Shell Lounge Square Chair in Natural Walnut with upholstery seat in leather

Niko developed the notion of using two plywood parts in the early 1950s, aiming to create an ergonomic ‘Lupina’ chair that formed a single, basic component. With various shapes, applications and frames, the concept has been used for decades in offices and homes as well as for public seating. Over time, the quintessential model, which we now refer to as Shell, has come to embody the most iconic approach to the concept of two folded pieces of wood. Its bold contour and smooth curves make this chair instantly recognisable and a pure design classic.

The designs of Niko Kralj (1920-2013) have served numerous generations. After the Second World War, traditional production methods gave way to modern inventions and led to a new era of furniture design. As a trained architect and an absolute pioneer in this field, Niko developed truly innovative pieces for the time and became one of the first ever industrial designers. It’s little wonder that fellow professionals are gradually recognising his work, which has been rewarded with permanent displays in design museums such as the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, Designmuseum Denmark and The International Design Museum Munich.