VNA CHAIR is a Stabelle, a chair made from planks inspired by traditional craftsmanship in the Alpine region. The name comes from a small mountain village in the Engadine, where designer Florian Hauswirth and ZEITRAUM met at the start of the project. In the mountain regions, everyday objects used to be made by local craftsmen or skilful farmers from locally available materials. Tables and chairs were made simply and solidly from planks and posts, sometimes decorated with ornaments.

The ALPENRAUM collection follows this logic, but is manufactured with precision using modern CNC technology. The comprehensible construction thematizes the „put together“, the penetration and merging. Contrasting and soft contours refer to the wood structure and combine to create a harmonious overall picture. The character of the chair, which has evolved from handcrafted production, has been transferred to industrial production. The „composite“ is transported into the present day.

VNA CHAIR is an honest and extremely comfortable chair, reduced to the essentials. The history of the Alpine region is evident, the shapes are inviting.

Material: Ash white oiled, ash colour stain
Surface: Impregnated with natural hardwax-oil | Ash colour stain: matt lacquered
Dimensions: h 87 cm, w 41 cm, d 49 cm | Seating h 46 cm

CATAS Test EN 1728:2012 Level 1–general

ALPENRAUM Collection

The Alps have their own special character, nature and man are in a direct relationship. The power of nature is present and tangible: extremes give rise to a microcosm. Plants cling to rocks and need little nourishment. The phases of the seasons are intense and barren. The lovely mountain flower defies the adversities of nature with its lightness. The essentials take centre stage.
Furniture for the Alpine region focuses on the conditions, materials and culture of the Alps. Appreciation, identity and a conscious use of resources lead to characteristic furniture, which was originally built and used directly on the mountain pastures.

In winter, when there was less work to be done in the countryside, there was time to make simple everyday objects. With the arrival of Alpine tourism from royal countries such as England at the turn of the century before last, elaborate and overloaded decorations were added to the wooden chairs, the so-called “Stabellen”, for the spa hotels.


From the idea to series production

The Stabelle is a typical chair of the Alpine region. In the Alpine region, there is an understanding of design that is not tied to nationalities; an environment that is characterised by nature. A chair with a backrest was assembled from planks and posts using the simplest of means. The legs and backrest are inserted into the stool-like seat.

The “VNA CHAIR” chair is based on this construction. It is made of 100 % high-quality solid wood and is produced with a minimum of glue and a single screw. The seat moulding and the soft edges of the backrest used to be carved by hand, whereas today state-of-the-art CNC technology is used to precisely reproduce these ornate details. The character of the chair is characterised by the handcrafted design language, which has been translated into industrial production, embodying a unique combination of traditional craftsmanship and modern technology.

The design thematises the “put together” as well as the penetration and merging. Contrasting and soft contours refer to the wood structure and create a harmonious image.

The name “Vna” refers to a Rhaeto-Romanic village in the Swiss mountains. To kick off the project, Florian Hauswirth and ZEITRAUM spent a few days in this village. They captured the nature in the mountains, the regional craftsmanship and the charisma of the place. This atmosphere is reflected in the ALPENRAUM collection.