Unveiled during Milan Design Week 2026, Arkadius and Arkadius Outdoor are the new upholstered furniture collection designed by Norm Architects for laCividina. A modular system born from the convergence of laCividina’s heritage in upholstered furniture and the vision of the Danish studio, which has always been committed to designing spaces and objects capable of enhancing the human experience through balance, materials and perception.
Founded in Copenhagen in 2008, Norm Architects develops projects in architecture, interior design and product design, all united by an approach the studio describes as ‘re-sensualising the built environment’: a quest to restore a more sensory, tactile and human dimension to spaces. Every project stems from a desire to identify the essence of things, striking that balance where function, beauty and well-being coexist naturally.
This philosophy is given concrete form in Arkadius. Designed specifically for La Cividina through a collaborative process of dialogue and design development, the collection stems from an observation of a dichotomy still present in the world of furniture: on the one hand, outdoor furniture systems, which often lack a strong architectural identity; on the other, indoor sofas, capable of defining a space through their presence. Norm Architects’ response is a hybrid collection, conceived to fit just as naturally into indoor and outdoor settings. Its intended use varies depending on the materials and upholstery chosen, whilst the design language remains consistent and recognisable in every context.
“We wanted to create a seating system that would function almost like a piece of architecture rather than simply an object placed within a space. Through its visible wooden structure, Arkadius takes on a distinct presence and a strong spatial identity.”
The character of the collection is defined by the rhythm of the vertical wooden elements that run along the backrests and armrests. A feature that evokes architectural structures, creating an orderly framework within which the upholstered elements are housed. The result is a balance between rigour and softness, between architectural presence and comfort, consistent with the pursuit of ‘Soft Minimalism’ that characterises the work of Norm Architects.
The collaboration with laCividina played a central role in the development of the project. “We appreciated laCividina’s collaborative approach, where projects evolve through dialogue and prototyping within the company itself. This close exchange allows us to achieve the design refinements that define the character of the final product”.
With Arkadius, laCividina and Norm Architects have created a collection that transcends traditional categories of furniture, offering a new continuity between interior and exterior, architecture and comfort, function and atmosphere.
As a result, Arkadius is not simply a new sofa designed by Norm Architects, but the embodiment of their design philosophy within laCividina’s manufacturing expertise.