Pedersen Lounge Chairs
August 3rd, 2021 Written by: Bernhardt Design
New York , NY
Pushing the boundaries of technology to create eclectic, innovative designs for contemporary environments, Thomas Pedersen makes his American debut with the Pedersen lounge chair for Bernhardt Design. Pedersenstrives to blend experimental ideas with exceptional ergonomics to develop the best possible solutions. The Danish designer first gained international recognition in 2008 with his Stingray chair, which has since become a staple in design museums globally. The production process for Stingray involved using the world’s largest the 3D veneer press to create the remarkable organic rocking chair.Subsequently, he has designed notable furniture for a number of leading European companies
With his latest accomplishment, Pedersen once again taps into elements from Denmark’s natural coastline as a source of inspiration. Combining those fundamental inspirations with a passion for innovation and minimalism, the eponymous lounge chair follows the path of his iconic Stingray, but from a more discreet and restrained perspective. For years he has been working on simplifying the 3Dveneer chairwhile maintaining its distinctive character – practicing the art of finding that perfect balance. The journey eventually evolved into the Pedersen lounge, a three-legged chair which is a striking, sculptural object andincredibly comfortable.
Pedersen states, “The first lines and ideas for the chair date back a decade and originatefrom what I learned indeveloping the Stingray. The first prototypes for the Pedersen lounge actually used the Stingray shell.This long process was a matter of reduction and constantly striving for the perfect simple shape and beautiful lines.”
Jerry Helling, President of Bernhardt Design remarks, “The entire process was about creating another icon that integrates well with diverse design languages and works harmoniously in thetype of spaces people are creating today. The chair is definitely iconic and hasa youthful appearance, but it blends beautifully with contemporary, transitional andresidential furniture. The first time I saw a rendering of the chair I wanted it – even if it were uncomfortable andexpensive. It was a pleasant surprise and a great relief to discover this graceful sculpture was amazingly comfortable and affordable.”
“Inspired by an open seashell, the chair beckons you to sit down and then provides a sense of well-being. Designed with the human body in mind for universal comfort regardless of a person’s size, the design in its purest form works well ergonomically.At the end of the day, Pedersen is most certainly a chair that maintains a minimalistic Nordic look and feel,” adds Helling.
The Pedersen lounge chair isavailable in Oak or Walnut. The wood finishes range from clear oak and natural walnutto matte ebony and a rainbow of finish colors in between. Four metal base options include: copper chrome, polished chrome, black chrome and matte black.
ABOUT THOMAS PEDERSEN
Thomas Pedersen graduated from Aarhus School of Architecture in Denmark in 2002 and set up the SPARK by Thomas Pedersen later the same year. Pedersen’s designs display typical Danish characteristics, with a clear emphasis on simplicity. He combines classic organic lines with innovative ideas and details. Much of his fascination for furniture design derives from the fact that it is possible to build full-scale models of the concepts he has in his head. He is firmly convinced that it is only by doing this that it is possible to test the qualities of his products with his own body, to assess their durability and thus make certain that the results live up to expectations
Among Pedersen’s role models in this context are Charles and Ray Eames, whose furniture design work was always dedicated to ergonomically and comfortably accommodating the human body. Over the years Thomas Pedersen has won a number of awards for his designs. He is best known for his Stingray chair, which he designed as his graduation project in Aarhus
ABOUT BERNHARDT DESIGN
Bernhardt Design was founded in 1980 by the 129-year-old Bernhardt Furniture Company and continues to be a leader and innovator in furniture design and production. During the past 15 years, President Jerry Helling has assembled an extraordinary creative team that has positioned Bernhardt Design as one of the leading international design companies with a roster of talent that includes: Ross Lovegrove (London), Arik Levy (Paris), Jaime Hayon (Barcelona), Yves Béhar (San Francisco), Patrick Jouin (Paris), Fabien Baron (New York), Monica Förster (Stockholm), CuldeSac (Valencia), Suzanne Trocmé (London), Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance (Paris), Jeffrey Bernett (New York), Charles Pollock (New York), Claudia and Harry Washington (San Salvador), Anabela Chan (London), Océane Delain (Paris), Joe Gebbia (San Francisco), Tift Merritt (Raleigh), and Terry Crews (Los Angeles).
Setting a precedent for leadership within the corporate community, Bernhardt Design founded and annually sponsors an interdisciplinary course with the world-renowned Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, challenging students to create world-class designs for mass production. The company also sponsors the ICFF Studio, a scholarship program that provides emerging design talent exposure to manufacturers, retailers and media from around the world.
American Design Honors, an annual award to recognize the most noteworthy American designers, was established by Bernhardt Design in 2010. Internationally, Bernhardt Design supports young designer through their sponsorship of The Carrot Concept, a cooperative conceived to advance the design profession in El Salvador, and America Made Me, a program to promote new brands and young American design talent abroad.
As a founding member of Be Original, Bernhardt Design is committed to the importance of preserving original design through education and informational programming
