A stackable chair made intelligently with a steel base brings justice to authentic conference room and patio furniture alike. In this week’s Top Ten list of Metal-Based Stackers, we gaze beyond the innumerable brown folding chairs and into the minds of designers who understand a few things about functional, spatial efficiency. They dabble in solid, powder-coated, chrome-plated, anodized, recycled, and ergonomic steel and aluminum base designs to bring this list of stackables out from their closet-hidden, freestanding towers and into the forefront.

1. Toledo
DESIGNER: Jorge Pensi
MANUFACTURER: Knoll
PRICE: $1,034 – 1,294
Dimensions: 21-5/8″W x 21-1/4″D x 29-7/8″H (17-1/2″ seat height)

“Barcelona architect and industrial designer Jorge Pensi brings his forward-looking aesthetic to KnollStudio with the Toledo chair,” reads the Knoll website of his inspiring stacker that can tower freestanding at up to four chairs high. An award-winning design made from a thermo-treated, polished cast-aluminum, this 100% recyclable design can be coupled with a seat cushion and used indoors or out to show off your eye for classic design.

2. Mila
MANUFACTURER: Cattelan Italia
PRICE: $260
Dimensions: 18.5″W x 22″D x 33.6″H (18.8″ seat height)

The Mila is a metal stacking chair by Cattelan Italian. Contained within its strong frame painted in chrome, white, or black, thin PVC strings of white or black stretch across both the back and seat. Both light in appearance and strong in structural integrity, the Mila is the ultimate of unassuming stackers for indoor/outdoor use.

3. Chair Chair
MANUFACTURER: Blu Dot
PRICE: $139- 169 (add Cozy Cozy for $39)
Dimensions: 32″H x 16″W x 20″D (18.5″ seat height)

Blu Dot says it best with their description of Chair Chair as “an unassuming take on the everyday side chair – good proportions, nice materials and a great price.” Retaining its strength atop a chrome-plated base, the slim lines of Chair Chair is available in a technical white oak, ebony, graphite-on-oak, ivory, upholstered black or upholstered chocolate leather alternative. And to add a little something special, add a dash of color and comfort with the Cozy Cozy back cushion in three different color options.

4. Reva
DESIGNER: Giovanni Baccolini
MANUFACTURER: Thonet
PRICE: $251 and up
Dimensions: 23.5″W x 21″D x 33″H (17″ seat height)

With a 13 gauge tubular steel and wire frame and a polypropylene plastic shell, the 1700 and 1710 versions of the Reva stacking chair come in many options that include an upholstered seat, armrests, leather, etc. Ideal for a custom designed aesthetic, the sleek design by Giovanni Baccolini for Thonet comes with a polished chrome body and can be stacked up to nine chairs high.

5. Cannon
MANUFACTURER: Beaufurn
PRICE: Available upon request
Dimensions: 32.75″H x 18.75″ W x 21″D (18.5″ seat height)

This all-weather checkerboard galvanized steel frame in a powder-coated black or aluminum finish makes the Cannon stacking chair stand out. It’s cubic cut-out pattern on the back and seat keep it simple and modern. To complete the look, opt for the Cannon Stk matching armchairs and Lore tables from Beaufurn.

6. Liberty Side
DESIGNER: Niels Diffrient
MANUFACTURER: Humanscale
PRICE: $490- 730
Dimensions: 24.75″W x 35.5″H x 17.5″D (18″ seat height)

Featuring the same exclusive Form-Sensing Mesh Technology and aluminum frame for “a perfect fit and customized support”, the ergonomic Liberty Side chair perfectly compliments the Liberty Task chair. Its pivoting backrest and the frameless front edge keeps it soft, not to mention it is constructed with 85% recycled content (49% post-consumer, 36% pre-consumer) to stay true to the sustainable, Humanscale experience.

7. Amanda
DESIGNER: Dondoli and Pocci
MANUFACTURER: Bonaldo
PRICE: $330
Dimensions: 20″W x 19″D x 33″H (19″ seat height)

This flexible stacker is made using chromium-plated or painted steel with a polycarbonate seat and backrest. It’s design was thought up by a duo of Italian designers – Claudio Dondoli and Marco Pocci – who met in Florence while working as faculty of architecture. Back in the late 80s, their industrial design partnership blossomed based on a mutual appreciation for technology and material innovation – falling in line with the goals of furniture manufacturer, Bonaldo.

8. 20-06 Aluminum
DESIGNER: Foster + Partners
MANUFACTURER: Emeco
PRICE: $440
Dimensions: 31.5″H x 18.5″W x 19.5″D (18″ seat height)

The Emeco’s classic 10-06 Navy Chair is considered an all-aluminium icon first made for submarines during WWII. Although its sister seat – the 20-06 Aluminum stacking chair – was designed by Foster + Partner over sixty years later, they state that “the DNA of Emeco’s first chair runs through 20-06, but this new chair belongs to the new century”. With the fire-proof, anodized finish, the 20-06 recycled aluminum chair holds up the Foster + Partners legacy as a stacking chair manufacturer.

9. Unix
DESIGNER: Antonio Citterio
MANUFACTURER: Vitra
PRICE: Available upon request
Dimensions: 22″W x 33.25″H x 23.25″D (15″ seat height)

Brand new in 2010 for Vitra, the Unix series of chairs by Antonio Citterio adds a bold, stackable chair to their line-up of office furnishings. As Vitra proudly states, “the Unix Chair is a real all-rounder for the office,” going on to describe the construction of its innovative padded mesh cover and various colour schemes that “look as at home in functionally purist office environments as it does in cosy and homey work areas.”

10. Lily 3208
DESIGNER: Arne Jacobsen
MANUFACTURER: Fritz Hansen
PRICE: $2,147
Dimensions: 25.2″ W x 20.5″D x 31.9″H (17.3″ seat height)

Designed out of steel and laminated wood back in 1970 by Arne Jacobsen, this classic stacker was an instant success made by Fritz Hansen in Denmark. The chair’s name may be known as “Lily” or as “3208”, but regardless of its title, the legacy of Jacobsen’s knack for curves shines through modestly with Lily’s curved back and arm rests of matching spacing.

Hope you enjoyed our roundup of the Top Ten of Metal-Based Stackers!

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