Nordic Quarters

Category: Product

Wood and brushed stainless steel give a sculptural elegance to the CH621 chair, originally designed by Hans J. Wegner in 1948 and now relaunched by Carl Hansen & Søn

Few designers mastered the balance between function and modernist elegance quite like Hans J. Wegner. Though he produced over 500 chairs, he designed only a select few with swivel mechanism, placing the CH621 among his most distinctive and sought-after creations.

Seventy-five years on, the chair still reads as distinctly modern. It embodies Wegner’s commitment to woodworking and craftsmanship, while also highlighting his interest in metalwork and the balance between both natural and engineered materials.

An early advocate for ergonomics, Wegner worked with doctors and physiologists to perfect posture, lumbar support and all-day comfort. His forward-thinking approach means the chair still feels perfectly suited to modern life and aligned with today’s working habits and needs.

Family-run Carl Hansen & Søn now brings the CH621, back into production, pairing a brushed stainless steel frame with an upholstered FSC-certified oak seat, back and armrests, which can be upholstered in a choice of leather or fabric options.

Height is adjusted via a subtle gas lift cylinder and lever mechanism, and the original four castors have been refined to five, ensuring stability and smooth movement. The custom castors, made of brushed steel, provide the finishing touch to the design’s industrial-inspired aesthetic.

The CH621 is offered in two timeless styles. One pairs FSC-certified oak finished in oil with Leather Sif 90, lending the chair a warm, cosy character. The second option combines the same oiled oak with Vidar 1062 upholstery, introducing a soft tactility that underscores the chair’s sculptural form.

Both variations honour Wegner’s material sensibility and are versatile enough for a variety of settings. From a dedicated home office or a professional workspace to a minimalist meeting area, the CH621 brings comfort and elegance wherever it is placed.

Staying true to Wegner’s ethos, Carl Hansen & Søn has reintroduced a chair that will be loved by many for generations to come. Every curve and detail reflects Wegner’s meticulous attention to materials and ergonomics and his belief that furniture should be both beautiful and comfortable, making the CH621 as relevant in interiors now as it was over 75 years ago.

carlhansen.com

Photography courtesy of Carl Hansen & Søn