Buckminster Fuller once said “[a designer is] an emerging synthesis of artist, inventor, mechanic, objective economist and evolutionary strategist”. In the case of the steadfast Norwegian furniture designer Hans Brattrud, one might say he adds being a laminate innovator and carpenter to the mix. At 100% Design this year, Fjordfiesta reintroduced his ‘Scandia’ chair to the market – in new colors – 53 years later after its inception.

Scandia. Designed by Hans Brattrud.

In a recent interview with Wallpaper magazine, Brattrud referred to the chair as a “timeless and carefully thought-out design that doesn’t attract too much attention”. In fact, the chairs are said to fit into any genre of interior design since their simplicity exudes a warm but modern aesthetic into its surroundings without screaming a specific trend from the 50s, the 90s, or any decade between.

Brattrud was a carpenter before becoming a furniture designer, and he contributes much of his design confidence to the skills he learned while working with wood. He also felt comfortable dealing with high technology back in the 50s, working to develop a 1-mm thick laminate for wood with high-electricity to set it faster than the usual 3 hours it would take otherwise.

Fjordfiesta is a specialized Norwegian manufacturer that was founded in 2001. It is based on Scandinavian designs, maintaining the heritage of quality designs made with a simple mindset. Located in the quiet city of Molde, that rests on the very edge of a fjord, the company’s ideals and surroundings form a consistent base for the Scandia chairs re-initiation into the market.

As the images of Scandia suggest, there are few different variations offered of the Scandia chair: the Junior Stackable, the Nett Lounge, the Nett Swivel, the Senior Easy, and the Prince Highback chair (featured in the dining room image). Although the shape and purpose of each chair differs, the materials used for each chair is a laminated wood in American Walnut or American Oak with satin chrome steel bolt bases.

As Hans Brattrud and Fjordfiesta will surely prove with the re-launch of this Scandia Chair, great design doesn’t have an expiration date.