B&B Italia Outdoor Store Opens in Surry Hills

A new B&B Italia Outdoor showroom has opened in Surry Hills, marking the brand’s first standalone retail space dedicated entirely to its outdoor collection.

Background of the Brand Expansion

Italian furniture company B&B Italia has expanded its global presence with the opening of its first standalone showroom focused exclusively on outdoor furniture. The launch was carried out in partnership with Space Furniture, a retail design business that has operated in the Australian market for over 30 years.

B&B Italia established its outdoor division in 1975 under the name Compagnia delle Filippine. The collection was developed in collaboration with designers Afra and Tobia Scarpa, combining traditional weaving techniques from the Philippines with what was then regarded as cutting-edge Italian design. The outdoor offering was further developed in 2007, with new designs led by Patricia Urquiola.

A Dedicated Space in Surry Hills

Situated at 85 Commonwealth Street, the 450-square-metre Surry Hills showroom presents the full B&B Italia Outdoor range. The layout was developed by the company’s in-house design team and provides a comprehensive view of the brand’s outdoor product offering.

The opening forms part of B&B Italia’s global distribution strategy, which includes operations in more than 80 countries and over 800 retail locations worldwide.

Outdoor Collection Highlights

The B&B Italia Outdoor collection is designed to provide durability and comfort suitable for open-air use. Items in the range include sofas, chairs, armchairs, dining and nesting tables, and sun beds. Designs and materials are developed to manage environmental exposure while retaining functionality.

Featured items include the Erica ’19 range by Antonio Citterio and the Canasta collection by Patricia Urquiola. Other designers featured in the outdoor catalogue include Naoto Fukasawa, Vincent Van Duysen, and Mario Bellini. Legacy items, such as the La Bambola range originally designed in 1972, have been updated using outdoor-ready finishes and textiles.

Strategic Location in Surry Hills

The showroom is located in Surry Hills, an area identified for its growing residential development and active design culture. The suburb has seen a rise in architectural, cultural, and retail activity, aligning with the brand’s strategy for location placement.

Future Direction

The opening reflects B&B Italia’s ongoing collaboration with Space Furniture and signals a continuation of its product-specific retail approach. The Surry Hills showroom allows the company to present its outdoor collection in a dedicated environment, reinforcing its expansion into focused retail formats.

Published 14-July-2025