And what about the AA chair: a story of design, freedom, and precision?
- Apr 16
- 2 min read
In 1938, three young architects imagined a radically different armchair.
Jorge Ferrari-Hardoy, Antonio Bonet, and Juan Kurchan designed a piece that would become one of the most recognizable seats in modern design.
At the time, the furniture world was still characterized by heavy, often rigid structures. Their response was simple: lighten, free up, reduce.
The BKF armchair was born.
A silent revolution
The principle is almost disconcertingly simple.
A structure made of bent steel.
A hanging canvas. And nothing else.
This minimalist approach breaks with traditional furniture design. The armchair no longer imposes a posture; it accompanies the body. It becomes flexible, adaptable, almost instinctive.
It's not just a drawing.
It's a new way of sitting.
From Buenos Aires to Europe
Originally designed in Argentina, the chair quickly crossed borders.
It attracts attention due to its radical modernity and ease of production. In Europe, it finds fertile ground, particularly in France where it will be produced and distributed under the name AA chair by the Airborne company, starting in 1951.
This transition is not insignificant. It marks the shift from an experimental object to a recognized design piece.
Airborne, publisher of an icon
Since the 1950s, Airborne has been part of the history of the AA chair as a publisher.
The brand does not simply produce. It preserves an intention.
Respect for the original design, manufacturing requirements, and the ability to evolve materials without altering the structure.
It is this balance that allows the AA chair to remain true to itself while continuing to engage with its time.
A form that transcends time
Few parts can afford to remain almost unchanged for over 85 years.
The AA chair achieves this precisely because its form is essential. It does not depend on a style. It is based on a logic.
Three elements. A tension. A balance.
This formal language transcends trends.
An icon in motion
While the structure remains unchanged, the interpretations evolve.
Natural canvases, full-grain leathers, technical textiles, hides…Each variation brings a new interpretation of the armchair.
In a minimalist interior, it becomes graphic.
On a terrace, it becomes light and functional.
In an architect's project, it asserts itself as a signature.
The AA chair is not static. It transforms without ever betraying its core identity.
Heritage and modernity
The journey from BKF to the AA chair tells a rare story: the ability of an object to transcend time without losing its meaning.
It's not a question of style.
It's a question of accuracy.
A good drawing remains a good drawing.
And some ideas, when they are strong enough, do not need to be reinvented.
They simply continue to exist.
Since 1938. And still today.
How to recognize a genuine AA wheelchair
Our structures, made of steel wire or marine-grade stainless steel, are engraved with “AA” along with their year of manufacture. The welds are guaranteed for 2 years.
Each cover bears an “AA by Airborne” label, a signature of its authenticity.
