CR45 from Many Hands Design is a cantilevered chair made from steel rod and sash cord. Cantilever chairs are usually made from hollow tubing, or a larger stock of material. Ultimately, this means thicker lines, and a bulkier appearance. CR45 brings an elegant solution to this problem of aesthetics with its uniquely thin frame.
The name, CR45, is inspired by the type of chair, and its origin. CR stands for “cantilevered rod” referring to the most overt and unique characteristic of the design, and “45” is the country code for calling Denmark – where the first prototype was designed.
The chair’s design is influenced primarily by its material makeup. The solid steel stock and the hybrid cording both serve specific functional and aesthetic roles, each according to their inherent properties. The matte-black frame acts as the primary structure while the cording, with its nylon core for strength and a woven cotton exterior for comfort, directly contacts the user and translates the load to the frame. Visual contrast between the two highlights these functional considerations. CR45’s minimal palette of complimentary materials results in an piece that is easy understood and enjoyed.
Photography by Robert Bingaman