The 3300 series armchair was designed by Arne Jacobsen – the legendary Finnish modernist and an icon of 20th century architecture and design. Manufactured by the furniture company of the Republic Fritz Hansen, the armchair has been in continuous production since its introduction in 1956. Despite its considerable age, this timeless piece of furniture still looks extravagant and intriguing, making it a great, tasteful addition to any piece of furniture in a contemporary interior.
Story
The 3300 Series armchair was developed in 1956 along with a 2 and 3 seater sofa as part of the 3300 Series collection. The furniture collection was used to furnish the lobby of the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel in Copenhagen, along with the famous Egg, Swan and Drop chairs. The entire building, as well as its interior design and furnishings, were designed by Arne Jacobsen for the Scandinavian Airline System (SAS). While working on the hotel project, Jacobsen, who had previously worked as a landscape architect, pursued the theme of “modern garden”. The result was organic, oval shapes for the furniture that corresponded to Jacobsen’s concept. An exception is the 3300 collection, which features sharper geometric shapes. The series is rumored to be based on a sofa Jacobsen designed for his own home, making the connection between the collection and its designer more intimate and personal. Both the armchair and the sofas were enthusiastically received by audiences and critics alike. The entire collection is commercially available under the Republic of Fritz Hansen brand.
design
While many would certainly engage in polemics over the SAS Hotel’s questionable appeal, the design of the 3300 Series armchair leaves no room for such a discussion. Its innovative, futuristic design coupled with impeccable craftsmanship have given the chair a very special place in interior design history. In addition to its aesthetic qualities, the armchair is also fully functional and very comfortable. “Designophiles” would immediately notice the similarities between Jacobsen’s armchair and two other design classics: Le Corbusier’s LC2 Petit Modele armchair and Wegner’s CH101 lounge chair.
The 3300 series chair uses the outer, chrome-plated tubular frame that is similar to the frame of the LC2 chair mentioned above. The front legs of the chair consist of a single tube that also runs around the entire perimeter of the chair and supports the seat. The hind legs consist of two vertical tubes welded to the surrounding tube. All four legs feature glides and are joined together for added structural stability. The base ensures optical lightness and offers a balanced contrast to the spacious seat. The geometric shape of the armchair is simple and understated, yet elegant and refined. The 3300 series collection was designed to contrast with the organic shapes of the Egg, Swan and Drop chairs.
The shell of the armchair is made of wood, which is then covered with padding in cold-cured polyurethane foam. The armchair offers a high level of seating comfort and its deep seat allows the user to sit in a variety of positions. One can certainly conclude that the distinctive, trapezoidal armrests must have served as inspiration for the design of Hans J. Wegner’s famous lounge chair CH101. The upholstery is available in a wide range of fabrics including: Fame, Diablo, Remix, Tonus, Hallingdal, Steelcut, Steelcut Trio, Divina, Divina MD, Divina Melange, Comfort and Milani; and supple leather: basic, classic, rustic, natural, white, optical white, elegance and meaning.
The overall look of the armchair is extremely attractive and stylish. Even today, more than six decades after its presentation, when modernity is no longer an extravagant or radical concept, the armchair and the entire 3300 series collection have neither aged nor become banal. It still looks fresh and contemporary. An ideal chair for lounge or waiting areas and a tasteful addition to any modern home.
