Classic of the present The Landi Chair occupies an important place in twentieth-century design history. The chair not only articulates a Swiss design philosophy characterised by reduction, functionality and precision. It also stands at the interface of classic modernism and organic forms of mid-century design. Despite its pioneering achievements, the Landi Chair still remains an insider tip beyond Switzerland's borders. Although represented in leading design collections worldwide and cherished by many designers and architects, it is lesser known among the broader public than the cheap imitations with perforated plastic shells, which have proliferated in gardens and terraces since the 1960s.
Seventy-five years after the Swiss National Exhibition in Zurich, new manufacturing methods have now made it possible to resume production in the original spirit and at a reasonable cost. Working together with Henriette Coray, Vitra has taken the Landi Chair back to the original shell form and detailing while simultaneously adapting it to today's standards.
Cover of brochure for P.&W. Blattmann, Wädenswil, 1959/60 Š Museum fßr Gestaltung, Zurich, Pro Litteris