Outdoor living and modularity, a new contemporary vision by Pininfarina

by Teo Sandigliano

Orizzonte and MODO, developed respectively for the Italian brand Reflex and the Brazilian Green House, the international studio reinterprets modularity to adapt to different projects and spaces, without neglecting beauty and functionality.

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Thanks to its experience in automotive and architecture projects, Pininfarina reinterprets the modularity of outdoor furniture by presenting two new versatile solutions, Orizzonte and MODO, capable of satisfying the needs of both users and designers.  At the 2025 Salone del Mobile, the studio unveiled Orizzonte, a new collection that renews its collaboration with the Italian furniture brand Reflex, ten years after the iconic Segno series. While the first collection featured a more rigid aesthetic created for commercial interiors, Orizzonte, as the name suggests, broadens Reflex’s vision into the outdoor and nautical sectors with a range of products characterized by optimized modularity, designed to offer both visual and physical comfort.

The redesign of the collection begins with the sofa, specifically its backrest mechanism, which lets users select their preferred angle of recline. This conceptually transforms the elements into “petals” that open and close at will. With a seat height slightly above the standard 40 cm (44 cm) for added comfort, each unit features floor-length upholstery, making the cushion a supportive yet soft element. The modules are available in a variety of configurations, including traditional setups, peninsula, extra-deep, lounge, and daybed solutions.

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MODO, Greenhouse by Pininfarina, image courtesyMODO, Greenhouse by Pininfarina, image courtesyOrizzonte, Reflex by Pininfarina, image courtesyMODO, Greenhouse by Pininfarina, image courtesyMODO, Greenhouse by Pininfarina, image courtesyOrizzonte, Reflex by Pininfarina, image courtesyOrizzonte, Reflex by Pininfarina, image courtesy

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The name Orizzonte also reappears in the collection’s aesthetic details, expressed through a line that visually splits the seat volume in two, reducing its visual weight. This element aligns with Pininfarina’s values, where an aesthetic line must serve a function. It becomes the junction between the backrest and seat, and also serves as an attachment system for integrated accessories, including a telescopic table developed with Reflex, a side table, an integrated armrest, or a flat table, offering a further level of personalization that meets user needs.

Some of these complementary elements can also connect the modules together, enabling even more varied configurations, each serving one or more functions. The collection is a true system that can integrate into any type of setting or situation, confirming its wide-ranging versatility.

Orizzonte table also reflects this approach: the line takes the form of a plate that symmetrically divides the legs and features, at the ends, a three-way joint that allows the support to be adapted to the tabletop. This connection enables the creation of structures in different lengths (up to 2.6 meters) or with three supports, to accommodate both oval and round surfaces.

Like Orizzonte, another project that illustrates the Pininfarina approach in detail is MODO, a collection developed by the American division, Pininfarina of America, in collaboration with Green House, a Brazilian brand specializing in high-performance outdoor furniture. The result is a rich exchange among the various facets of the studio – mobility, product design, and architecture.

MODO refers not only to modularity but also to the “mode” in which we organize and experience the spaces around us. The series is designed with gentle curves that streamline the design, ensuring versatility across diverse contexts and addressing the needs of people and contemporary projects.

Designed for outdoor use, one of the collection’s key strengths is the fabric: developed together with the brand, it has the same look and feel as an indoor material, soft and pleasant, yet it can be washed with water, is breathable, and dries quickly without being affected by weather conditions. A high-performance solution also suitable for nautical use. This fabric is carefully matched with various materials, finishes, and stitching.

The heart of MODO‘s design is its modular sofa, which allows for various configurations and layouts. The absence of sharp edges is inspired by the mobility and nautical sectors, as are the dimensions of the modules, which are designed for ease of movement. With one- or multi-module solutions, a sofa-lounge-bed configuration, with high- or low-backrest, the product can adapt to different environments such as poolside areas, beach clubs, and even boats and yachts where more compact solutions are needed. Thanks to a structured framework of curves and volumes, Pininfarina has created a system that reinterprets outdoor furniture with a fluid, contemporary vision. 

MODO features a distinctive design with clean lines derived from the studio’s expertise in the automotive world, and it seeks to respond to contemporary design needs through a flexible and customizable system that reimagines outdoor living, emphasizing comfort and adaptability.

Every element of the MODO collection was designed with particular attention to proportions, ergonomics, and simplicity. From its soft shapes to its carefully selected color palette, the collection offers a timeless aesthetic aimed at making high-performance materials and technological solutions accessible to everyone.