Danish architect and industrial designer Steen Østergaard was decades ahead of his time with his futuristic Space Age designs. Through his innovative chairs, tables and other furniture, Østergaard elevated Scandinavian modern design during the mid-20th century.
Born in 1935, Østergaard studied furniture design and architecture at the School of Arts and Crafts in Copenhagen in 1957, graduating with honors in 1960. That same year, he won first prize in furniture design at the Danish Upholstery Guild’s annual awards, presented at Copenhagen’s Designmuseum Danmark.
From 1962 to 1965, Østergaard worked in the studio of revered furniture designer and architect Finn Juhl before establishing his own firm. Østergaard’s watershed moment came in 1968 when he created the iconic Cado 290 chair. Later produced in 1970 by Danish designer Poul Cadovius’s Cado company, the chair — a brilliant one-piece work of polyamide nylon reinforced with fiberglass by way of injection-molding — features an elegant form inspired by the stackable seats created by Danish designer Verner Panton, who started experimenting with the concept of single-piece plastic chairs in the late 1950s. However, unlike the revolutionary Panton chair, Østergaard’s design includes optional cushions that can be affixed directly onto the chair’s frame.
Another of Østergaard’s exemplary seating pieces is the President Meteor lounge chair designed in 1968 as part of Cado’s A-Line collection. The indoor and outdoor chair was originally produced in six colors — beige, brown, green, white, red and blue — and incorporates a molded plastic frame with a deep, upholstered seat. The lounge chair appeared in the original Star Trek television series and film Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan and was used at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.
Østergaard is also known for furnishings such as his molded plastic dining room chairs, patio and garden furniture and ergonomic club chairs. In 1981, he designed and constructed the first Action Recliner chair, which included a built-in footrest, a piece now replicated around the world.
Østergaard’s furniture has been featured in exhibitions throughout Europe and the United States, including at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Deutsches Museum in Munich and Designmuseum Danmark.
On 1stDibs, discover a range of vintage Steen Østergaard chairs and other furniture.
Space Age Vintage Red Plastic Dining Chairs Four Steen Ostergaard Denmark
By Steen Ostergaard
Located in Vienna, AT
Space Age four ( 4 ) red plastic vintage dining chairs designed by Steen Ostergaard 1966 for Cado Norway 1971. A set of wonderful red 4 ( four ) dining chairs from plastic with black...
Fabric, Plastic
Pair of Easy Chairs in Chromed Steel and Leather by Steen Østergaard, 1960's
By Steen Ostergaard
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Pair of Easy Chairs in Chromed Steel and Original Leather by Steen Østergaard, 1960's Additional Information: Material: Chromed steel and original leather Style: Mid century, Scandi...
Steel
Set of Four Steen Østergaard Model 291 Chairs
By Steen Ostergaard, Paul Cadobius
Located in Berkeley, CA
Origin: Denmark Designer: Steen Østergaard Manufacturer: Paul Cadovious Era: 1966 Materials: Plastic, wool Measurements: 33? wide x 37? deep x 36? tall Condition: Original plastic frame in good condition Restoration Includes: • Polish plastic frame • New custom upholstery...
Wool, Plastic
Steen Ostergaard Model 290 Pair of Red Chair for Cado, 1970
By Cado, Steen Ostergaard
Located in Munich, Bavaria
Steen Ostergaard model 290 red plastic stacking chairs manufactured by Cado, 1970. Set of 2. With some scratches and marks.
Plastic
Set of Three Steen Østergaard Model 291 Chairs
By Steen Ostergaard
Located in Berkeley, CA
Origin: Denmark Designer: Steen Østergaard Manufacturer: Paul Cadovious Era: 1966 Materials: Plastic, wool Measurements: 33? wide x 37? deep x 36...
Wool, Plastic
$3,630Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 29.14 in W 23.63 in D 15.75 in
Set of Four Red Cado Chairs, Steen Østergaard, 1974
By Ostergaard Steen
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Polish production chairs from Plastics Factory 'Krywald' in Knurow have embossed signatures. They come from the 1970s. The author of this project is the Danish architect Steen Østerg...
Plastic
$5,446 / set
H 29.14 in W 23.63 in D 15.75 in
Set of Four Mid Century Glossy Mint Green Cado Chairs, Steen Østergaard, 1974
By Ostergaard Steen
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Polish production chairs from Plastics Factory 'Krywald' in Knurow have embossed signatures. They come from the 1970s. The author of this project is the Danish architect Steen Østerg...
Plastic
$4,084 / set
H 29.53 in W 20.48 in D 17.72 in
Set of Four Mid Century Sea Blue Cado Chairs, Steen Østergaard, Europe, 1960s
By Ostergaard Steen
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Polish production chairs from Plastics Factory 'Krywald' in Knurow have embossed signatures. They come from the 70s. The author of this project is the Danish architect Steen Østergaa...
Plastic
$1,996Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 30.32 in W 20.08 in D 19.69 in
Set of 2 Harry Østergaard Model 61 Dining Chairs, Randers Møbelfabrik, Denmark
By Harry Østergaard
Located in Karis, Nyland
Fantastic pair of two dining chairs model 61 designed by Harry Østergaard and manufactured by Randers Mobelfabrik, Denmark, 1960s. The chairs have very nice characteristic, typical D...
Leather, Rosewood
$2,836 / set
H 29.14 in W 23.63 in D 15.75 in
Set of Four Black Glossy Cado Chairs, Steen Østergaard, 1974
By Ostergaard Steen
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Polish production chairs from Plastics Factory 'Krywald' in Knurow have embossed signatures. They come from the 1970s. The author of this project is the Danish architect Steen Østerg...
Plastic
$1,134 / item
H 29.14 in W 23.63 in D 15.75 in
Mid Century Glossy Orange Cado Chair, Steen Østergaard, 1974
By Ostergaard Steen
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Polish production chairs from Plastics Factory 'Krywald' in Knurow have embossed signatures. They come from the 1970s. The author of this project is the Danish architect Steen Østerg...
Plastic
Pair of Chrome and Leather Lounge Chairs
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Chrome and Leather Lounge Chairs, Italy, circa 1990s. They have a wide stance and a clean lined design. The leather appears black from certain angles, but is actually a very ...
Metal, Chrome
$2,496 / set
H 30.32 in W 18.12 in D 18.12 in
Set of four Scandinavian Danish dining chairs, Denmark, circa 1960
By Arne Vodder, Johannes Andersen
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Elegant set of four Scandinavian dining chairs by or in the style of Johannes Andersen / Eriksen Vestervig / Arne Vodder – Denmark, circa 1960. The chairs are reupholstered in a beau...
Velvet, Walnut
$7,840Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 30.32 in W 25.2 in D 21.26 in
Stunning Set of Four French 1960s Space Age Chairs
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Stunning Set of Four French 1960s Space Age Chairs, with heavy chrome-plated steel moon shaped base, professionally reupholstered in a chique met...
Chrome, Steel
$2,042 / set
H 29.53 in W 20.48 in D 17.72 in
Set of Two Black Mid Century Cado Chairs, Steen Østergaard, Europe, 1960s
By Ostergaard Steen
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Polish production chairs from Plastics Factory 'Krywald' in Knurow have embossed signatures. They come from the 1960s. The author of this project is the Danish architect Steen Østerg...
Plastic
Set of Four Marzio Cecchi Model 'S' Chairs, Italy
By Marzio Cecchi
Located in New York, NY
The famous model "S chair", an iconic and unique design by Marzio Cecchi for Studio Most in Italy, circa early 1970s. Made of wicker rope, the graceful and sculptural "S" form is sup...
Metal
$2,212 / set
H 30.32 in W 18.12 in D 19.69 in
Niels Otto Moller Set of 4 Dining Chairs Model-84 for Højbjerg, Denmark 1970s
By Højbjerg & Møller, Niels Otto Møller
Located in The Hague, NL
Mid Century Modern period set of 4 dining chairs designed by Niels Otto Møller in the 1970s and produced by J.L. Møller in Denmark. These chairs are made of solid beech wooden frame...
Fabric, Beech
$800 / set
H 30.375 in W 18.5 in D 19.5 in
Set of 4 Space Age Stacking Child Sized Red Casalino Chairs by Alexander Begge
By Alexander Begge, Casalino
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Four child-sized Casalino stacking chairs by Alexander Begge, produced in the 1970s. Each chair is molded from a single piece of red plastic, forming a continuous sculptural shape th...
Plastic
$3,176 / set
H 28.75 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
Eero Aarnio 4 Chairs Model Flamingo for Asko Finland Marked, 1970s
By Eero Aarnio
Located in Paris, IDF
A set of 4 Iconic "Flamingo" chairs by Eero Arnio for Asko Finland White painted wood , some paint chips see photos. Vintage yellow fabric. Bo...
Wood
$1,021 / item
H 29.53 in W 20.48 in D 17.72 in
Mid Century Red Cado Chair, Steen Østergaard, Europe, 1960s
By Ostergaard Steen
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Polish production chairs from Plastics Factory 'Krywald' in Knurow have embossed signatures. They come from the 70s. The author of this project is the Danish architect Steen Østergaa...
Plastic
Sold
H 31.5 in W 18.9 in D 18.12 in
Navy Blue Space Age Modo 290 Chairs by Steen Østergaard for Nielaus, Set of 4
By Nielaus, Steen Ostergaard
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
This set of four iconic Modo 290 cantilever chairs was designed by architect and designer Steen Østergaard in 1966. Modo 290 is a one-piece shell chair with a design that still exude...
Fabric, Plastic
Yellow Space Age Modo 290 Chair by Steen Østergaard for Nielaus
By Nielaus, Steen Ostergaard
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
This iconic Modo 290 cantilever chair was designed by architect and designer Steen Østergaard in 1966. It is a one-piece shell-shaped chair, with a form that still exudes futurism an...
Textile, Plastic
Sold
H 29.93 in W 20.48 in D 19.69 in
Set of 8 Dining Chairs, Reupholstered in White Bouclé, Steen Østergaard, 1960s
By Steen Ostergaard
Located in Odense, DK
This set of 8 dining chairs, originally designed by Steen Østergaard in 1966 is a stunning example of mid-century Danish design. The chairs feature a sleek, minimalist design, with c...
Bouclé, Plastic
Yellow Space Age Modo 290 Chair by Steen Østergaard for Nielaus
By Nielaus, Steen Ostergaard
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
This iconic Modo 290 cantilever chair was designed by architect and designer Steen Østergaard in 1966. It is a one-piece shell-shaped chair, with a form that still exudes futurism an...
Textile, Plastic
Sold
H 29.53 in W 20.48 in D 17.72 in
Mid-Century Modern Cantilever Chair by Steen Østergaard, Denmark
By Steen Ostergaard
Located in Roma, Lazio
Chair "Cantilever 290": solid cast plastic structure. May sometimes have a yellow or orange color cushion on the seat. Published by "Cado" in 1970. Published on: La cote du Design 1950. 1960. 1970. Activities: Own Design offices in Denmark, respectively England, Germany and France. Main activities – Furniture design – Industrial Design – Professional product development. Designer and inventor of worlds first chair injection moulded in one piece. Developer and designer of the first Action Recliner...
Velvet, Plastic
Sold
H 29.14 in W 23.63 in D 15.75 in
Set of 4 stackable Dining Chairs by Steen Østergaard for Cado, 1960s
By Steen Ostergaard
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Set of 4. Steen Ostergaard Cado period molded plastic all original stack chairs with original cushion in all original condition, rare and unusual...
Plastic