Pair of Beaubourg Chairs by Laurent and Cadestin, 1976

Pair of Original Leather and Steel Armchairs from the Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris

An iconic pair of Beaubourg chairs designed by Michel Cadestin and Georges Laurent in 1976 for the ground breaking Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris. One of the most revolutionary architectural achievements of the 20th century. These rare, original chairs are constructed from richly patinated brown leather and a distinctive latticed stainless steel frame, reflecting both the radical spirit of the building and the uncompromising craftsmanship of their creators.

The Centre Pompidou, designed by Richard Rogers and Renzo Piano, broke every convention of museum architecture. The building’s bold, inside out structure, with its exposed multicoloured pipes and visible skeleton, became a beacon of postmodern design. In anticipation of its opening in 1977, a design competition was held to furnish the museum’s public spaces, a process juried by none other than Jean Prouvé, one of France’s most revered industrial designers and architects. From this competition emerged the winning design by Cadestin and Laurent: the Beaubourg chair.

This pair, manufactured by Teda, reflects the same modernist ideals as the building itself. Functional yet visually striking. The chairs are defined by:

– Supple, original brown leather seating with age appropriate patina that highlights their authenticity and use in a public design setting
– A sculptural, grid like stainless steel frame, composed of intersecting rods and precision fastened joints, echoing the industrial character of the Pompidou’s architecture
– The use of metal studs to affix the seat to the frame, showcasing a utilitarian yet thoughtful construction method

These chairs were not simply furniture, they were part of the visual language of the Pompidou Centre, and like the museum, they stood at the crossroads of art, design and progressive architecture. Installed throughout the museum upon its inauguration, the chairs served both functional and aesthetic roles in one of the world’s most forward thinking cultural institutions. Though they have since been retired from active use, original examples remain highly sought after by collectors, historians and aficionados of radical design.

With their bold form and deep historic significance, Beaubourg chairs are now prized not only for their aesthetics but also for their association with the movement that redefined public spaces and design ideologies in the latter half of the 20th century.

For collectors of architectural design or anyone looking to introduce a rare, conversation starting piece with museum worthy provenance into their space, these Beaubourg chairs offer an unmatched combination of form, function and historical depth.