Canadians Make
Good Chairs
Author: Christian Dare
Canadians are known
for many things around
the world: they are
polite, friendly, and
socially responsible
to the environment
and to each other. We
are seen as a forward
thinking culture that
tends to be humble
and always seems to
be apologizing. But
one thing we shouldn’t
be apologizing for is
our savvy approach to
design. As part of our
celebration for Canada
150, we have decided
to celebrate Canadian
furniture design. Often
unknown by their
fellow countrymen
and women, Canadian
furniture designers
are actually well
regarded the world
over. Although, we
have become known
for edgy lighting and
beautiful wooden
tables, we seem to have
an affinity for chairs.
Perhaps it’s our need to
pull one up and share a
meal or conversation.
Or perhaps we just
really like sitting. Either
way, here are some
classically cool chairs
that are Canadian. Who
knew, eh?
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BROTHERS DRESSLER | ONEDGE CHAIR, 2005
Designed by twin brothers Jason and Lars Dressler who were originally
trained as engineers, the Onedge series explores the use of plywood
set on its edge to create form, structure, and comfort. The chair is
comprised of repeated elements that are bolted together without
the use of any adhesives. Designed for relaxation with minimal form,
the cantilevered base offers flexibility and bounce for added com-
fort. Of note, the designers follow a philosophy that focuses on local,
reclaimed and responsibly harvested materials; they even recycle the
off-cuts from these chairs into toys and accessories.
Brothersdressler.com, $1500
JONATHAN CRINION | GAZELLE CHAIR, 1988
JACQUES GUILLON |
CORD CHAIR, 1954
Considered to be the father
of industrial design in Can-
ada, Jacques Guillon first
introduced the Cord Chair in
1954 at the Milan Triennale.
The chair showcases two very
simple materials: a solid-ma-
ple frame and eight-strand
braided cord. This combination
represents a near-perfect bal-
ance of fragility and strength.
And it’s damn sexy. The chair
has recently been re-released
by Avenue Road. Avenue-road.
com, Price Upon Request
Although the Gazelle Chair is now considered a Canadian
design icon, Jonathan Crinion’s chair had a very shaky start.
First introduced in 1988, the chair went out of production
by the early 2000s due to issues with the manufacturer and
non-payment of royalties to the designer. Luckily for all of
us, the chair was re-introduced to the market in 2002 by
Keilhauer and has been leaping off showroom floors ever
since. Keilhauer.com
FABIANO AND PANZINI | SOLAIR CHAIR, 1972
First designed in 1972 by two industrial design graduates, Fabio
Fabiano and Michelange Panzini, the Solair Chair continues to be a
design classic fifty years later. The pair originally set out to rework
the concept of a comfortable yet modern indoor/outdoor chair – and
that was also economical. They turned to the latest technology of
the time: injection molding plastics and steel framing. Not long after
production started, the chair instantly became a best-seller across
Canada and throughout the United States; there wasn’t a roadside
motel in the 1970s that went without one. The Solair chair is now an
iconic fixture of North American culture and is even part of the per-
manent collection at the Montreal Museum of Fine Art.
INabstracto.com, $155
FRANK GEHRY, KNOLL | HAT TRICK ARM CHAIR
KARIM RASHID, UMBRA |
OH! CHAIR
Last but not least, let’s turn to
perhaps the most prolific Ca-
nadian designed chair: the Oh!
Chair by Karim Rashid. Originally
released by Umbra in 1999, this
chair instantly won an IDEA
award and was added to the
SFMOMA permanent collection.
Interestingly enough the chair
is named after the exclamation
you emit after settling in - and it
definitely does the name justice.
Constructed of polypropylene
with new matching matte finish
steel legs, its ergonomic, kinetic
design flexes for comfort. It will
definitely have you saying "Oh!
Man I'm never standing again."
Umbra.com, $70
Perhaps one of Canada’s most famous architectural exports, Frank
Gehry has also built a strong following within the furniture design com-
munity. The Hat Trick chair was first conceived in 1989, when furniture
retailer Knoll approached him to create a chair. The Hat Trick pays
homage to Gehry's Canadian roots and his love of ice hockey. That’s
right it is named after the term used when one player scores three
goals in one game. The chair is constructed from wafer-thin strips of
laminated maple that are bent, woven and curled, referencing hockey
sticks - assisting this chair in scoring another design goal for Canadi-
ans. Knoll.com, $1930
Image: Knoll, Inc.
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