Landi chair, an aluminium classic (Landi-Stuhl)
The story of Landi chair
In the late 1930s, the Swiss industry was heavily represented on the aluminium market. This lightweight, but durable metal only required electricity for its production and, thanks to Switzerland’s many hydroelectric plants, this resource was readily available. What the industry needed, was products that would highlight the shiny material and make it desirable for mainstream consumers. For the 1939 national exhibition in Zürich (Schweizerische Landesaustellung) a chair design contest was held. The winning piece of furniture, made entirely of aluminium, would be manufactured for the Swiss capital’s parks and outdoor spaces.
Hans Coray, a relatively unknown artist and sculptor who had earned a PhD degree in Romance languages, working within the Dada and Concrete Art framework, stopped by the office of architect Hans Hofmann. He wanted to show Hans Fischli (Hofmann’s assistant and a former Bauhauser) his new design for a display case. Fischli noted that at the moment was a successful design for an aluminium chair would have been more useful. Coray became extremely excited and started to work on the design immediately. The resulting design was somewhat reminiscent of the earlier attempts at a perforated chair by Josef Hoffman and Oswald Haerdtl (c. 1929). It weighed about 6 pounds, was very elegant and could be stacked.
The manufacturing of the new chair was handed to the Blattman metal company, along with Rorschach metal works. Through the use of recent technology, the piece acquired the look that even Coray could not have anticipated, when a special chemical treatment gave the metal additional strength, whyle making the surface shine. Fifteen hundred chairs were produced for Zürich’s parks and squares. The well-known connection to the national exhibition helped coin the name Landi (for Landesaustellung).
Over the years, the design was modified slightly. Once the chair became to be used indoors, as well as outdoors, black or white caps were added to the legs, to prevent them from scratching the floor. The perforations which in the original design formed two separate rectangles. There were 91 holes total (49 in the back, 42 in the seat). Starting in 1962, the holes became larger, making a total of 60. The chair became more elegant and stable. One should also consider that people who have trypophobia (fear of tighly packed holes) would have an easier visual experience with fewer larger holes. This is important for a piece of furniture destined for public spaces. However, Vitra, one of the chairs recent manufacturers, decided to return to the original 91 hole model.
Inspired by this success, Hans Corey went on to design other chairs. None became as popular as Landi.
Where to use a Landi chair
Because of its reflective surface, Landi will blend in with any environment, outdoors or indoors. But it can easily dominate a small or medium space, when used in a set of more than 2 or 3. Again, be mindful of the visual distraction produced by shiney metal with holes.
Where to buy a Landi chair
Manufacturers of the Landi chair changed over the years, but the current official produces is Vitra, selling the piece for as low as $600. Occasionally you will see this chair listed as 2070 Spartana, produced by Zanotta SpA.
