Milan (MI), Italy
Finnish designer Liisi Beckmann’s (1924-2004) playful and whimsical non-conformist armchair of the Sixties and symbol of Finland’s freedom, the Karelia Armchair, has been put back into production by Italian furniture manufacturer Zanotta.
The Karelia Armchair won a historic Good Design Award in 1969.
One of the first frameless armchairs ever conceived is now made entirely of 100% polyurethane foam by Zanotta.
The soft, wave-like surface draws inspiration from the designer’s homeland, the Republic of Karelia in Finland on the Baltic Sea, indented by bays and gulfs.
The new fabric upholstery in bright, iridescent colours replaces the vinyl of the 1970s.
The curves of the armchair are enhanced by the new removable cover in a bioelastic Samba fabric with diagonal weave and outstanding technical performance: it fits the body of the seat perfectly, following the deformation and the reshaping of the object
Iridescent and contemporary in its colour choices, the fabric produces a strong colour variation given by movement and light.
The re-edition has improved comfort in the lumbar area thanks to a double-density polyurethane and has been updated in terms of size by slightly enlarging the chair.
In addition, two or more modules can now be joined together with hooks on the feet to create a continuous undulating seat.
Project: Karelia Armchair
Designers: Liisi Beckmann
Manufacturer: Zanotta SpA
