When first encountering Chair_ONE, there’s a sense of surprise. Its aluminum frame, formed from a mesh of triangular segments, resembles a technical or architectural structure more than a typical chair.
Introduced in 2004, Chair_ONE appeared at a time when design trends favored soft curves and seamless forms. With its sharp lines, fractured surfaces, and metal body, it stood apart from the dominant aesthetic of the moment.
But what might seem rigid at first glance reveals a careful balance of structure and the human form, of solid and void, of weight and lightness. The die-cast aluminum shell wasn’t conceived as an abstract shape. It was the result of a design process that began with ergonomics and led to a new way of thinking about the chair.
The project is the result of a collaboration between Konstantin Grcic and Magis, and it took several years to develop. Aluminum die-casting was an existing technology, but it had never been applied in this way to a piece of furniture. It required complex molds, a controlled industrial process, and a clear idea of what the outcome should be. The result is a chair unlike any other, one that has secured a place in homes, public spaces, and the permanent collections of design museums.
The seat’s geometry responds to very practical needs. The areas that support weight are more compact, while those under less stress are more open. The material is used precisely, without excess, only where it’s truly needed. This logic is evident not only in the form but also in how Chair_ONE is perceived: an object that feels light and essential, yet solid and dependable. Its comfort isn’t immediate like that of a padded chair, but it emerges through use, in the way the body gradually adapts to its structure.
To mark the twentieth anniversary of its launch, Magis has produced a limited edition of sixteen special pieces. Each chair retains the original aluminum shell, now finished in gold, which gives it an entirely different presence. The base, on the other hand, is made from raw lava stone sourced from the slopes of Mount Etna. It’s an unusual combination that turns the chair into something between a design object and a sculpture.
Eight of these pieces will be exhibited at the Royal Gardens of Venice from May 10 to 26, 2025, while the others are shown through a photographic series available on request.
Exhibition: Chair_ONE – 20th Anniversary
Dates: May 10–26, 2025
Location: Royal Gardens, St. Mark’s Square, Venice
Website: magisdesign.com
