Chairs, Chair Design and Chair Designers
Baan is a manufacturer of very good quality – made in Holland – chairs and couches, benches and sofa’s in Waddinxveen, the Netherlands. Recently I disposed of a wingchair they made more than 40 years ago to my measures (I used to be 6 foot 4). I believe I don’t even have a proper photo of the chair. I’ve never featured it here which is a shame. We had it re upholstered two times.
These days I’m considering to buy a new sofa. Maybe Baan’s Aviva is an idea.
It seems this chair is still or again in production. By Misura Emma in Italy. Moreover, since 2002 Swiss EMBRU produces it as well. I love it!
Dueacca Armchair by Franco Poli
In any case also found at 1stDibs
Who Is Franco Poli?
Born: Padua, Italy, in 1950.
Studied art and architecture in Venice, where he met luminaries like Isamu Noguchi and Buckminster Fuller
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.Early Career:
His first industrial design—an innovative piezoelectric lighter—was launched in 1974 and remained in production for decades
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.Professional Roles:
Served as Artistic Director at Bernini S.p.A. from 1979 to 2009
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.In 1986, he contributed to Poltrona Frau’s aerospace division and co-designed the “Forum” office seating collection
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.Academia & Influence:
Founded his own design studio in Venice.
Visiting professor at the International University for Art (Florence), CNR, and Politecnico di Milano
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.Taught design at the Venice Academy of Fine Arts from 1989 to 1996
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Archiproducts
.Advocacy & Community Building:
Played a key role in forming the A.D. Veneto and the Italian Chamber of Design, and helped establish a transnational Mediterranean design school in Reggio Calabria under the umbrella of CNAD
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.Recognition & Awards:
His “Flying” chair joined the permanent collection of the Denver Art Museum
FATTO AD ARTE
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.Works are part of prestigious institutions including the Fonds National d’Art Contemporain (Paris), Magma Museum (Roccamonfina), Farnesina Design collection (Rome), and Triennale Museum (Milan)
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.Awards include:
Chicago Athenaeum Good Design Awards (2005, 2007, 2011, 2014)
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.DesignX Australian Design Award (2007)
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.Honorable Mention at the XXI Compasso d’Oro for the LOOM chair by Matteograssi (2008)
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.Notable Projects:
Furnished key reception areas at the Venice Biennials of Art and Architecture between 2007 and 2010, including spaces like Le Bombarde and Caffè Italia
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.Summary
Franco Poli is a pivotal figure in modern Italian design—melding timeless aesthetics with practicality. From his early work in industrial objects to his leadership roles in design institutions and academia, he’s left a lasting mark. His designs have earned global recognition, both through prestigious awards and inclusion in renowned museum collections.
Carl Hansen reissued this chair in cooperation with Vilhelm Lauritzen Architekten Studio. Originally Vilhelm Lauritzen designed the chair together with Finn Juhl who then was employed by Lauritzen for the Radiohuset in Kopenhagen.
In 1921 Vilhelm Lauritzen founded today’s Vilhelm Lauritzen Arkitekten Studio shortly afer graduating from the Copenhagen Royal Academy of Architecture. After his peregrinations across Europe in the early 1920s, Lauritzen became influenced by Modernism and was an active agent in its introduction to Denmark. Lauritzen’s talent as an architect allowed him to use elements from the classical principles of architecture acquired from his studies and then combine these with his great attention to functionalism, light and form within his architectural commissions of the time.
The above elements are significant components in the architect’s work which are demonstrated within the prestigious and iconic commissions of the National Broadcasting Building Radiohuset (1936-1941) and the Copenhagen Airport terminal in Kastrup (1939). Lauritzen’s work on the Radiohuset was not limited to the structure of the building and with the architect Finn Juhl, an employee of the Vilhelm Lauritzen Arkitekten studio, they meticulously elaborated various elements of the interiors. Distinguished by the refined use of materials and exceptional craftsmanship the furnishings were beautifully executed by the master cabinetmaker Andreas Jeppe Iversen. Parallel to the functional rigour, the architect’s spontaneous and genuine inspiration is evident in the natural curves and elegance that characterise his sophisticated interiors.
(Not sure where I got this quote… ah after some thought and search i found it back: it was Pillips)
I found the photo’s at Nest, a UK interior shop. € 7,000.- plus for one chair is expensive indeed.
