The X-Line Chair is one of the few high-tech objects that came out of Denmark
Originally designed by Niels Jørgen Haugesen in the late 1970s, the X-Line Chair is now part of HAY’s collection of timeless, original designs. Thoughtfully chosen to bridge the past and present, the X-Line Chair is now available in exclusive new colours and finishes selected by HAY, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, depending on the chosen variant.
Made in thin metal wire, the X-Line Chair’s industrial expression and high-precision steel construction make it a fine example of the ‘70s high-tech movement. The period that followed the Danish design Golden Age was one of uncertainty – Danish designers were challenged to follow up the immensely successful 50s and 60s. “The X-Line Chair is one of the few high-tech objects that came out of Denmark,” says Rolf Hay, co-founder of HAY. “But in many ways, it’s one of the most intelligent designs to come out of our country. So minimal and so well-thought.”
The Danish designer behind the chair Niel Jørgen Haugesen, who worked with Arne Jacobsen in the 60s, was able to embrace this new engineering-based, inside-out approach to design. His carefully thought-out chair offers optimal functionality, with the refined design process resulting in the distinctive X-structure that makes it strong, lightweight, and flexible. “What I love about high-tech design and architecture is its transparency,” says Hay. “It was okay to show everything. It’s a very minimal and transparent chair and it’s showing how it is constructed.”
It’s this minimal use of materials and industrial design that also made it such a good fit for HAY. “Due to its very low use of material, it’s a chair with a very low carbon footprint,” describes Hay. This efficient design also allows it to be offered at a new democratic price point, aligning with HAY’s mission of making quality design accessible to as many people as possible.
Complementary cushions and leather seat pads add extra comfort, while the chair’s highly stackable form offers space-saving practicality. Ultimately, the X-Line’s simple and logical design language remains relevant today – one of the reasons why HAY welcomed it into its universe. “To Niels Jørgen Haugesen, it was all about design. He had a fantastic eye,” says Hay.
About Niels Jørgen Haugesen
Niels Jørgen Haugesen (1936-2013) was a leading Danish designer. After graduating from the Danish School of Arts, Crafts and Design, he worked under Arne Jacobsen, one of the most visionary designers of the time. Jacobsen’s dedication to craftsmanship and attention to detail influenced Haugesen’s values and design philosophy, leading to minimalistic designs characterised by clean lines that combined visual lightness with structural clarity. Driven by qualities like honesty and humility, he focused more on the utility and purpose of the object rather than seeking recognition or status. Haugesen designed the iconic X-Line Chair in 1977.
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