Whether in waiting rooms, upmarket restaurants and hotels, or home interiors, a well-designed armchair can make all the difference. Not only do they serve our practical need for comfort, but they are also key pieces that reflect the character and values of a space. A skilful blend of straight lines and delicate curves elevated by the soft touch of its materiality, the award-winning Njord armchair from leading European commercial furniture manufacturer Kusch+Co is guaranteed to turn heads.

The Njord armchair is exclusively distributed in Australia by Bowermans Commercial Furniture, a leading supplier of innovative commercial office furniture solutions. Since 1946, Bowermans has provided furniture solutions to organisations throughout Australia, from small businesses to large government departments, multiple-stage corporate fit-outs, and large education projects. In this, Bowermans 75th year of operations, it is their long-term partnerships with local and international manufacturers, such as Kusch+Co, that has gained the supplier a reputation for quality products and renowned customer service. 

Designed by Scaffidi & Johansen, a young design team from Denmark, the Njord transforms the traditional wood-framed chair into a versatile and compact “lounger” that is also ideal as a restaurant dining chair or as a piece of hotel furniture. Characterised by its distinctive design language, the Njord’s legs open out like a chalice to hold the soft seat shell that is inserted through four punched openings and fixed by visible, oval wooden plugs.

With the Njord, Kusch+Co asked the designers to leave the naturalness of the wood untouched, paying homage to the long tradition of Scandinavian design. The objective was to create a “star”, a versatile piece of unparalleled quality and functionality geared towards the requirements of contract environments. The end result is a harmonious unity of opposites: a slender yet sturdy wood frame combined with a curvaceous yet light seat shell.

The seat shell itself is made entirely of anthracite polyester felt, which is soft and warm to the touch. The feel of the material surface provides a sensual experience, while its black and white fibres add optical depth. Its organic shape moulds to the body and the irregular fibre texture builds a microclimatic air cushion between the seat and the back. With these attributes, the Njord not only looks good, but it also defines a new level of comfort.

It is not without reason that Scaffidi & Johansen chose felt for this application: felt is a soft, snug material yet sturdy enough to maintain a distinctive profile. The modern qualities of polyester felt is paired with the warmth and homely charm of wood to create an eye-catching design only possible with a high level of know-how and artisan aptitude. Kusch+Co has been producing high-quality wooden seating since 1939, and only uses wood sourced from legal and sustainable forest cultivation.

The Njord’s lightweight construction results in an armchair weighing a mere 4.5kg, and as easy to handle as a side chair. It is available with a 45cm seat height with a gently inclined seat for use with standard-issue tables, or a 42cm seat height as a lounge armchair. Matching cushions and felt seat pads are optional extras. The frame is also stacking, opening a variety of flexible uses in contract environments such as in waiting areas, at conference tables and breakout rooms, among others.

For more information or to enquire about the Njord chair get in touch with the team at Bowermans Commercial Furniture at sales@bowermans.com.au.

Bowermans Commercial Furniture

bowermans.com.au