What first appeared as a monolithic statement in raw metal now emerges in a curated palette of black brown, white, beige, and vermillion – transforming Sabine Marcelis’ original Stedelijk Chair design into a new conversation about color and form. This evolution speaks to what the Rotterdam-based designer once described as her interest in form and materiality, where the material itself becomes both canvas and structure.
When the chair debuted at the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam in late 2024, it represented a departure for Marcelis – known primarily for her gradient-rich explorations in resin and glass. The original aluminum version celebrated material honesty through its singular silhouette. With the addition of color, BD Barcelona reconsiders how surface treatment can honor rather than obscure structural integrity.
The chair’s genesis within the museum context provides crucial insight into its design language. Commissioned for the Stedelijk’s entrance hall, sculpture gallery, and bar area – spaces reimagined by architect Paul Cournet – the chair needed to perform as both functional seating and a design object worthy of the museum’s curatorial legacy. This dual purpose reflects the ongoing dialogue between art and utility that has defined museum furniture.
The powder-coated finish represents more than aesthetic choice – it enhances the chair’s durability while maintaining its essential lightness. At roughly nine pounds, the chair retains its stackable functionality across all color variations, preserving its practical utility. The chair that once harmonized with the Stedelijk Museum’s clean modernist architecture now offers a broader vocabulary for integration into various interiors and outdoor settings.
For more information on the Stedelijk Chair by Sabine Marcelis for BD Barcelona, visit bdbarcelona.com.
Photography courtesy of BD Barcelona.