An exceptional suite of four reinforced concrete chairs designed by Poul Kjærholm and produced by Fritz Halvorsens Betonvarefabrik between 1954 and 1964.

Developed in 1954, the model formed part of Kjærholm’s early exploration of single-material construction. Drawing on Gerrit Rietveld’s Zig Zag Chair, he extended this structural logic into cast concrete, creating a modular system of “Beton Elementer” composed of chairs and tables.

The project was commissioned by Niels Lauritz Dam, County Surveyor in Hjørring, who oversaw the expansion of the Danish highway network in the early 1950s. Kjærholm was tasked with designing furnishings that would be durable and adaptable across multiple roadside sites. In response, he developed a modular system allowing the elements to function independently or be combined in varying lengths.

Produced between 1954 and 1964, the elements were installed across approximately twenty locations in northwestern Denmark. Anchored below the frost line, they were conceived for permanence and direct integration into the landscape.

The chairs presented here remain in original condition and are structurally sound, showing signs of age including paint loss, surface wear, and a stable crack consistent with long-term outdoor exposure. This patina, inseparable from their history, reflects Kjærholm’s original intention for the Beton Elementer — conceived to endure over time.

Surviving today as a complete suite of four, these chairs represent one of the rarest and most unconventional chapters in Kjærholm’s work.

Bibliography: Michael Sheridan in collaboration with the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, Poul Kjærholm: Furniture Architect, 2006, pp. 51, 53.

Each piece is carefully cleaned and, when necessary, restored with respect for its original conception.
Subtle signs of use and natural patina may remain, as part of its lived history.