S11

Designed in 1966, the S 11 chair was born from the desire to create a truly innovative piece of furniture using a pioneering technique: the “48×72” assembly method. The S 11 incorporates some of the technical elements of the S 10, such as interlocking joints and stretched leather panels that ensure the structure’s strength. The S 11 stands out, however, through the sophisticated aesthetic of its interlaced leather, which extends across the sides as well as the front and back of the chair, making the structure taller and more robust than that of the S 10. The technical complexity of the interwoven seat justifies the object’s visual balance as much as its functionality. With its substantial presence, the S 11 illustrates the wide range of forms made possible by the “48×72” system and fits seamlessly with nearly all Chapo tables and desks. The three visible “48×72” wooden elements at the chair’s corners, and the choice to present the “72” side facing forward, enhance the object’s stability and give it an architectural character. The S 11 is considered the first truly sculptural chair—a direction Pierre Chapo would continue to develop in his later designs.