10 Designer chairs that changed the world

10 Designer chairs that changed the world

Most of us are not aware that many of the designer chairs that we see nowadays are products of mid-century modern school. Even though they are considered as antique designs, they are still accepted as popular designs, both in aesthetics and functionality. These chairs may likewise become the focal point in the house due to their attractive appearances and how they are arranged in your homes.

Chair and its interesting history

A house that does not have one warm, comfy chair in it is soulless.

-May Sarton

Chair is defined as a piece of furniture with a raised surface which is supported by legs and more often than not, is capable of seating am individual. The common design of chair that you often see are those that are supported by three legs and has a back support. Other designs may show that the chair is supported only by three legs or they can come in various shapes. With regards to materials, they are made from a wide range of materials, such as wood, metal, plastic, fabric and others that or may not be endemic to specific countries. They also come in different design depending on its use and requirements of the owners. For instance, chairs in school is different from the chairs that can be seen with dining tables. School chairs often have built in desks for kids to write on and do other school works. In addition to these, chairs without back support are called stools and when they are a little bit higher, they can already considered as bar stools. Chairs with arm rest are called armchair, and there are also the recliner chairs which has reclining action and those that can be seen in movie theaters where it can seat two people are called love seat. As you can see, chairs have different names depending on the structure, use and the place of origin.

Historically, the term chair came from the English word “chaere”. Old French called it “chaiere”. In Greek and Latin, they were called “kathedra” and “cathedra” respectively and literally means “seat”.

Chair has been used for many centuries and it has been a symbol for royalty, nobility and dignity rather than for ordinary use that we are accustomed today. Chair has also been a symbol of authority globally, for instance the term “chairman” that denotes on the heads of the board of directors, committees and academic departments. It was nor until the 16th century that chairs has been used ordinarily, prior to that, they people seat on chests, benches and stools.

It has been with the humans since the early Dynastic Period of Egypt. Chairs then were covered in cloth or leather and are made from carved wood and not to mention that they are lower compared to the modern chair. This is how chairs look like in ancient Egypt and they appear of great wealth and splendor. The more intricate, taller and more exotic the chair is, the more it represents a higher individual who uses it, such as the pharaoh.

Chair was likewise introduced in China which was believed to have been introduced by Christian missionaries in the 7th century.

It was not until the Renaissance period in Europe that the chair ceased to be a status symbol. It was then that the chair became a standard furniture item for those who can afford to buy it. Likewise, the appearance of the chair has been constantly changing with the trending fashion of the years.

In America, chair has been common in households in the 1880s and in the advent of the Industrial Revolution, chairs became more available to the public.

Nowadays, chair has been designed both aesthetically and functionality. For example, certain chairs were designed to support the back particularly the lumbar region to avoid any strain or injury.

10 Designer chairs that changed the world

People buy a chair, and they don't really care who designed it.

-Arne Jacobsen

According to some designers, furniture design is one of the most important form of functional art. It brings together the creativity of different disciplines. It is also believed that every designer should have at least designed a chair. Here is the list of ten designer chairs that have changed the world:

1. Stacking stool model no.60 by Alvar Aalto (1933) – the bent L-shaped leg was developed to create a design that stands out in aesthetic, with mixed art and nature with technology. The trademark of this stool is the application of the bending technology. It is composed of solid birch and are honey colored with a light coat of veneer as a finish.

2. High backed chair from Miss Cranstron’s tea rooms by Charles Rennie Mackintosh (1900) – most likely placed in strategic locations around the rooms in Ingram Street in 1900. It is an elongated dining chair with high back designed for the Ladies Luncheon Room and Cloister Room.

3. Red/Blue chair by Gerrit Thomas (1917) – this design was originally made from plain beech wood and was kept simple so that it would be mass produced.

4. B3 or the Wassily chair by Marcel Breuer (1925) – one of the pioneers of bent tubular steel. The design was inspired by the structure of the bicycle, and strapped with strips of leather and with comfortable reclining angle.

5. Bauhaus Chair by Mart Stam (1926) – one of the first cantilever chairs and became the foundation of the Bauhaus furniture. A classic design which is popular in meetings, conferences and residential areas.

6. OMKstak chair by Rodley Kinsman (1971) – a stacking chair with a pressed sheet-steel seat and back powder coated in numerous colors. It features the lightness of the materials due to the molded seat and back punched with holes.

7. Up-5 Donna Chair by Gaetano Pesce (1969) – material used is polyurethane foam, and fabric. The chair was designed to resemble the prehistoric figure of a fertility female with a ball attached to symbolize the shackles that keep the woman subjugated.

8. Blow Chair by Jonathan De Pas, Donato D'Urbino and Paolo Lomazzi and Carla Scolari (1967) – a portable type of chair made of PVC and constructed in the molds for the processing of plastic, comprising the welding of various parts and then inflated with air. Can be used outdoor or in the pool depending on the requirements of the owner.

9. Lounge Chair 406 by Artek Alvar Aalto (1939) – also known as Pension Chair because it allows the user to be in the state of “retirement”. Made from solid birch cross rails and lien webbed seat. It is lightweight but very durable.

10. Barcelona Chair by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich (1929) – designed for the German Pavilion and was inspired by the folding chairs of ancient times.