naoto fukasawa portrait © designboom

japanese designer naoto fukasawa has designed the new ‘130 chair’ series for thonet, drawing not on the form, but the attitude behind the classic bentwood chairs of the company. the ‘130’ series are solid-wood chairs and armchairs that are available in plain wood – either in beech or oak – and are available with padded seats, or with fully upholstered seats and backrests.

‘first, I perceived these chairs as design classics. but then I realized that their main quality lies in their sustainability and environmental friendliness: there is no material wastage, and the chairs are very lightweight.(…) … I have tried to base my designs for thonet on the same philosophy. I wanted to create something very simple, something uncomplicated for thonet.‘ – NF

the ‘130’ chairs complement fukasawa’s ‘1130 table’ which he previously designed for thonet. they were both on show at the fairgrounds in milan during design week 2010.

naoto fukasawa: 130 chair for thonet‘130’ chairs image © designboom

naoto fukasawa: 130 chair for thonet‘130’ chairs image © designboom

naoto fukasawa: 130 chair for thonet‘130’ chair with upholstered backrest and seat image © designboom

naoto fukasawa: 130 chair for thonet image © designboom

naoto fukasawa: 130 chair for thonetimage © designboom

naoto fukasawa: 130 chair for thonetfront view

naoto fukasawa: 130 chair for thonetback view

naoto fukasawa: 130 chair for thonet on the ceiling of the thonet booth was an installation of the ‘130 chairs and ‘1130’ table by naoto fukasawa image © designboom

naoto fukasawa: 130 chair for thonet up close of the installation image © designboom