Montreal Chairs attributed to Frei Otto, Germany, 1967, Set of 4

Set of four ‘Montreal’ chairs, designed in 1967 by the visionary architect Frei Otto for the German Pavilion at Expo Montreal. Produced by Karl Froscher & Co., Murr, this chair exemplifies Otto’s groundbreaking approach to design, blending structural innovation with minimalist aesthetics. Crafted from stained beech wood, the chair features a cleverly engineered frame that is both stackable and easily disassemblable. The construction uses a combination of round and flat wooden elements, seamlessly connected through a system of joints and screws. The seat is elegantly upholstered in leather with durable tension straps, offering both comfort and lasting quality. Frei Otto (1925-2015) was a German architect, architectural theorist, and professor. His pioneering work in lightweight construction, using cable nets, grid shells, and other tensile structure (Olympia Stadion Munich 1972), established him as one of the most influential architects of the 20th century. Alongside Richard Buckminster Fuller and Santiago Calatrava, Otto is regarded as one of the key figures in organic architecture. design from one of the 20th century’s most influential architects.