Jasper Morrison, Plywood Chairs for Vitra

JASPER MORRISON (London, 1959) for Vitra.
Set of four Plywood Chairs, 1990s.
Birch plywood.
In good condition with signs of wear.
Measurements: 84 x 39.5 x 47 cm.

Jasper Morrison’s Plywood Chairs, designed between 1988 and 1989, are among the British designer’s earliest and most influential creations and represent a key work in the evolution of his “Super Normal” philosophy. Made entirely of birch plywood, with visible glue and screws, they stand out for their extremely simple construction, in which each element serves a structural function without any superfluous ornamentation. Morrison initially designed them for an exhibition in Berlin using only a jigsaw and curved templates, which explains the geometric purity of their forms. The side structure is formed from flat pieces cut from the sheet, while the seat—made from a thinner sheet and supported by slightly curved crossbars—flexes gently under the user’s weight, providing unexpected comfort despite its austere appearance. There are two main variants: one with an open backrest, which is visually very light, and another with a solid backrest, which offers greater comfort. In 1989, the chair was produced by Vitra, becoming Morrison’s first industrial design and an icon of contemporary design, admired for its structural integrity, its economy of materials, and its ability to demonstrate that true elegance lies in simplicity and functionality.

Jasper Morrison trained at the Royal College of Art in London and later continued his studies at the Berlin University of the Arts on a scholarship. After completing his education, he opened his own design studio in London in 1986. Morrison attracted attention for the conceptual clarity of his installations “Reuters News Center” (Documenta 8 in Kassel) and “Some New Items for the Home” (DAAD Gallery in Berlin), characterized by objects that were markedly simplified in form, as a response to the formal excesses of postmodernism. Through his work, he became a pioneer of “New Simplicity,” a movement that advocates for a humble yet more serious approach to design. In addition to furniture, Morrison designs lamps, home accessories, and textiles, as well as a tram for the city of Hanover and the bus station on the Vitra campus in Weil am Rhein. Along with Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec and Hella Jongerius, Morrison is one of the leading architects of Vitra Home, a constantly expanding collection.