The LC1 Sling Chair: Model of the International Style

None would probably be as dominant as that of the International style to that of all the incarnations of the modern design movement of the 20th century. The International style is characterized by the minimal application of shapes and materials, the overall lack of ornamental elements, and the harmony between function and style, is also known by the term “Bahaus” style (after a German design school of the same name). It was originally meant to describe architectural designs and the term was coined by the writers Philip Jackson and Henry Russell Hitchcock in their book about the 1932 International Exhibition of Modern Art. The style quickly transferred into furnishings because since most of the architects patronizing the International style are also furniture designers. The LC1 sling chair by Le Corbusier is one such example of an International Style furnishing.

The LC1 sling chair is a single-seat steel chair and one of the original models of International style furniture, Also known as the Basculant chair. Le Corbusier a Swiss-born French architect created the Basculant chair in 1928 and was also a pioneer in the modern architectural design. Le Corbusier, together with the collaboration of the designer Charlotte Perriand, they designed the sling chair as one of the furnishings for two of his other projects: the Maison la Roche and the Barbara and Henry Church pavilion. Along with Le Corbusier’s other furniture designs was exhibited at the prestigious Salon d’ Automne in 1929 the LC1 chair was later compiled into the LC1 collection.

Le Corbusier incorporated its characteristics in the LC1 both in construction and the aesthetic, a dedicated proponent of the International style. The chair is mainly composed of a tubular steel frame and of high quality leather upholstery. The chair frame is covered with a layer of protective chrome plating and is made rigid through a series of welds and strategically placed interior bolts. However, the upholstery is originally available in black and is made from fine leather.

There are two different characteristics that the LC1 has that are absent in most if not at all of the chairs made during that period. First, the back rest to tilt according to the occupant’s seating position and the sling chair has a movable rod at the back of the frame which allowed the seat. Second, the chair features made out of leather straps armrests sewn together. While providing it with ample support and comfort, this unconventional design allowed the arms to move freely