Designed to recreate the classic FBD furniture collection, the HAY J-Series offers a functional design born out of industrial development. FDB created a strong furniture concept in 1933, and under Børge Mogensen’s leadership as design director from 1942, the FDB furniture linked industrial production closely with architectural furniture design. The primary focus was not on detailing, but on making well-designed furniture accessible to the general population. The industrial approach eliminated the need for special components and all chairs featured identical legs. FDB revolutionised the industry as a precursor of many of the design icons that Denmark is acknowledged for today around the world.
HAY’s reproduction of Børge Mogensen’s classic J41 and J42 chair has a slightly slanted backrest and widely-spaced spindles creating an uncluttered design that offers a timeless quality. With a broad plywood seat and frame in solid oak or beech, the design is both hard-wearing and comfortable, the J42 has angular armrests.
Folke Pålsson’s spindle-back chair evokes memories for many people who have encountered this chair in homes all over Scandinavia. The chair sparks an immediate sense of nostalgic recognition, but HAY’s updated colour version J77 proves its contemporary value and relevance in the 21st century.
With its wide back and seat combined with the light, vertical graphic expression, J104 resembles a cross between a dining chair and an easy chair. In this unique composition, although the broad seat takes up visual space, the spindle structure of the back lightens the overall impression and makes J104 a sculptural classic.
With the comfort of a lounge chair and the functionality of a dining chair, HAY’s reproduction of Poul M. Voulter’s J110 offers equal measures of strong aesthetics and practicality. Long rods at the back and curved armrests create an inviting expression.
