Gillis Lundgren for Ikea

GILLIS LUNDGREN (Sweden 1929-2016) for Ikea.
Armchair "Sirius", 1970.
Fiberglass, chromed metal and fabric upholstery.
Work referenced in Andreas Siesing's book, in "Swedish Furniture of the 1970s", Lindelöws bokförlag, Gothenburg, 2021, p. 85 and the cover of the 1971 Ikea catalog.
With swivel foot.
Measurements: 85 x 60 x 60 cm.
This vintage "Space Age" armchair model Sirius is presented as an emblematic piece of 1970s Scandinavian design, in which functionality, technical innovation and futuristic aesthetics converge in an exemplary way. Conceived by Gillis Lundgren, a key figure in the democratization of modern design, the object embodies the experimental spirit of an era marked by fascination with the future, technology and the conquest of space.
From a formal point of view, the armchair stands out for its enveloping structure in white lacquered fiberglass, a material that in those years was associated with modernity and advanced industrial production. This rigid shell, with its smooth, rounded lines, generates a sense of capsule or shelter, directly evoking the imaginary "Space Age". The metal swivel base reinforces its functional and dynamic character, allowing a freer interaction with the environment. The Sirius armchair is part of an international trend that, during the 1960s and 1970s, explored new forms and materials inspired by the space age. Designers and architects adopted molded plastics, resins and synthetic fibers to create furniture that broke with traditional craftsmanship. In this context, Sweden played a leading role in combining these innovations with its functionalist heritage, inherited from movements such as Nordic modernism.
Gillis Lundgren (1929-2016) was an early member of IKEA and a key figure in its development. Trained in art and drawing, he began collaborating on the company's catalog alongside Ingvar Kamprad and soon became advertising director and designer.Throughout his career he created more than 400 products, standing out for his ingenuity and ability to transform ideas into practical solutions. Among his best-known designs is the Billy bookcase, one of the brand's greatest successes. His work was instrumental in defining the accessible, functional and modern style that characterizes IKEA.