Glider Chair

Lars Angaard Madsen · CLIENT: PlanAbacus

Glider is a lounge chair inspired by origami and by the lightness of a glider plane. The seat fold is shaped from a single rectangular sheet of 9 mm Merino wool felt. The flat stainless steel frame is bent from one piece and faceted to follow the geometry of the fold. A tubular cantilever base of chromium plated carbon steel provides balance and a gentle bounce. A custom hub and a flex bolt with an integrated O-ring form a flexible joint between frame and base. The seat cover can be replaced by the user, and the wide armrests add comfort.

Press Kit

Unique Properties

Glider Chair evokes images of a glider plane's aerodynamic lightness and memories of childish delight in folding a paper plane. Like origami, its basic elements are created solely through folding and bending. The focus of this project has been on ensuring a harmonious and intuitive expression, despite the chair's complexity. Made from 9 mm wool felt, the chair features a seat cover that users can easily replace themselves, potentially with a rug, highlighting the original folding principle.

Dimensions & Packaging

Width 780 mm, Depth 650 mm, Height 790 mm. Weight 22 kg. Seat fold made from 9 mm Merino wool felt. Cushion made from foam. Skeleton made from aluminium. Flat metal frame made from stainless steel. Hub made from stainless steel with small rubber inserts. Tubular cantilever base made from chromium plated carbon steel.

Tags

conceptual furniture, origami furniture, felt furniture, tubular cantilever chair, sheet metal furniture, lounge chair, magic carpet, rug, tassels, Superdesign Show 2025, Milano Design Week 2025, PlanAbacus, Angaard, Glider Chair, Beuys

Production Technology

Glider Chair is constructed through textile folding and precision-engineered metalwork, staying true to the origami-inspired concept. The seat-fold is shaped from a single rectangular sheet, the flat metal frame is bent from one piece and faceted to follow the fold’s geometry, and the tubular cantilever base provides balance and a gentle bounce. A custom Hub connects directly to the skeleton, and a Flex Bolt with an integrated O-ring creates a flexible, seamless joint between frame and base.

Design Challenge

Glider Chair is built around the tapered T-shape of the seat-fold, which demands unconventional design solutions for the chair's other parts, such as shaping the flat metal frame to follow the seat-fold as closely as possible so the chair's beauty is apparent from every angle, and designing the iconic Hub and special fittings such as the Flex Bolt to ensure strength and stability with the single rear support point. The cantilever base required its own extensive material and bending research.

Project Duration

The project began in 2009, when a paper model led to a three-week residency at the Danish Art Workshops to build the first prototype. Early versions in 4 mm grain leather explored self-supporting folding, but the design evolved as comfort and strength required a more traditional construction. The final prototype was completed in 2025 in Copenhagen and exhibited at Superdesign Show during Milano Design Week. Work now continues on a self-supporting metal mesh version.

Operation Flow

The chair fits, with its blend of geometric and organic elements, both traditional and modern spaces. The wide armrest adds the presence of a fully upholstered armchair, while the merino wool keeps the body at a comfortable temperature, is self-cleaning thanks to its natural lanolin, and provides sound-absorbing qualities. The cantilever offers a gentle, natural bounce. With tassels hanging from the front, the stage is set for an open, informal and playful conversation.

Research

Research focused on whether a folded sheet could form a self-supporting functional seat. Early tests in 4 mm grain leather explored stiffness, comfort and load, and used a Hub with a C-clamp to avoid perforation. These tests revealed the need for sheet inserts. Felt was later introduced for its aesthetic qualities and material flexibility, while the Hub evolved, now perforating the fabric. Current research includes conceptual studies toward a fully self-supporting metal mesh version.

Inspiration

Inspired by origami, the aim was to design a sculptural yet comfortable chair through uncompromising folding and bending. The Beuys Series references Joseph Beuys and his symbolic use of felt, while the forthcoming Hodja Series, crafted from rugs, draws on the Danish children's tale of Hodja and his flying carpet, fulfilling the idea of folding a rug into a chair.

Patents

International Registration Number: DM/078544
Date of the international registration: 21.03.2012
Designated Contracting Parties: Switzerland (CH), European Union (EM)
Bulletin No. 12/2017 - 31.03.2017
The "Glider Chair" has earlier been named "Flyverstol" (Danish translation) and "Glider A-52"

Press releases are available in 1 languages.