Striking a balance between respecting an original design while making it relevant for contemporary use is no mean feat. Discover two of Hans J. Wegner's designs that have been revived and adapted to today's standards without compromising on craftsmanship and aesthetics. 

Although he designed over 500 chairs in his lifetime, Hans J. Wegner created only a handful of swivel chairs, giving them a rare status in his portfolio. The CH621 Swivel Chair differs from Wegner's characteristic wooden frames by combining an industrial stainless steel frame with hand-upholstered details. With just a photograph for reference and unable to locate an original model to develop from, the product development team consulted Wegner’s family, running Wegner’s Design Studio, which, thanks to his meticulous record-keeping, located the original drawings of the chair from 1948. 

The CH621 Swivel Chair is the result of a thoughtful collaboration between the past and the present, where a fifth wheel, for stability reasons, has been added to the original four. In addition, a spindle has been replaced with a modern gas cylinder, making it easy to adjust the seat height. The result is an elegant, ergonomic design with industrial appeal that fits perfectly into modern office environments. 

Expanding Carl Hansen & Søn’s collection, the CH290 Series by Hans J. Wegner carries his straightforward signature style in rigorous carpentry details and relaxed, customisable upholstery. Designed in 1962, this robust series features a visible hardwood frame with dynamic legs and wide armrests, characteristic of Wegner. Comprising a 2 and 3-seater sofa, a low and high-backed lounge chair and a footstool, the series sits beautifully within the existing Carl Hansen & Søn collection, offering something new while remaining distinctly Wegner.

“It’s a very classic Wegner series, you can see his lines in it, and that’s why it fits so well into our collection.” - Knud Erik Hansen. 

The CH292 and CH293 sofas set themselves apart from others in the collection because of their distinctive, exposed wood frames.  

It was a conscious choice of Wegner’s to reveal the craftsmanship in the joinery, from the side rail that embraces the front of the seat cushion before tapering off to the slatted backrest, to the dynamically angled back legs and elegant, wide arm rests. In contrast to Wegner’s hallmark paper cord seat designs, the CH290 Series features soft upholstery with a classic expression, bringing warmth to the strict lines of its wooden frames. 

Taking on a collection that has already been in production meant that the process was fairly straightforward, as nothing too radical could be changed. Where a few angles went astray over the years, small adjustments were made to bring the shape of the designs back to the original drawings. Closer examination of the high-backed CH291 Lounge Chair revealed a rather complicated process in order to remove the cover of the neck cushion:  

“The top stretcher holding the neck-cushion was mounted with visible brass screws, and you had to disassemble the top of the chair to remove the cushion. We decided to simplify it by removing the brass screws and adding a hidden zipper to the cover for easy removal.” – Knud Erik Hansen 

The CH290 Series brings a warm versatility to living spaces, beautiful in their own right, while complementing the wider lounge collection.