Chairs

Functionalism serves as a guideline to create objects that are reasonable, meaning that they are devoid of frivolous features and are broken down to include only what is necessary to perform the function it is intended to. This can suggest a bland design with no attention given to expression, style or interest. I have found five examples from the Arts and Crafts movement to modern day that uses the guidelines of functionalism and convey expression, style and interest.

The Argyle chair by Charles Rennie Mackintosh is simple elegant and geometric. Unlike most of the other functionalist furniture of the Arts and Crafts movement the Argyle chair does not appear heavy and blocky. The dark oak pieces appear to be solid and sturdy in the back legs and chair back, but still light and delicate in the front legs and braces.

The Standard Chair by Jean Prouve is made of metal and wood. The rounded wooden forms contrast the painted metal legs make this chair interesting. Also the unique triangular back legs give the chair a unique look. It was designed to be practical and durable but in no way sacrifices originality.

The Zig-Zag chair by Gerrit Rietveld gets rid of the legs and breaks down the chair into simple flat planes. Unlike any chair that was built before it the Zig-Zag chair was incredibly innovative yet did not lose its functionality taking up very little space and being stackable.

Castiglione saw tractor seats as an object that had been refined to be the perfect seat, so to make it a formal chair he designed chrome plated steel and beech stand to be flexible and comfortable. There are no unnecessary elements to this chair but through a careful choice of materials the chair is able to tell a story.

The Myto Chair by Konstantin Grcic is made as a single part in an injection mold. The material and production method influenced the form. The mesh patterning on the seat and back allow for ventilation and are also crucial for the manufacturing process.

Functionalism is the reigning style today. In high design and in cheap manufactured goods, most objects abide by the rules of functionalism. It has become the standard the consumers expect for reasonable cost and performance.