NOVELTY
Thonet: S 243 by Frank Rettenbacher

Since the 1930s, tubular steel has been a defining feature of Thonet’s portfolio. Iconic chairs such as the cantilever chairs S 43 and S 33 by Mart Stam and the S 32 by Marcel Breuer are milestones of modern furniture design. The new chair S 243, designed by Frank Rettenbacher, continues this tradition. With a tubular steel frame and molded wood parts for the seat and back, it achieves a stylish and versatile result with minimal material usage. The S 243, presented at Orgatec 2024 in various versions and colors, is lightweight, stackable, and perfectly suited to today’s living and working environments.

The S 243 is a versatile all-rounder with a clear construction. The goal was to create a timeless, understated form that embodies Thonet as abrand. The challenge was to combine these features while ensuring the chair remains stackable. The result is a product that subtly references Thonet’s tubular steel history with a contemporary character and high recognition value. The S 243 reflects the agility and hybridity that furniture needs in today’s living and working environments. It expresses stability and design sovereignty, referencing Thonet’s tubular steel tradition without appearing nostalgic. Modularity was also an important aspect: all components of the S 243 are designed to be easily replaceable or interchangeable. This increases the chair’s longevity and underscores the company’s commitment to sustainability.

The S 243’s tubular steel frame references the cantilever chairs S 43, S 33, and S 32, which also have a tube diameter of 25 mm. Unlike the more vertical geometries of the classic cantilever frames, the new chair impresses with a more dynamic alignment of its four-legged frame, allowing for greater agility in room placement. The two statically more relevant rear legs have a larger tube diameter of 25 mm, while the front legs are slimmer at 18 mm. The front legs run visibly from the front of the chair to the connection with the rear legs, giving the chair its formal lightness. The molded wood seat units harmonize with the dimensions of the tubular steel frame, with the latter taking the design lead. Technical connecting elements are minimized: only the two rivets attaching the backrest to the rear legs are immediately noticeable.

The S 243 offers a wide range of applications, such as table seating in gastronomy, and also looks good in rows. Although its technical and visual features make it ideal for contract seating, its remarkably unobtrusive design also fits well into residential scenarios.