As far as designer star power goes, the Beaubourg chair just may top the list for its contributors.
First conceived by prizewinning architects Richard Rogers and Renzo Piano in the early 1970s for the Centre Pompidou, the pair’s groundbreaking modern art museum and event space in Paris, the chair design was ultimately completed by Michel Cadestin (b. 1942) and Georges Laurent (1886–1964). The work was crowned the winner of a competition judged by none other than the legendary French metalworker and designer Jean Prouvé, himself no stranger to revered furniture pieces.
The final Beaubourg chair design, first produced in 1976 by Teda and named for the Centre Pompidou’s neighborhood (and the museum project’s working title), marries a supple leather seat and back with a frame of latticed stainless steel, joined together with simple metal studs. The metal form echoes the skeletal architecture of the Pompidou itself — the “inside-out” appearance of which, with its arrangement of multicolored pipes and electrical components positioned prominently on the building’s exterior, caused a wide range of reactions in Paris and in the design and architecture communities at large. National Geographic, for its part, famously claimed the building elicited “love at second sight,”' while a critic at The Guardian called it “hideous.”
In addition to the Beaubourg chair, Laurent and Cadestin devised a bench version in the 1970s. Both models were installed in the Centre Pompidou at its opening in 1977 but have since been replaced throughout the museum. No longer in production, the chairs live on as popular collector’s items, significant for both their distinctive design and their indelible connection to one of the most important buildings of postmodernism.
'Karate' set by Michel Cadestin for Airborne, France 1970's
By Michel Cadestin
Located in Brussels, BE
This Living room set is totally reupholstered in a nice Rusty Mustard bouclé, enhancing its confort and warmness wich associated to its space age shell keeps the authenticity of vint...
Bouclé, Fiberglass
Beaubourg Office Chair by Michel Cadestin & Georges Laurent, France, 1970s
By Teda, Georges Laurent, Michel Cadestin
Located in Antwerp, BE
A scarce architectural desk chair designed by Michel Cadestin with Georges Laurent for the Beaubourg (Centre Pompidou) project. Conceived in 1976–77 for the Pompidou Library’s staff,...
Steel
Beaubourg chair by Michel Cadestin and Georges Laurent
By Michel Cadestin
Located in Paris, FR
Latticework seat from the Centre Georges Pompidou exhibition rooms
Steel, Stainless Steel
Beaubourg Trellis seating from the Centre Georges Pompidou
By Michel Cadestin, Georges Laurent
Located in Paris, FR
enameled steel, zinc-plated steel, leather Trellis seats from the exhibition rooms at the Centre Georges Pompidou 80 x 231 x 53 cm 31.5 x 90.94 x 20.87 in 1977
Steel
Chair Beaubourg, Michel Cadestin & Georges Laurent for the Centre Pompidou
By Georges Laurent, Michel Cadestin
Located in Hyères, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
a chair from the house of many names: in germany usually called „centre pompidou“, among the french also known as „centre beaubourg“, officially the „centre national d’art et de cult...
Metal
$3,040Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 35.44 in W 37.41 in D 39.38 in
Space Age Mohair “Orchidée” Lounge Chairs Michel Cadestin, Airborne, France 1968
By Michel Cadestin, Airborne International
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Luxurious Mohair velvet upholstered Orchidée "lady & senior" lounge chairs by Michel Cadestin for Airborne International, France, 1968 “Orchidée” was one of the Cadestin models that were ordered by the Centre Pompidou Museum in Paris We fully restored these chairs with high quality 100% mohair wool velvet fabric "Musco" by De Ploeg In this process we preserved the old and original Airborne marked old upholstery from under the cushions and used it again The large model has 4 caster wheels to move the chair around in a space About the designer: Michel Cadestin was born in France in 1942. He is an interior designer and architect and through his work, he wishes to offer a functional and fun design accessible to the majority. A prolific designer, he has experienced with diverse forms and materials during his career. His creations are varied as evidenced by the furniture intended for the Center Georges Pompidou, such as the Karate armchair...
Mohair, Foam, Fiberglass
$4,600 / set
H 33.75 in W 36 in D 38.5 in
Orchidee Lounge Chairs and Ottoman by Michel Cadestin for Airborne, France 1968
By Michel Cadestin
Located in Chicago, IL
Orchidee Lounge Chairs by Michel Cadestin for Airborne, France 1968. Original upholstery is excellent condition. Sofa sold in separate ...
Upholstery
$22,820Sale Price / set|35% Off
H 27.96 in W 36.62 in D 37.8 in
Set of 8 Camaleonda Sittings Designed by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia, 1970
By C&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Set of modular armchairs and poufs in brown corduroy, mod. Camaleonda designed by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia in 1970. The set consists of 8 elements: - 5 armchairs (cm 71H x 65...
Metal
$28,086 / set
H 27.96 in W 36.62 in D 37.8 in
Set of 7 Camaleonda Sittings Designed by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia, 1970
By C&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Set of modular armchairs and poufs in brown corduroy, mod. Camaleonda designed by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia in 1970. The set consists of 7 elements: - 4 armchairs ( cm 71 H x ...
Metal
$800
H 33 in W 19 in D 18 in
MCM Soft Pad Office Chair by Herman Miller, Leather, Chrome, USA, c. 1970s
By Herman Miller
Located in Rancho Cucamonga, CA
A distinctive office chair in the mid-century modern tradition, crafted from leather and showcasing ergonomic design with a polished aluminum base. This piece blends timeless Eames d...
Aluminum
$468
H 29.14 in W 22.45 in D 20.87 in
Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Green "Modus" Office Chair, Italy 1970s
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Naples, IT
Designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno in the 1970s, this swivel office chair consists of a green plastic shell covered in green fabric on the seat and back, together with an aluminiu...
Aluminum, Steel
$880 / set
H 35.83 in W 27.17 in D 28.35 in
Fröscher Office Chairs by Burkhard Vogtherr, Cognac Leather, 1970s
By Burkhard Vogtherr, Fröscher Sitform
Located in Ludwigslust, DE
This set of two Fröscher office chairs was designed by Burkhard Vogtherr in the 1970s and manufactured in the early 1980s. Featuring warm cognac-colored leather and black fiberglass ...
Leather
$2,580Sale Price|30% Off
H 31.5 in W 27.56 in D 33.47 in
Goldfinger Armchair by Michel Cadestin, Fiberglass & Steel, France
By Michel Cadestin
Located in Valladolid, ES
Amazing Goldfinger armchair, made of fiberglass and a chrome-plated steel base, with a khaki upholstered cushion and thick boucle. Its design is inspired by the works of Michel Cade...
Steel
Italian modern office chair by Ico Parisi for MiM, 1970s
By MIM Roma, Ico Parisi
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern office chair by Ico Parisi for MiM, 1970s Office chair or armchair with padded seat and backrest, upholstered in brown leather with a wooden frame. The four-spoke meta...
Metal
Set of 4 - Jean Michel Frank Chairs by Holly Hunt
By (after) Jean Michel Frank
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Beautiful set of four Jean Michel Frank chairs made in France by Ecart and distributed in America by Holly Hunt Original retail price was aro...
Leather
Molteni & C ‘Mix’ Office Chair by Afra and Tobia Scarpa, 1970s
By Molteni & C, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in CULEMBORG, GE
Designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Molteni in 1975, the quirky mix chair was originally designed for executive offices and conference rooms. This extremel...
Steel
Modular Postmodern Seating System, Italy, 1980s
Located in Antwerp, BE
This modular seating system embodies the experimental character of Italian postmodern design of the 1980s, combining functional adaptability with strong geometric presence. Individua...
Metal
Michel Cadestin: Beaubourg Bench with 4 Seats, 1974
By Michel Cadestin
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
Imagine bringing the essence of a museum into your very own home. The Beaubourg bench, originally designed for the prestigious Centre Pompidou in Paris, offers you that opportuni...
Metal
Sold
H 31.11 in W 18.9 in D 20.08 in
Beaubourg Chairs in Metal and Saddle Leather, France 1976, Set of Four
By Michel Cadestin, Georges Laurent
Located in Rotterdam, ZH
Set of four 'Beaubourg' chairs by Michel Cadestin & Georges Laurent, France 1976. Iconic chairs designed for the famous Centre Pompidou in Paris. The galvanized metal frame makes a s...
Metal
Sold
H 30 in W 20 in D 19.5 in
Beaubourg Chair in Steel and Leather by Michel Cadestin and Georges Laurent
By Michel Cadestin, Georges Laurent
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Michel Cadestin and Georges Laurent Beaubourg Chair, 1976 Steel and leather 19.5 x 20 x 30 in The Beaubourg chair was conceived by Richard Rogers and Renzo Piano and designed specif...
Steel
Michel Cadestin Beaubourg Wire Chair Centre Pompidou
By Michel Cadestin
Located in Antwerp, BE
Beaubourg wire chairs by Michel Cadestin and Georges Laurent. These chairs were designed in 1976 for the competition to determine which chairs would be used in the Centre Pompidou...
Leather
Michel Cadestin and Georges Laurent Beauburg Wire Chair Centre Pompidou
By Michel Cadestin
Located in Antwerp, BE
Mid-Century Modern Beaubourg wire chairs by Michel Cadestin and Georges Laurent. These chairs were designed in 1976 for the competition to determine which chairs would be used in the Centre Pompidou...
Leather
Pair of Beaubourg Chairs by Michel Cadestin for the Pompidou Centre
By Michel Cadestin
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sculptural set of steel and leather chairs by Michel Cadestin and Georges Laurent for the library at the Pompidou Centre. Galvanized steel mesh chairs with original leather seats and...
Steel
Sold
H 27.56 in W 22.84 in D 22.84 in
Michel Cadestin Beaubourg Chair in Galvanized Steel and Brown Leather
By Michel Cadestin
Located in Antwerp, BE
Mid-Century Modern wire chair by Michel Cadestin and Georges Laurent which they developed for the famous Centre Pompidou in Paris. Jean Prouvé himself elected this design for the fam...
Beaubourg Chair by Michel Cadestin and Georges Laurent
By Michel Cadestin
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Exquisite Pompidou chair designed by Michel Cadestin and Georges Laurent. Great original patina to rich brown leather, wire frame and two leg base. Perfect for a small desk. The Beaubourg chair...
Metal
Sold
H 28 in W 19 in D 21 in
Set of Eight Beaubourg Chairs Designed by Michel Cadestin and Georges Laurent
By Michel Cadestin, Georges Laurent
Located in Stamford, CT
A matched set of eight Michel Cadestin and Georges Laurent leather and metal Beaubourg chairs, from the Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris. These chairs were designed in 1976 for the com...
Steel
