Radical Comfort: Celebrating 60 Years of B&B Italia

Designer:: Antonio Citterio, Patrick van Riemsdijk, Gaetano Pesce, Mario Bellini
Brand:: B&B Italia, Maxalto

For six decades, B&B Italia has challenged the idea that furniture should simply furnish a room.

Its collections have transformed contemporary living through industrial innovation, cultural experimentation and exceptional Italian craftsmanship. To celebrate the brand's 60th anniversary, and the 50th anniversary of Maxalto, Matisse presented Radical Comfort, a curated exhibition exploring four landmark designs that continue to shape the way we think about comfort today.

For six decades, B&B Italia has redefined what furniture can be.

More than a manufacturer, the Italian design house has consistently challenged convention through innovation, craftsmanship and a willingness to question how people live. To celebrate the brand's 60th anniversary—and the 50th anniversary of Maxalto—Matisse presented Radical Comfort, a temporary exhibition exploring the enduring influence of four landmark furniture designs.

Rather than presenting furniture as objects for sale, Radical Comfort invited visitors to experience each piece as a moment in design history. Together, the exhibition traced more than five decades of creative experimentation, revealing how furniture can influence not only the appearance of a space, but the way we gather, relax and interact with one another.

At the centre of the exhibition were four iconic works that each represented a pivotal chapter in the evolution of contemporary design. From the revolutionary softness of Le Bambole, to the modular freedom of Camaleonda, the sculptural social commentary of Serie Up, and the collectible artistry of Lilum 50, each piece reflected a different way of thinking about comfort, materiality and modern living.
The exhibition also highlighted the designers behind these works, including Mario Bellini, Gaetano Pesce, Antonio Citterio and Patrick van Riemsdijk, whose ideas continue to shape architecture and interiors around the world. Their projects demonstrate that great furniture is never simply functional. It can challenge expectations, provoke conversation and become part of our cultural history.

Installed within the Matisse Auckland showroom, Radical Comfort transformed the space into a small design exhibition, encouraging visitors to slow down, read, observe and engage with the stories behind the collections. It reflected a belief that understanding the history of a design often deepens our appreciation of the object itself.

As New Zealand's representative of B&B Italia and Maxalto, Matisse is proud to share not only these remarkable collections, but also the ideas, craftsmanship and design heritage that continue to make them relevant decades after their creation.

Radical Comfort formed part of Milan to Matisse, an evening celebrating international design through conversation, hospitality and exhibition. Together, the event and exhibition reflected Matisse's commitment to bringing the world's leading design brands to New Zealand.