The cantilever chair S 533 combines timeless elegance with the comfort of an armchair.
Technology is transformed into furniture, and an eye-catching invention is transformed into a beautiful interior design product. Ludwig Mies van der Rohe was the first to give the cantilever chair a light aesthetic and use curved lines to tie it to its surroundings. Mies van der Rohe became acquainted with the notion of the cantilever chair courtesy to Mart Stam in the run-up to the Weissenhof Estate show, which he organised. Mies van der Rohe was not thrilled by Stam’s first use of this concept, as novel as it was.
In response to technological advancement, he developed his artistic solution, which he demonstrated in 1927. The S 533 is one of the first cantilever chairs. It’s massive, gracefully curved round tubular steel form defines the surrounding environment. The S 533 is distinguished by the use of intentionally limited materials, the beauty of its lines, and the clarity of its effect. Its outstanding comfort is due to its capacity to flex and adjust to different postures on the fly. While most early 1920s designs emphasise efficiency with a focus on simplicity, this armchair has Mies van der Rohe’s signature: the architect’s purposely opulent design mixes functionality, comfort, and timeless aesthetics. The S 533 reflects a shift in quality perception.
