Greg Whiddon Designs: March 2011

Paul Kjarholm - Hammock Chair 24

Poul Kjarholm was born in Oster Vra, Denmark in 1929. Kjarholm started work as an apprentice to a cabinet maker but soon decided to pursue his design ambitions. In 1952, Kjarholm enrolled in the Danish School of Arts and Craft in Copenhagen.
Graduating in the mid 50's, Kjarholm began working for a close friend, who also happened to be an entrepreneur. Through this friend Kjarholm designed and produced many works.
Kjarholm's most famous chairs are the Hammock Chair 24 (1965) and the Tulip Chair (1961). All of his pieces were named with consecutive numbers and his initials. This makes it easy to follow the progress of his work. (eg: PK11, PK24 etc)
The PK11 Dining Chair is a good example of the simple design principles Kjarholm embraced. The chair is constructed from rectangular steel pieces, simply welded together, a curved wooded back rest, and a leather upholstered cushion. This style, and use of simple steel framing is consistent throughout the majority of Kjarholm's works.

The Hammock Chair was also constructed using the same common steel frame style.
The frame itself is made up of 3 main components. The base frame (legs), the sub frame, and the main frame.
The base frame supports the sub frame via the adjusting bars. These are simple thin steel straps which fold around the sub frame and base frame. These also provide a degree of adjustment by sliding the sub frame along them.
The sub frame then supports the main frame. This is done via four small mounting points. The mounting points hold the mainframe 25mm off the sub frame which gives the chair an appearance like it is almost floating. From a side perspective, the thing frame construction, as well as the gaps between the multiple frames, gives the chair a very light and elegant look.
The mainframe is woven with cane to provide the main structure of the chair.
The headrest is made from a cylindrical cushion that is upholstered in Leather. This headrest is height adjustable because of its simple mounting. The headrest is suspended by leather straps that reach over the top of the chair to a steel counterweight. This simple and elegant method also adds to the Hammock Chairs appeal.