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There are countless knock-offs on the market, but nothing beats the ingenuity and stability of the original Panton chair.
Image: Space Furniture
Why We Love It
Designed by Verner Panton in 1959, the chair is a single form, injection-moulded piece – the very first of its kind in the world. Also known as the S chair or the Stacking Chair, it was nearly a decade before the ground-breaking seat made its way from development into production due to problems in the materials used. Developed by Vitra, it is now made of polypropylene, highly resilient, and completely recyclable.
Who Designed It
Danish designer Verner Panton had worked under his countryman, Arne Jacobsen, before branching out on his own. Influenced by Jacobsen’s Series 7 chairs, which had a seat made of a single piece of material, Panton was inspired to create single-form furniture. Captivated by plastic, a revolutionary new material in the ‘50s, he sought to design a versatile chair that could be used both outdoors and indoors. One of the pioneers of fluid, futuristic designs, Panton is remembered for his experiments with curved furniture, textiles, and lighting.
What It Inspired
In 2006, Vitra expanded the Panton chair collection. With permission from Panton’s wife, Marianne, the company developed Panton Junior, chairs about three-quarters the size of the original. The brightly coloured, lightweight material of the chair is attractive to children and perfect for them with its smooth, easy-to-clean surface.
The Panton Chair is available at Space Furniture.