The CH101 Lounge Chair is one of the lesser-known but still outstanding designs by Hans J. Wegner. Designed in the early 1970s, the chair was only manufactured in small numbers and discontinued soon after it was discontinued. The chair was forgotten for more than three decades before it was reintroduced and put into series production in 2008 on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Carl Hansen & Son. Hence the name of the chair – “CH101”.
story
Hans J. Wegner, nicknamed “The Master of the Chair”, designed the CH101 Lounge Chair. It was his great passion for chair design that eventually made Wegner a legendary figure in Danish modernism and a world-famous furniture designer. He created more than 500 chairs, many of which went into mass production. Wegner designed the furniture series, consisting of the CH101 and the 2 and 3-seater sofas, in the early 1970s with the Danish furniture manufacturer Johannes Hansen, who at that time produced a limited number. The CH101 chair was brought back to life by the furniture company Carl Hansen & Son. Thanks to close collaboration with the Hans J. Wegner Studio, which provided Carl Hansen & Son Wegner’s original sketches and specifications of the chair from the studio’s archives, the final version of the chair was ready to go into mass production in 2008. This furniture design classic produced under the new brand was immediately commercially successful and ultimately fulfilled Wegner’s basic conviction. that a chair is only ready when someone is actually sitting in it.
design
The shape of the chair is simple but elegant and sophisticated. Its design embodies the famous credo of its creator: “A chair should not have a rear view. It should be beautiful from all angles and angles. “Indeed, the chair with its famous geometric shape is very appealing and futuristic from every angle. It feels as modern as it did almost half a century ago. A light, attractive and comfortable lounge chair. An excellent example of Wegner’s constant pursuit of simplicity, to create sculptural beauty, comfort and outstanding stability. The chair shell is made up of several birch wood components connected with dowels. The frame is then polished for a smooth finish. The sophisticated manufacturing techniques, including Computer Numerical Control (CNC) milling, used in used in production show very clearly why the production of the chair with the technology available in the 1970s was extremely problematic and unprofitable.
The shape of the chair is reduced to the essentials so that it appears pure and subtle. Perhaps one of the most distinctive features of the CH101 lounge chair is its underrun protection base, which is made of curved straps made of brushed stainless steel. The base provides visual lightness and provides a balanced contrast to the spacious seat. The brushed stainless steel belts were also used to refine the front and back of the trapezoidal armrests, adding to the chair’s sophisticated appeal. The high level of comfort is due to the thick, reversible pillows. They are based on a foam core that is surrounded by a mixture of European down and foam granules. Customers can choose from three types of leather upholstery: semi-aniline ox skin with natural grain and coated surface, cowhide or full grain, uncoated pure aniline ox hide, available in a variety of colors. In addition to the look, the supple leather upholstery contributes to the extraordinary comfort of the chair and indicates its lounge nature.
Although the chair looks like a masterpiece of modern art, it is fully functional and very durable. Its elegant, exquisite design, combined with the impeccable quality of craftsmanship, has given the chair a very special place in the history of interior design. This timeless piece of furniture still looks fresh and fascinating and is a great, tasteful addition to any modern interior.