The Hammock PK24 chaise
lounge chair, with its easy curves and organic shape, stands out as perhaps the
most recognisable chair in Poul Kjaerholm’s work. Poul Kjaerholm (1929-1980) was
among the most inventive of the mid-20th century Scandinavian modernists. Poul
Kjaerholm was a trained carpenter and continued his studies at the Danish
School of Arts and Crafts. Inspiration for this chair comes from the
Rococo period and the French chaise lounge. The chair is a major and tremendous
example of Kjaerholm’s principle of designing with independent
elements. Therefore, the chair has no physical connection between the main
parts, which are instead kept together by gravity and the friction between the
elements. Kjaerholm labelled the PK24 the “Hammock Chair” to stress that the
chair functioned by suspending the body between two points. The base of the
PK24 is in satin-brushed stainless steel, the seat is available in wicker and
leather, both versions includes a leather headrest.
Chaise lounge was designed by
Poul Kjaerholm and manufactured by Fritz Hansen. Seat and back are curved
on a steel frame covered with handwoven wicker or leather – they glide on the
frame thus adjusting to the desired position. Head cushion - covered in leather
and with a counterweight of stainless steel - is adjustable, optimising the
comfort and rest. The frame is stainless steel. Dimensions are from foot end to
head - 155cm Width - 67cm. Height from head to floor - 87cm Height from foot to
floor - 14cm. The leather model is upholstered in either Classic, Natural,
White, Optical white, and Elegance. Authorised dealers in Australia are
Corporate Culture Australia Ltd. They are located at 680 Elizabeth Street,
Melbourne. Starting price is from AUD $10,000.
This lounge is light, lean and portable. The PK24 is also remarkable for
Kjaerholm's sculptural treatment of stainless steel, a material that he
believed was as pliable and expressive as the wood favoured by other
Scandinavian designers.
