BAUHAUS PERIOD: B9 Tubular Nesting Tables
History
B9 Tubular Nesting Tables were designed by Marcel Breuer in 1925. They were used in the cafeteria of Walter Gropius Bauhaus building in Dessau. The Thonet catalogue of 1930/31 included a full range of these nesting tables.
Designed by
Marcel Lajos Breuer (1902 – 1981), Hungarian-born modernist architect and designer, who worked for the Bauhaus design house. Later he moved to the USA.
Dimensions
4 nesting tables
a – W: 45 x D: 39 x H: 45 cm
b – W: 52 x D: 39 x H: 50 cm
c – W: 59 x D: 39 x H: 45 cm
d – W: 66 x D: 39 x H: 60 cm
Materials
Nickel-plated tubular steel construction of the frame, wooden tops lacquered in colour enamel.
Elements and Principles
While working for the Bauhaus, Breuer experimented with the design of tubular steel by applying the principles of the properties of materials to the shapes of the design. Form is the main Element of this design, and Scale is the governing Principle. The 3-dimensional form of each chair has been constructed to be in scaled proportion to the other chairs, proportionally larger or smaller. The form and scale has also been applied in such a way that it allows for comfortable stacking of the chairs together.
Manufactured by
Thonet, an Austrian company with global presence.
Used by Designers
The B9 set of tubular nesting tables has been used in modern private spaces as well as semi-commercial spaces. The original set was used in a cafe and nowadays B9 sets are used in modern cafes and recreational spaces. With the revival of multi-coloured spaces and interiors, the original multi-coloured design is likely to be popular once again, taking over the popularity of the one-colour variations.
Replicas
There are many replicas of the B9 tubular nesting tables, but most of them have discarded the variety of colour and are manufactured in sets of one uniform colour only.
Contemporary interpretations and influences
There have been many interpretations and variations of the B9 tubular nesting tables since the original was designed. One of the earliest interpretations was by another Bauhaus designer, Joseph Albers.
Resources
http://en.shop.thonet.de/residential/coffee-side-tables/range-b-9?a=528
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcel_Breuer
http://www.archiexpo.com/prod/thonet/nesting-table-contemporary-glass-wood-63041-1481973.html
http://www.material-life.co.uk/component/virtuemart/categories/tables/tables-thonet/thonet-breuer-set-of-four-b9-pure-materials-nesting-tables-detail?Itemid=0
http://www.skandium.com/shop/furniture/coffee-side-tables/b9-nesting-tables-14181
https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/tables/nesting-tables-stacking-tables/nesting-tables-josef-albers/id-f_712939/
