On the occasion of Helsinki Design Week 2025, Zanotta takes part in the Designing Happiness exhibition dedicated to exploring the relationship between design and happiness.
Curated by Anniina Koivu, the exhibition investigates whether it is possible to design happiness, drawing inspiration from the so-called “happiness cocktail” – the combination of dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and endorphins that influence our wellbeing and perception of joy.
For the occasion, Zanotta is exhibiting Sella by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni (1957), an object that surprisingly combines humour and functionality. Originally conceived as a “telephone stool,” Sella is a seat that allows for unusual and spontaneous postures. Consisting of a racing bicycle saddle mounted on a stainless steel column supported by a hemispherical base, Sella stands out for its remarkable dynamic balance, embodying the creative and visionary spirit that has always distinguished Zanotta. The reference to the world of cycling is also suggested by the pink colour of the tube, inspired by the winner’s pink jersey of the “Giro d’Italia” competition, while the design also evokes the milker’s stool.
In line with the exhibition’s theme, Zanotta demonstrates how design can contribute to wellbeing and happiness, evoking emotions and creating moments of joy through the encounter of different and unexpected contexts.
Photo credits: Helsinki Design Week
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