A chair designed by a 94-year-old, currently active designer
As of 2023, he is a 94-year-old Danish designer who is still active.
Kai Kristiansen
He started working in furniture manufacturing at the young age of 18, and after studying at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts,
At just 26 years old, he opened his own design shop.
He has been making furniture for over half a century, 76 years, and this is not only his masterpiece but also one of the masterpieces of Scandinavian furniture.
Introducing "No 42 / #42 (Z Chair)"
Respect for the Master and My Own Beliefs
After completing his furniture-making apprenticeship, Christiansen studied under Kaare Klint at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts.
Clint had a design philosophy that made use of classic and traditional furniture shapes and techniques.
Christiansen respects and sincerely studies his philosophy and teachings, but at the same time,
He is said to have brought a breath of fresh air to the furniture industry by designing furniture that was ergonomic, functional, and highly productive at the same time.
Beauty is not just about looks
The reason why No42/#42 came to be called the "Z Chair" is because of the unique feature of this chair.
The name has come to be familiar to many because the connection from the back to the arm resembles the letter Z.
The backrest is adjustable and moves with the person sitting, allowing them to sit comfortably for long periods of time.
The Z chair was born not only from a focus on beautiful design, but also from an extraordinary talent for exploring comfort.
The original chair from when it was first created is here
Christiansen has spent his whole life thinking about furniture
Simpler, more functional, and more beautiful.
The current Z chair is still on sale, but here is his original vintage chair, which has been around for over half a century.
At this very moment, when he is in a faraway Nordic land, I am sitting in a chair that he made over 70 years ago.
It seems as if he is feeling the feelings he had at the time, and the mixture of kindness and passion.
What a strange feeling
Such a valuable experience can only be had with genuine Nordic vintage furniture.
No, I would say that this can only be experienced with the Z chair.
