The 1930s was a difficult time for mankind as it was weighed down by The Great Depression, as well the social and political upheavals that led to World War II. Experimenting with metal in furniture design was nascent, but it piqued Marcel Breuer’s interest, while Finnish design Alvar Aalto dove into the tensile qualities of […]
7 December 2016
The 1930s was a difficult time for mankind as it was weighed down by The Great Depression, as well the social and political upheavals that led to World War II. Experimenting with metal in furniture design was nascent, but it piqued Marcel Breuer’s interest, while Finnish design Alvar Aalto dove into the tensile qualities of wood. Furniture designed in this decade eschewed detailing and ornamentation but focused on minimalist forms. Here, we highlight three stunning armchairs that were inspired by that era. By Joseph Lim
Jean Prouvé was a dreamer, builder and designer and his furniture DNA is all about crisp and minimal chairs, tables and complements. The Cite armchair still looks resoundingly modern even in its 84th year of production. You’ll enjoy the sloped back while your arms rest on the thick natural saddle leather straps to make you feel at ease. Its sturdy frame is made from sheet steel and offers a striking profile when viewed from the side. Available at Space Asia Hub.
Gerrit Thomas Rietveld may not be a household name, but design purists respect his work as a furniture designer and architect. He was one of the principal members of De Stijl, the Dutch artistic movement founded in 1917. The Utrecht is an iconic chair because of its striking angular form. Its leg and armrest are conceived from a singular structure and its seat and backrest form an angle that supports the spine. Available at Dream.
When Alvar Aalto was commissioned to design the Paimio Sanatorium in the late 1920s, it was without a doubt that he dove into designing a chair that would complement the building’s striking architecture. Aalto’s love for Finnish birch led him to design chairs made from this beautiful wood. Designed in 1936 for Artek, the Armchair 400’s ingenious engineered wood with cantilevered base was deployed with upholstered seat and backrest for added comfort. The birch legs and armrests were lacquered to create this chic cantilevered armchair. Available at Xtra and P5
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