Making custom-made seats is a great opportunity, but it can also become a trap.

Anyone working in the world of contract or professional furniture knows this: every project has different needs, each space requires unique solutions and every customer wants something that truly represents them.

As customization increases, so do the complexities: more variables to manage, more technical steps, more error margins. The costs often become out of proportion as well.

For this reason, a new approach is needed.

At Sititaly we asked a precise question:

Is it possible to offer design freedom without losing efficiency?

The answer lies in our construction system, developed to reduce waste, optimize processing times and make customization not only possible, but also sustainable.

From concept to upholstery: how efficient seats are born

At the base of the Sititaly collections there is a precise choice: use the rigid polyurethane as structural core, eliminating metal frames or hybrid solutions that are difficult to dispose of.

This approach allows us to design durable, lightweight and dimensionally stable mono-material shells, perfect for supporting padding and coatings without deformation over time.

Keeping costs and times under control is the real advantage of this structure’s wide range of design freedoms.

The body’s geometry can be adapted during the design phase to meet ergonomic and stylistic needs, while also simplifying subsequent operations.

The Sititaly system provides, in fact, the creation of forms that also simplify the coating phase, avoiding permanent gluing or unnecessary passages. Surfaces are designed to be easily wallpapered, with clean lines, balanced thicknesses and patch zones designed to minimize material stresses.

The result?

• Less time for coating application.
• Less fabric waste.
• More ease of customization, even for small batches or one-offs.

The possibility of removable covers in some models, such as IDA, achieved with a simple replacement kit that is also accessible to the final consumer.

This design focus allows to reduce costs, while offering a high-end, tailored product ready to be renewed over time.

Sustainable personalization: less waste, more value

Customizing does not have to mean waste. At Sititaly this concept translates into concrete choices.

Designing a single material rigid polyurethane shell allows you to:

• Eliminate the use of permanent glues.
• Drastically reduce the number of components.
• Facilitate the separation of materials at the end of their life.
• Reuse the structure for more life cycles.

This is the case of IDA, one ofthe flagship models of the brand, which has received the High Product Qualityaward at the Interzum Award 2025: the shell can be reused and wear parts – such as padding or lining – replaced in a simple way, without tools and without having to discard the entire seat. An approach that not only reduces costs in the long run, but also paves the way for a truly circular production model.

Sit With Us: from co-design to production

To make it all possible, Sititaly has developed a dedicated consulting service: Sit With Us.

A guided co-design and engineering path where designers, architects or companies are supported at every stage:

• from the definition of the concept,
• the choice of materials,
• and prototyping,
• up to production.

Thanks to this flexible structure, it is possible to realize collections even in small series, customized and perfectly optimized. Maintaining established times, costs, and a final quality that meets the expectations of the contract market is what we strive for.

Nowadays the key to creating personalized seats, without out-of-scale costs, lies in having a constructive system designed upstream to be efficient, replicable and sustainable The Sititaly model proves that aesthetics, ergonomics, and customization can be combined with intelligent resource management. It provides brands and industry professionals with a tangible opportunity to innovate without relinquishing control.

You want to turn your idea into a tailor-made, efficient and sustainable collection?

Book a free consultation with the Sititaly team.

In the world of chair design and production, innovation not only means improving aesthetics but also transforming the production process in order to ensure precision, efficiency and competitiveness. The DARWIN chair by SITIA, a leading company in north-eastern Italy specialized in office and contract chairs, is an extraordinary example of this concept.

Facing the challenges of shape quality, assembly complexity and production costs, SITIA has found in Sititaly’s technology the key to overcoming them.

The result? A chair that represents a new standard in the sector: fluid and elegant lines, a more efficient production process and optimized costs. The use of rigid polyurethane, combined with innovative solutions, has made DARWIN an example of contemporary design that combines aesthetics and functionality.

Would you like to know how Sititaly made this transformation possible? Read on to explore all the details.

When tradition sets limits: the difficulties in producing DARWIN

When SITIA decided to develop DARWIN, the goal was to create a comfortable and elegant chair that met the highest standards of design and practicality.

However, the traditional chair production system had several limitations, both in terms of complexity and efficiency.
The DARWIN’s support structure was made of curved plywood, a material which required a laborious and complex process.

The production took place in several stages: the bent plywood was divided into different parts that had to be manually assembled by the customer, using metal plates and staples to join them. Once the structure was completed, a rubber plate was applied, cut from blocks and molded entirely by hand to fit the chair’s design.

This approach not only involved a significant expenditure of time and resources, but also entailed a higher margin of error, which could affect the regularity of the shapes and the overall quality of the finished product. In addition, the complexity of the required operations increased production costs and reduced overall efficiency, making intervention that revolutionized the production process necessary.

SITIA was therefore faced with a crucial challenge: how to improve the quality of production while reducing costs and maintaining the refined aesthetics of the chair?

DARWIN is reborn: the winning formula between innovation and design

To overcome these challenges, SITIA relied on the advice of Sititaly, which proposed a completely new approach based on the use of rigid polyurethane.

The main objectives of the intervention are:

• Achieve uniformity in shapes and ensure aesthetic continuity.
• Reduce production costs by improving efficiency.

A paradigm shift in production

To revolutionise the production of the DARWIN chair, an innovative approach that redefined every aspect of the process was adopted. With the introduction of rigid polyurethane, Sititaly has proposed solutions that have not only improved production efficiency but also increased the quality and versatility of the final product. The main innovations implemented are:

Unique rigid polyurethane structure

The transition from curved plywood to rigid polyurethane was a significant breakthrough. By using a single mould, the DARWIN’s bearing structure has been redesigned to be made of one piece, completely eliminating the need to assemble separate parts. This choice not only simplified the production process, but also gave the chair an harmonious and continuous shape, improving its aesthetics and perceiving quality.

The monolithic design also eliminated the risks of misalignment or imperfections from manual assembly.

Integrated fabric channel

One of the most important innovations introduced was the addition of a channel integrated into the structure, designed to facilitate the punching of the fabric during the coating process. This solution improved the precision and quality of the finishes, eliminating the difficulties that occurred with the traditional method.

The integrated channel has kept costs under control, while the same operation performed on a wooden shell would have led to a significant increase in construction costs. This demonstrates how it is possible to combine functional design with high cost-efficiency.

Swabs for variant creation

To maximise the flexibility of the mould, interchangeable pads have been introduced, which allow different variations of the chair to be made using the same mould. In the case of DARWIN, this solution has made it possible to produce both standard and medium versions without having to design and manufacture new moulds. This approach not only reduced initial development costs, but also simplified production management by offering the end customer a range of options without increasing lead time or cost.

The value of change: the practical benefits of the Sititaly approach

Sititaly’s technological approach has transformed the production of the DARWIN chair, leading to concrete results that go beyond simple cost optimization.

The introduction of rigid polyurethane has allowed a more uniform production and a better control over the quality of shapes and finishes. In addition, the ability to create variants of the same model has improved SITIA’s competitiveness in the market.

The harmonious structure and impeccable finishes not only increased the aesthetic appeal of DARWIN, but also significantly reduced waste and defects, resulting in a more sustainable and profitable management.

Sit With Us: the secret to successful sessions

The collaboration with Sititaly has taken DARWIN to a new level, confirming that functional and sophisticated design can be achieved without compromise.

The DARWIN case study demonstrates how targeted advice and a technological approach can revolutionise the production process of a product. If you want to achieve innovative results, try Sit With Us, the personalized consulting service of Sititaly.

What does Sit With Us offer?

• Strategic consulting, during which we analyse your projects to identify the best solutions in terms of materials and processes.
• Production optimization, as we propose advanced technologies such as the use of rigid polyurethane to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
• Personalized support, since we accompany you in every phase, from design to production, to ensure excellent results.
• Increased competitiveness in the market through innovative and sustainable solutions.

Sititaly’s technological approach has transformed the production of the DARWIN chair, leading to concrete results that go beyond simple cost optimization.

The introduction of rigid polyurethane has allowed a more uniform production and a better control over the quality of shapes and finishes. In addition, the ability to create variants of the same model has improved SITIA’s competitiveness in the market.

The harmonious structure and impeccable finishes not only increased the aesthetic appeal of DARWIN, but also significantly reduced waste and defects, resulting in a more sustainable and profitable management.

Want to find out how Sititaly can help you revolutionize your projects?

Book a free consultation with Sit With Us today and let our experts guide you towards solutions that will really make a difference for your business.

The world of design and furniture is experiencing an unprecedented evolution. Innovation in materials, the growing focus on sustainability and the integration of digital technologies are redefining the way furniture and home furnishings are being designed and produced.

In 2025, the industry will be driven by new needs: consumers are looking for more durable, customizable and environmentally friendly products, while companies must optimize production processes to reduce waste and costs.

But what are the fundamentals of this transformation? We have identified 5 pillars that are already shaping the future of furniture and that will be essential to remain competitive in the upcoming years.

1.  Smart materials: more sustainable, more efficient

In recent years, the furniture industry has made huge strides in the use of eco-friendly materials, but by 2025 this trend will become an even more compelling requirement.

The industry is investing in recycled and recyclable materials, such as FSC-certified wood, regenerated plastics and eco-friendly fabrics. In the seating sector, polyurethane is proving to be one of the most efficient solutions, and we, at Sititaly, have placed it at the centre of our research in order to raise sustainability and design standards. This material offers strength, lightness, and recyclability, ensuring more durable and sustainable seats. The use of

mono-material polyurethane especially simplifies the recycling process, avoiding the need to separate different components at the end of life and making each seat not only more efficient to produce, but also more environmentally friendly.

A further step forward is represented by the organic polyurethane, an evolved version of the traditional polyurethane, obtained from no food vegetable raw materials. This material offers good performance in terms of durability and strength with a significantly reduced ecological footprint.

By adopting these innovative materials, companies will not only meet the demands of an increasingly sustainable market, but they will also have the opportunity to obtain incentives and environmental certifications, which are becoming more vital in contract supplies and B2B.

2.  Circular design places the end-of-life of products at its core

The concept of circular economy is pushing the furniture industry towards new solutions. The focus is no longer just on choosing sustainable materials, but on designing products that have a longer life and can be easily regenerated or recycled.

Until a few years ago, an end-of-life chair was simply disposed of. Nowadays, thanks to new construction techniques, the seats can be renewed and reused without having to produce a whole new structure.

For example, at Sititaly we are developing models of rigid polyurethane seats where 80% of the shell material can be reused. Therefore, by replacing the flexible parts when it’s worn, you can have a chair that is practically new, dramatically reducing waste.

Furthermore, companies are designing removable and easily separable furniture to facilitate the recovery of materials. A winning solution for both the environment and the market, which rewards more durable and responsible products.

3.  Automation and digital technologies in production

The production of furniture and chairs is becoming more efficient thanks to the adoption of digital technologies.

The year 2025 will see an acceleration in the use of advanced tools such as:

• Injection molding to reduce waste and improve accuracy
• Laser cutting and CNC milling for high-definition machining
• 3D printing for rapid prototyping and custom production
• Material optimization software, which minimizes waste

These processes allow for more precise products, shorter production times and minimised resource consumption. For chair manufacturers, adopting these technologies means cutting costs without sacrificing quality, optimizing every step of the process.

4.  Large-scale customization

In recent years, the concept of “tailor-made” has spread in many sectors and in 2025 it will become a standard in the furniture world. Customization will no longer be a luxury option, but a market requirement.

Thanks to the integration of digital tools, manufacturers will be able to offer online configurators that allow customers to customize every detail of a seat: colours, finishes, materials and dimensions.

Production will become increasingly flexible and modular, allowing the specific requirements of each project to be met without significantly increasing costs.

This trend opens up huge opportunities for furniture brands: those who can offer a high level of customization without compromising sustainability will have a decisive competitive advantage.

5.  Ergonomics and user experience at the heart of the project

Another key aspect of the furniture of the future will be the focus on the user experience’s quality. It is no longer enough to design aesthetically pleasing furniture: they must be comfortable, ergonomic and durable.

The new generations of seats will be developed in order to adapt better to the human body, thanks to the use of variable density foams, flexible structures and adjustable supports. This is particularly important for the contract and office sector, where comfort is a key factor in choosing a product.

Polyurethane, thanks to its ability to create ergonomic and lightweight shapes, is becoming one of the most liked materials for making seats that offer superior comfort without compromising strength.

The future of furniture starts today. Are you ready to be a part of it?

Furnishing in 2025 will be more sustainable, more efficient and more customizable than ever. For manufacturers, it means adopting new materials, technologies and design strategies to respond to a rapidly changing market.

If you want to find out how to apply these principles to your projects and develop seats in line with the latest market requirements, Sititaly offers you a concrete opportunity.

Sit With Us is our free technical advice to help you turn an idea into a winning collection. We support you in every phase: from design to production, optimizing materials, reducing waste and improving the performance of your product.

Book your consultation now and find out how to make your production more innovative, sustainable and efficient.

The future of design is already here. Will you be among the protagonists?