Cassina Pierre Jeanneret 055 Capitol Complex Chair

Description

Chair designed by Pierre Jeanneret circa 1950, relaunched in 2019. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy.

This chair is one of … more Chair designed by Pierre Jeanneret circa 1950, relaunched in 2019. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy.

This chair is one of the most recognisable in Chandigarh’s Capitol Complex, found throughout the offices of the Secretariat. The independent pieces, including the side bars in an inverted “V” supporting the armrests, are all made of solid wood. The woven backrest and seat, stretched across a wooden frame, are elements common in the area, much like the use of local woods like teak. Similar to the better-known office chair, this armless chair also uses the “V” approach to sidebars, in this case shorter as they do not extend to the arms. Importance, instead, is given to the seating/ backrest sequence in Viennese woven cane, connected with an immense geometric section supported by two wooden profiles, and coplanar legs, that together, are simple and yet, powerful at the same time.

These product is a tribute to Pierre Jeanneret, a key figure in the realization of Chandigarh. His experience in India lasted until the end of his days in 1967. His close and continuous contact with the local territory led him to combine essential forms with simple materials to create a meeting point between modern European ideals and the traditional Indian spirit.

The Chandigarh project is considered Le Corbusier’s most mature work that summarises his poetics, technique and ideology, consistent with his will to research and contribute to the culture of architecture and design. less