Transforming Pine Timber into Innovative Seating
In Stockholm, architect and designer Martin Labbé transforms standard pine timber into an innovative chair distinguished by its simplicity and precise craftsmanship. Without the use of screws or metal hardware, Labbé created this chair to serve a bustling gelato shop, turning 45 x 95 mm pine sections into a functional piece of art. The chair’s design foregrounds its construction, showcasing traditional mortise-and-tenon joints and wooden dowels.
Design that Emphasizes Structural Elegance
This unique chair was developed alongside a bar table to streamline the space of a compact gelato shop in Stockholm. During peak periods, queues can dominate the space, so Labbé’s design positions the bar along the wall to allow for unobstructed flow while offering customers a place to sit and enjoy their gelato. The chairs reflect the same structural principles as the bar, emphasizing the intrinsic beauty of basic construction lumber.
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Craftsmanship and Natural Finish
Labbé personally crafted each piece, meticulously sanding the pine before applying protective linseed oil. This finish preserves the wood’s natural grain and color variations, Keeping the chair closer to raw carpentry than polished industrial production. The design underlines the physical connections between the wooden components, relying solely on traditional joinery. This philosophy extends across a furniture collection that will be presented at the Stockholm Furniture Fair in February 2027.
The outcome is a chair that stands alone as a testament to extracting more value from less material—using a single timber section, a handful of joints, and no concealed hardware. Labbé’s approach encourages a reconsideration of ordinary materials, showcasing what can be achieved with a little more focus on craftsmanship.
A Celebration of Raw Material and Craft
The pine chair, part of the larger ‘Mesón y Silla’ collection, employs straightforward silhouettes defined by simple timber sections. Its traditional carpentry techniques craft pine into furniture that’s both sturdy and elegant, balancing the raw character of the wood with the precision of handmade joinery.
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By treating common construction lumber as finished furniture, the design celebrates the material’s innate qualities. The project demonstrates the potential of using readily available resources to create significant designs through meticulous craftsmanship and thoughtful design strategies.
The chair’s design isn’t just about aesthetics but a functional exploration of materials that champions simplicity and manual skill.
Sources & Links
Source: designboom.com
Frequently asked questions
How is Martin Labbé’s chair made?
Martin Labbé’s chair is made using traditional mortise-and-tenon joints and wooden dowels, without any screws or metal hardware.
What materials does Martin Labbé use for his chair?
The chair is crafted from standard pine timber, specifically 45 x 95 mm sections.
What finish is applied to the pine chair?
The pine is sanded and then a protective linseed oil is applied to preserve the natural grain and color variations of the wood.