proves to be a timeless alternative to fleeting design trends. The harmonious combination of technical innovation and craftsmanship creates furniture that is not conceived as a fashion statement, but as a lifelong companion. The collaboration between Piero Lissoni and Living Divani reflects a shared vision: design should not only be aesthetically pleasing, but also remain relevant – independent of changing trends and fashions.

The story of the ExtraSoft Sofas teaches us a significant lesson about timeless design:

True elegance is not in superficial beauty, but in the perfect balance between shape, function and adaptability.

However, it is certain that Lissoni's work will continue to exist in the future - not as a short -lived trend, but as the epitome of timeless design art.