The Landi Chair, designed by Hans Coray, is among the best-known examples of early European aluminium furniture. It was the official chair of the Schweizerische Landesausstellung (Swiss national exhibition), also called "Landi", held in 1939 in Zurich. Corays design goal was to create ‘a vertical stacking chair made entirely of aluminium’.
The Swiss aluminium factory A.-G. supplied the material for producing the Landi, manufacturer P. & W. Blattmann became involved in the venture without having any previous experience creating chairs out of aluminium. In the end, they were able to produce Coray’s design without implementing any changes. The 1,500 chairs were produced and delivered punctually for the opening of the Landesausstellung and were placed in the outdoor area. After the conclusion of the exhibition, they were sold for 15 Swiss francs apiece. Straight from the factory the chair cost 28 francs, in keeping with the designer’s concept of an affordable product.
In the course of its history, the Landi underwent some changes. Around 1950, rubber feet made the chair appropriate for indoor use. Between 1962 and 1998, it was manufactured with 6 x 6 perforations instead of 7 x 7 to reduce costs. The fact that the chair is still on the market today is due to its outstanding qualities. It weighs about three kilograms, is weather-resistant, radiates heat, is stackable and comfortable, and has a reserved elegance. To this day it is considered an icon of Swiss modern design and was even depicted on a postage stamp in 2004.
Text: Adrian Luncke
