One of the Works of Eero Aarnio in the Present Furniture Design:The ExcellentFiberglass Ball Chair

One of the premium current furniture designers of all time, the Finnish creator Eero Aarnio is recognized all over the world for being a founder of fiberglass furniture. But of all of his works none would confirm to be as essential as his Ball Chair creation.

As its label indicates, the Ball Chair is a lounge chair formed like a ball. The chair’s body is built out of a hollow sphere completed from a fused fiberglass material of polymer and fine glass fibres. The chair’s composition made both lightweight and durable, and thanks to the fiberglass’ structure it was also fireproof. The chair is fixed with a funnel- fashioned base at the floor, and for relaxation the center is fixed with polyurethane cushions enclosed with intensely-colored fabric or leather. Early making runs of the Ball Chair were also incorporated with a bright red telephone at the side, although it is detached in present reproductions with some high-end models restoring it with more contemporary services for example iPod docks and liquid crystal display (LCD) screens.

The Ball Chair is completed by Aarnio’s in 1963 and is recognized as the model that jump-started his career. Ironically, Aarnio firstly finished the Ball Chair for himself, as his house had no big chair to speak of. A sample of the Ball chair was firstly done from plywood which in turn was apply in forming the final part from fiberglass in a progression parallel to that used in the manufacture of gliders and light aircraft works. After considering the constructive intuition from people that visited his house, Aarnio decided to show his design to the International Furniture Fair in Cologne, Germany. The chair became a first Ball Chair still keeps on in its place in Aarnio’s home, even if reproductions based on the chair’s design are being constructed.