Arimn Wirth for Ph. Zieringe.

ARMIN WIRTH (Switzerland, 1903- 1992) for Ph. Zieringe.
Set of four "Alu lex" chairs, design 1951.
Black lacquered bentwood and aluminum frame.
They show some craquelure and one of the chairs shows a slight loss of paint on the back.
Measurements: 83 x 49 x 44 cm (x4).
The Aluflex chairs, conceived by Armin Wirth in 1951 for the Swiss firm Ph. Zieringer KG, are a paradigmatic example of the functional and rational design of the post-war period. This set of stacking chairs represents an optimal synthesis of structural lightness, essential comfort and economy of space, characteristics that made them a classic of modern furniture in the 1950s. Characterized by a sturdy aluminum tubular frame with a sleek profile, the Aluflex combines this metal structure with seats and backrests made of plywood, originally very thin, just a few millimeters thick, giving the set a visual lightness that complements its physical lightness. The design incorporates a folding seat mechanism that allows the chairs to be placed back-to-back for extremely compact storage, achieving remarkable space efficiency even in large quantities. Its design was recognized at the time with the "Die gute Form" award in 1953.
Armin Wirth was a designer and engineer whose career developed primarily in Switzerland, where his legacy was cemented in the design of functional, lightweight furniture with a modern aesthetic. Although his training was not the traditional one of an industrial designer. Throughout his career he worked in different fields of design, ranging from folding and stackable chairs to interior projects and other functional objects. His designs stand out for their balance between practicality and form, integrating ingenious solutions with a clear aesthetic and stripped of unnecessary ornamentation. Several of his pieces have won awards and have transcended their era, becoming benchmarks of modern European design in the mid-twentieth century.