Following Joseph’s entrée into the subject of the bent plywood chair earlier this week on 3Rings, it seems appropriate to introduce another into the mix. From Alvar Aalto’s Model No.41 Paimio Scroll Chair to the Eames Lounge Chair Wood (LCW), plywood has been molded into various chair adaptations by several renowned modernists.

Lamina Chair. Designed by Hannes Wettstein for Dietiker Switzerland.

More recently, we have seen Igloo Play’s Mod Rocker, the Felt Chaise Chair designed by Jeremy Kaplan and Magic by Dripta Roy of Puur Design Studio. Not surprisingly, the material and its potential have not lost their appeal in the world of design. Dietiker Switzerland, an award-winning contract-furnishings manufacturer based in Stein am Rhein (“Stone on the Rhine River”), recently introduced Lamina, a chair with a molded plywood seat shell with a steel tube base. Available in a central foot or 4-foot variation, Lamina can be a stacking chair, a chair with armrests or swivel chair. With its chrome base and bent plywood seat shell, the 4-foot variation is similar to that of Orbit, designed by Ross Lovegrove for Bernhardt Design although the seat and backrest have a decidedly different shape (with Dietiker’s Lamina being the more simplistic and solid of the two forms.)

Dietiker is calling Lamina, “A chair which many architects have waited for. Lamina is filigree and independent at the same time.” The laminated wood veneer is available in various finishes including black while the base and armrests can be finished in either polished chrome or a matte black finish. The combination of the black wood veneer and matte-black base creates a striking, smooth and cohesive aesthetic. Conversely, the wood grains juxtaposed against polished chrome draw attention to the patterning and color in the plywood veneer. Lamina is also available with a thinly upholstered seat and back, although this would seem to hide the very essence of the piece.

Lamina is the work of renowned Swiss designer Hannes Wettstein, initially educated as a structural engineering draftsman.  The designer passed away last July after a long illness, likely making this one of his last works.  The impressively sculpted piece will likely become a well-used favorite in upcoming years.