Cantilevered Chair no 31 – Alvar Aalto 1933
Classic Modern Furniture Design Profile
The chair no 31 has a more subtle curved form than the Armchair 41 but is just as comfortable. The seat was constructed of bent plywood, Masur Birch.
It was supported by cantilevered continuous arm and leg frame of laminated Birch plywood steam bent in the shape of a “C” and had horizontal braces to the back.
The frame was thicker from the front of the seat down as there was more stress on the frame there.
He constructed the frame with seven layers of lamination and less for the arms and back as they required less reinforcement.
The later version of this chair in 1946 was called the 406 Arm Chair or Pension and had a seat and back made of webbing woven between the frame.
About the Designer _Learn more about how the designer contributed to the new wave of modern furniture designers embracing new technologies in the 20th Century.
Further Resources on the Designer – Find books and other web sites.
More Alvar Aalto Furniture Profiles Here
Viipuri Stacking Stools – Alvar Aalto
Simple and clever in design these three legged stools are versatile and functional, the stack ability means that they are ideal for large gathering areas with small storage spaces.
Steam bent timber cantilevered timber frame with a woven cotton interlaced webbing to form the seat and backing.
Designed as a hospital trolley, this wooden cart was quieter and more visually hospitable in the sometimes cold and sterile environment of a hospital.
Two dimensional molded plywood and laminated timber chair.
