Dezeen showroom

S 220 chairs in a restaurant

S 220 chair by Industrial Facility for Thonet

Dezeen Showroom: London-based studio Industrial Facility has reimagined Thonet's seminal 214 bentwood chair from 1859 using modern material technology, with an ergonomic moulded plywood seat and a tubular steel base.

The resulting design – named the S 220 chair – is stackable, material-efficient and distinguished by its smoothly rounded front edge.

S 220 chairs by Industrial Facility for Thonet in a meeting room around a dining table
Thonet's S 220 chair is available with or without armrests

This "waterfall edge" prevents pressure points, is designed to make the chair more comfortable, and picks up the radius of the tubular steel frame, according to Industrial Facility.

"Our design creates an aesthetic conversation between the seat shell and the chair legs," explained Industrial Facility's Sam Hecht. "This lends the seat shell a lovely softness, making it not only pleasing to touch but also incredibly comfortable to sit on."

Black S 220 chairs by Industrial Facility for Thonet in a meeting room
It can be used in public and commercial settings

The ergonomic hourglass shape of the S 220 chair can either stand on its own or be supported by a set of matching bentwood armrests.

In both iterations, the chair is suited to use in both private and commercial settings. The S 220 chair will be officially introduced at office furniture fare Orgatec in Cologne this week, where Thonet is taking over booths A68 and C69 in hall 9.1.

Product: S 220 chair
Designer: Industrial Facility
Brand: Thonet
Contact: [email protected]

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