Born again
A relaunched Danish design classic has functionality and form down to a T
Originally designed in 1958, Ole Wanscher’s sculptural ‘OW58’ T-chair, with its characteristic T-shaped backrest and sinuous lines crafted from oak or walnut, is the latest addition to Carl Hansen’s offering of furniture created by giants of Danish design. Wanscher learned his craft under Kaare Klint, the father of modern Danish design, and his style embodies the movement perfectly, with discreet design details and functionality at the core of each piece. ‘Ole Wanscher had a knack for in-depth design,’ says Carl Hansen CEO Knud Erik Hansen. ‘He sought to find the ideal furniture constructions, which he then gave a more modern expression.’ Faithfully reproduced with a small height adjustment, the T-chair joins a wide collection of pieces by the designer in the Carl Hansen catalogue, including the ‘Colonial’ and ‘Beak’ chairs. Adds Hansen, ‘Wanscher considered furniture design as architecture, and the T-chair is a beautiful example of his focus on sleek, refined shapes.’