The work of hella jongerius is an exercise in craft, color and form, as evidenced in her ‘east river chair’ for vitra. making its official debut at the 2014 salone del mobile, the seating object was originally conceived for the united nations north delegates’ lounge in new york which jongerius was involved in realizing. fusing high-tech and low-tech, with traditional and modern elements, the ‘east river chair’ offers a distinctive and casual combination of materials such as wood, metal, leather and fabric.

A design for the United Nations gave the Dutch designer the idea for a new lounge chair for Vitra, easy to move with its rear handle.

The colors of the East River Chair are carefully matched and very different looks can be created according to the combination. The practical leather cover also protects the arms from dirt and wear while the seat cushion, leaning on the back, offers comfortable support for the lumbar region. The armchair has been designed for flexible use, also in public places.

“In a lounge, a neutral space used for spontaneous and chance encounters, furniture takes on an important role in creating a lively setting” explains Hella Jongerius, who sees heavy furnishing as counter-productive.

“The most important thing for chatting in a relaxed atmosphere is a chair with a solid structure that is also light and easy to move, thanks to the handle on the rear of the back”.

· Material: Textile, leather, wood

designer: hella jongerius
producer: vitrai
introduced: 2014 milan design week
period: 2014