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Designs for the 'Viking' range of chairs

Furniture Design
2nd May 1977 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The 'Viking' range of furniture was meant for use in a domestic setting. The designs for hi-tech tubular metal furniture, painted in bright 1970s colours, represented a complete departure from the traditional cosiness of British furnishings. The industrial look of the seating and tables (not shown here) fitted into the new mid-1970s fashion for converting industrial premises and warehouses into living spaces, where the old boundaries between domestic and workspace were being blurred.

This range was designed by G.P. Wood for Conran Associates, set up by Terence Conran. They designed and produced simple, cheap, well-made furniture for the modern, practical home. Conran also founded the Habitat chain, opening the first shop on the Fulham Road in 1964. Like much of Conran's furniture, this range was designed for both domestic and business use.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Titles
  • Designs for the 'Viking' range of chairs (generic title)
  • Tubular chairs (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Colour felt-tip pens and watercolour on paper
Brief description
One of 4 design drawings by G. P. Wood for Conran Associates, for the 'Viking' range of low bank contract seating units for Dual Furniture Ltd, Harrow. Great Britain, 1977.
Physical description
One of 4 design drawings for the 'Viking' range of low bank contract seating units for Dual Furniture Ltd, Harrow. Two sheets show the tubular steel chairs in either different finishes and colourways, a third shows the furniture used in a public setting, and a fourth in domestic surroundings. Inscribed and dated in pen: (c) 1977 Conran Associates.
Label on the back stamped with the name and address of the designers, and inscribed in type with job description and name of draughtsman, and dated 2nd May 1977. Size of sheet: 29.7 x 41.9 cm.
The drawings were made by G P Wood. The 'Viking' range was made up of a number of basic tubular steel components, so that chairs, sofas and tables could be fitted together or left free-standing as desired. It was designed to a brief for furniture suitable for either contract or domestic use.
Dimensions
  • Height: 29.6cm
  • Width: 41.8cm
Production typeDesign
Marks and inscriptions
© 1977 Conran Associates (bottom right corner)
Credit line
Given by the Artist
Production
Reason For Production: Retail
Subject depicted
Summary
The 'Viking' range of furniture was meant for use in a domestic setting. The designs for hi-tech tubular metal furniture, painted in bright 1970s colours, represented a complete departure from the traditional cosiness of British furnishings. The industrial look of the seating and tables (not shown here) fitted into the new mid-1970s fashion for converting industrial premises and warehouses into living spaces, where the old boundaries between domestic and workspace were being blurred.

This range was designed by G.P. Wood for Conran Associates, set up by Terence Conran. They designed and produced simple, cheap, well-made furniture for the modern, practical home. Conran also founded the Habitat chain, opening the first shop on the Fulham Road in 1964. Like much of Conran's furniture, this range was designed for both domestic and business use.
Collection
Accession number
E.1127-1979

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Record createdApril 25, 2005
Record URL
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