1960’s: Panton Chair

History

Danish designer Verner Panton (1926 – 1998)  started experimenting with chairs that would have no rear legs in early 1950s. It took him a decade to complete the design of what has become one of world’s most iconic chairs: the Stacking Side Chair, which is now known as the Panton chair.  Panton was fascinated with the opportunities materials such as plastic would give designers: the ability to have the whole item of furniture produced as a single-injection piece. Then he also experimented with how to get the chair stackable. The design for the cantilever-base plastic chair was completed in 1967. The first chairs were made in red, but more colours followed. Nowadays white Panton chairs are most popular. Panton chairs are also manufactured in kids’sizes and as miniatures.

 Designed by

Verner Panton between 1957 – 1967.

Dimensions

Height 88.5cm, width 50cm, depth 74cm, seat height 43 cm

Materials

Varnished high-resistance foam (Baydur).

Elements and Principles

Form and Movement. The unique 3-dimensional form of the Panton chair  creates the impression of a natural flow movement of the design.

Manufactured by

Herman Miller AG/Vitra AG, Basel. Production started since 1968.

Used by Designers

The Panton chair is one of the most popular chairs in designer spaces worldwide. The last decade brought increased interest in Panton chairs, which are being used in residential dining rooms, family rooms, day rooms, outdoors or in children’s nurseries. It is very popular in chic commercial spaces, including restaurants, meeting rooms, hotels and resorts, and even churches.

Replicas

There is an abundance of replicas of the Panton chair. You can buy it online from just about any online store selling replica furniture – it is an absolute icon. In Australia it can be purchased, among others, from Matt Blatt, Sokol, and Space Furniture.

Contemporary interpretations and influences

Being such an iconic item, it lends itself to many interpretations and influences. Below are some interesting examples:

Resources

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verner_Panton

http://www.design-museum.de/en/collection/100-masterpieces/detailseiten/panton-chair-panton.html

http://www.spacefurniture.com.au/panton-chair.html

http://design-milk.com/panton-chairs-inside-and-out/

https://www.partyrent.com/luxembourg/profile/news/read/id/233/?___store=luxembourg_english&___from_store=default

http://charlottesfancy.com/category/house-home/

http://pantonchair.nl/vijf-inspirerende-panton-chair-interieurs/

http://blog.tagesanzeiger.ch/sweethome/index.php/26201/kultmobel-8-der-stuhl-mit-sexappeal/

http://blog.verner-panton.de/leuchten/onion/

http://www.furnishinginternational.com/site/pleat-from-cafe-culture/

http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Joan-fiberglass-armchair-beauty-ass-Continental-Dining-computer-creative-Pantone-fashion-store-decoration-negotiations/1485184_32214531421.html

http://www.chinayadea.com/Products/PantonChairwithwires.html