The CH07 Shell Chair was designed by Hans J. Wegner in 1963 and reintroduced by Carl Hansen & Søn in 1998, following very limited initial production. When first unveiled, the design divided opinion — its wing-like upholstered seat and curved backrest, supported by three arched laminated legs, was considered ahead of its time. Mixed critical reception combined with the production limitations of the early 1960s meant the design was quietly retired after only a short run.
Its reintroduction over three decades later proved both the design's endurance and the extent to which it had simply been waiting for the right moment. A new generation of designers and architects responded immediately to its organic form and structural confidence. The seat and backrest are shaped from upholstered form-pressed veneer, providing a naturally contoured sit that envelops without constraining. The two front legs are formed from a single continuous element of laminated veneer, contributing to both structural integrity and visual lightness.
Wegner's guiding principle — that a chair should be beautiful from all sides, have no back side, and always be comfortable — is fully expressed in the Shell Chair. It works well as an accent piece in residential living spaces and is equally effective in hospitality and commercial interiors where a considered, characterful design presence is appropriate. Its distinctive silhouette reads clearly in plan and elevation, making it a useful element in presentation drawings as well as in built projects.
Available as a 2D DWG drawing and 3D model.