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

For around 30 years, Piero Lissoni making waves in the design world – with impressive consistency. Founded in 1986, the design studio Lissoni Associati He himself succinctly summarizes his minimalist design philosophy

Simplicity is not easy.

Behind this simple statement lies the full complexity of his elegant designs.

Particularly noteworthy is his long-standing collaboration with the Italian furniture manufacturer Living Divani . One of his most famous works emerged from this creative partnership: the Extrasoft Sofa . This modular masterpiece was first launched in 2008 and impresses with its informal design and soft, malleable comfort. The sofa can be arranged in almost endless configurations and was complemented in 2022 by new storage elements that create a delightful contrast to the soft seating surfaces.

Lissoni's creative range extends far beyond sofas. He has also collaborated with renowned luxury brands such as Alessi , Boffi , and Cassina , demonstrating his design versatility in projects ranging from sophisticated kitchen systems to elegant superyachts. How does a designer manage to remain relevant for decades and consistently create timeless objects? The Extrasoft Sofa provides a clear answer.

Piero Lissoni and his design philosophy

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

I like things simple and straightforward, but at the same time I also enjoy being anarchistic. A good dose of craziness never hurts.”

The designer explains his approach. This tension between order and creative chaos characterizes his entire work.

Minimalism with depth

For Lissoni, minimalism not a superficial exercise in reduction.

Simplicity is the public face of complexity

He once aptly described it in an interview. His creative process usually begins with complexity – only then does he gradually dismantle it until the essence emerges. Superficial simplicity, on the other hand, would degenerate into mere banality.

His designs are characterized by clean lines and precise edges. He follows seven surprising principles: lightness, speed, accuracy, visibility, versatility, durability – and, not least, silliness. Lightness, , seems to be close to his heart. This is evident in one of his houses, which features a concrete facade only seven centimeters thick, yet is perfectly stable.

Material choice as an expression of elegance

"Every material has its soul."

Lissoni emphasizes this with palpable conviction. As is so often the case, for him the project itself ultimately decides which material is honest and appropriate. In fact, his creative process often begins with a particular feeling – an intuitive sense for materials or colors, sometimes even with smells.

Instead of following fashionable trends, he uses familiar materials in unusual ways. For example, for the furniture manufacturer Porro , he processed wood in "incredibly acidic colors ," causing the material to lose its natural appearance and gain a completely new identity. At Knoll , he developed a new generation of aluminum with over 50 percent recycled material, distinguished by its rough texture.

The importance of hand drawing in the digital age

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

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

"When you move the pen, this moment is absolutely crucial in giving a project its meaning."

This approach is deeply rooted in Milanese tradition – here, one learns first to be an architect and then simultaneously a designer or engineer. This holistic education enables one to "design a spoon, but also an entire city" – a versatility that perfectly characterizes Lissoni's work.

The collaboration with Living Divani

Living Divani was founded in 1969 by Renata Pozzoli and Luigi Bestetti – initially focusing on high-quality leather sofas. However, the decisive turning point in the company's history came in 1988, when the collaboration with Piero Lissoni began. What started as a simple partnership would prove to be a stroke of luck for both sides.

A groundbreaking partnership

Since 1988, Lissoni, in his dual role as Art Director and Designer, the distinctive style of Living Divani. With his keen sense of proportion and materials, he gave the company a unique identity and led the brand to international acclaim through his unmistakable style code.

The long-term creative relationship between the designer and the company is among the most enduring and fruitful collaborations in the design industry.

From sofa manufacturer to 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 grown into a globally respected brand. With over 70 employees, membership in the prestigious Altagamma association , and a steadily expanding global network, Living Divani has firmly established itself in the international design landscape.

A common design language

What Living Divani and Piero Lissoni have in common are shared core values:

• Perfect, harmonious proportions
• Understated luxury paired with minimalism
• The balance between technological innovation and craftsmanship

We have remained true to our principles for five decades. We listen to our customers and observe the market. But we always stay within our philosophy.”

explains Carola Bestetti, the daughter of the founders and current CEO of the company.

This unwavering commitment to its core values ​​has made Living Divani a brand synonymous with precision, clean lines, and timeless elegance – qualities that perfectly complement Lissoni's minimalist design approach. The result of this successful symbiosis is particularly evident in the Extrasoft sofa.

The Extrasoft Sofa: A Modular Masterpiece

The Extrasoft Sofa, designed by Piero Lissoni for Living Divani in 2008, has since become the epitome of modular elegance. With its informal character and exceptional seating comfort, it redefines what modern seating furniture can achieve.

The concept behind this piece of furniture is a blend of casualness, comfort, and flexibility. The various seating elements can be arranged in a row, allowing for highly customizable configurations. Several details are hallmarks of the renowned designer, including the low seats, the irregular shapes, and—as previously mentioned—the design freedom.

The latter is evident in the geometry, which at first glance appears regular, but is constantly changing in its contours – just like the needs of those who use such an exceptionally dynamic space as the contemporary living room on a daily basis.

The origin story of the iconic furniture design

When designing the Extrasoft, Lissoni pursued a clear vision: he wanted to create a sofa that combined maximum comfort with geometric precision. The name became its mission statement – ​​the piece of furniture should not only be visually appealing, but also feel exceptionally soft, supple, and malleable.

The creation, presented in 2008, perfectly embodies Lissoni's philosophy of "complex simplicity" – behind the clear, minimalist appearance lies sophisticated engineering.

Modularity and flexibility in everyday life

Extrasoft consists of various elements – seats, armrests, and backrests – that can be combined in virtually limitless ways. The individual modules are connected with special hooks but can be rearranged at any time. This concept makes it possible to adapt the sofa to a wide variety of living spaces or to expand it as needs change. Whether as a spacious sectional, a compact corner sofa, or as individual seating elements – Extrasoft grows with the life stages of its owners.

Materials and workmanship

Inside the Extrasoft mattress, a sophisticated system is at work: The frame is made of high-quality poplar wood and spruce honeycomb panels. A system of elastic, rubber-coated webbing is built upon this, providing perfect support. The upholstery consists of:

• Polyurethane foam of varying density
• A mat made of washed and sterilized goose down in separate chambers
• Optional: Visco-Soft “Xtra-pur” with acrylic fiber layers

The fabric or leather covers can be completely removed thanks to a Velcro fastener. Adjustable black PVC feet compensate for uneven floors and complete the well-designed construction.

The role of the modular sofa in the modern living space

In times when living spaces need to be multifunctional, the Extrasoft sofa perfectly captures the spirit of the times. Modular sofas remain highly popular because they can be flexibly adapted to different phases of life. A simple 3-seater/4-seater can be transformed, as needed, into a spacious seating area for movie nights or a more sociable retreat 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 design freedom is suitable for spaces like lofts, where the living room is often generously sized, as well as for smaller settings. An example of this is a living room where a corner sofa can be arranged to save space.

Extra-soft sofa at Classicdesign.it – quality, advice and exclusive service

The Extrasoft Sofa by Piero Lissoni can be conveniently purchased online. The exclusive online shop Classicdesign.it presents itself as a competent partner for Living Divani furniture. For the purchase of your sofa, you can trust Classicdesign.it, a pioneer in online shopping for designer furniture.

Customers can receive professional support and personal advice upon request for the holistic planning of their living space – individually tailored to their respective interior design style. At the same time, they enjoy a highly personalized shopping experience with the option of quickly requesting and receiving material samples.

On the portal you will of course find the complete product data sheet of the Living Divani Extrasoft with all details on materials and configurations.

Why the design is timeless

Timeless elegance rarely arises by chance, but rather through well-thought-out design principles. The works of Piero Lissoni 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 follows function" originated with the American sculptor Horatio Greenough in 1852 and was later popularized  Bauhaus His sofas in white, cream, or gray never appear as mere superficial eye-catchers, but rather impress with their substance and act as understated statements within the room.

Lissoni rejects the idea of ​​consciously designing classics:

I only need to go to a museum to see that even if you do your best, you remain a product of your time. Only an idiot sits down in the morning and says: "Today I'm going to design a classic!" 

Instead, he focuses on quality and durability: "Ideally, a sofa should last a lifetime .

Adaptability to different lifestyles

While "fast furniture" increasingly dominates the furniture industry, the demand for durable and flexible alternatives is growing simultaneously.  Modular furniture like the Extrasoft Sofa offers precisely this flexibility, allowing living spaces to be adapted to changing life situations. This adaptability makes the design timeless – it can accompany different phases of life and reinvent itself time and again.

Lissoni's design approach perfectly aligns with this trend.  He doesn't stand for striking individual pieces, but rather for a consistent philosophy and a subtly updated style without extremes. His sofas may appear slimmer with more graceful legs at times, or somewhat fuller – but they always embody that relaxed elegance that blends harmoniously into a wide variety of living spaces.

Influence on contemporary furniture design

The influence of Lissoni's design philosophy on contemporary furniture design is undeniable.  While previously an object was designed first for its practicality and then made aesthetically pleasing , Lissoni united both aspects from the outset.  His clear, minimalist forms define a timeless elegance that combines constructive craftsmanship with meticulous attention to detail.

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 arises from the combination of form, function, and masterful craftsmanship

Timeless design arises from the union of form, function, and masterful craftsmanship – a formula that Piero Lissoni has perfectly embodied with the Extrasoft Sofa for Living Divani. His design philosophy, in which simplicity represents the "public face of complexity ," has shaped the collaboration with the Italian furniture manufacturer for over three decades. This creative partnership has not only produced an iconic sofa system but has also fundamentally transformed the design landscape.

The Extrasoft, introduced in 2008, embodies all the qualities that define a timeless piece of furniture: clean lines, thoughtful modularity, and exceptional comfort. Adaptability is key – the sofa grows and evolves with the needs of its owners, rather than becoming obsolete after just a few years. This flexibility makes it particularly valuable in an era that demands sustainable and long-lasting 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 sofa teaches us an important lesson about timeless design:

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

What is certain, however, is that Lissoni's work will endure in the future – not as a short-lived trend, but as the epitome of timeless design art.