Snøhetta and Citterio introduce Borealis
An interplay of structure and softness, connections and texture
Snøhetta and Citterio introduce "Borealis" during Paris Design Week 2025 — a new modular seating system where defined wooden planes meet soft, precisely shaped volumes. As a fusion of structure, refinement, material clarity, and compositional rigor, "Borealis" reflects a shared commitment to craftsmanship, comfort, and contemporary design.
The system is built around a visible oak frame, that encloses upholstered elements with architectural precision. Its essential geometry defines the system: precise, architectural, and balanced — delivering a sense of containment without heaviness and comfort without informality.
Reminiscent of Nordic nature and Scandinavian design approach, the wooden surfaces and profiles form a natural element in the space. Within the seemingly simple construction, technical features and solutions are hidden, to offer room for more subtle and undisturbed moments.
“With Borealis, we set out to create something enduring, a design that feels both composed and adaptable. It’s a structural framework that offers calm and clarity, while quietly elevating everyday moments. The system reflects Citterio’s unique approach to spaces and our belief that good design doesn’t need to shout, it needs to support its context,” says Marius Myking, Director of Product Design, Snøhetta
Designed by Snøhetta "Borealis" combines the studio's architectural sensibility with its industrial design expertise. It translates the practice's transdisciplinary approach, blending landscape and built form, structure and softness, into a collection that feels at once natural and composed.
“Borealis” lines and elements assume a certain clarity, every connection is purposeful and contribute to the overall expression. This balance speaks the language of contemporary architecture, while responding to the needs of increasingly hybrid and flexible environments.
The design strength of “Borealis” also lies in its modular logic. The system is based on a square footprint — a generative unit from which an articulated collection unfolds: armchairs, two- and three-seater sofas, benches, and side tables. Each element is designed to maintain dimensional and formal consistency, enabling both free and serial compositions depending on the context. The apparent wooden frame, available in both a natural and a dark finish, serves as a precise boundary around upholstered volumes that connect with effortless coherence.
Thanks to the construction and logic of the wooden profiles and panels, “Borealis” becomes a true system: an architectural tool that can expand to different typologies, able to create dynamic furnishing landscapes, from open lounges to more intimate settings. The system evolves naturally with the space, offering flexible solutions for work, waiting, or social areas.
Our collaboration with Snøhetta is rooted in a shared vision of space and design — one that merges architectural sensibility with industrial culture. After UniFor, we’re proud to see Citterio interpret this synergy through a system that speaks the language of contemporary design,” says Carlo Molteni, CEO of UniFor and Citterio
“Borealis” will debut during Paris Design Week, with a launch event on September 4, 2025 and will be on display at the UniFor showroom in Paris until September 13.
Renderings and animation by: Shestakovych Studio
Photos by: A. Saletta for Citterio/Snøhetta
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Morten Moum