In 1925, the Swiss-born French architect and designer Le Corbusier finished in his book, the Contemporary Arts of Today, that modern furniture must be parallel to that of a human extremity. This “human-limb object” furniture, as Le Corbusier described it at the time, must adjust to the several functions of the human body while being discreet in doing so. Le Corbusier would then put his plans into practice when he collaborated with French interior designer Charlotte Perriand on numerous tubular steel furniture designs. Together with these designs is the LC1 Sling chair.

Of all the chair styles Le Corbusier made in his vocation, the Le Corbusier No. 1 or the LC1 “Sling” chair would possibly be his most legendary. Also recognized as the Basculant Chair, the Sling Chair is a slender tubular steel chair originated on the design of the British officer’s chair. The chair principally comprises of a skeletal welded tubular steel frame, over which a leather or ponyskin seat and backrest are fixed on securely. Frames on early examples of the LC1 were basically polished steel, even if they were progressively changed with chrome-plated steel. In addition, the Sling Chair also shows a pair of matching leather arm rests which look like belts covered around the sides of the frame.

In addition to its inconspicuous look, the LC1 Sling Chair is also designed with comfort in mind. The back of the chair, for example, features a adjustable steel rod which permits the chair to tilt whenever its occupant changes his or her sitting position. This allows the Sling Chair to predict the movements of its occupant and keep him or her relaxed at all times. What’s more, the chair’s explicit arm rest design permits the arms to rest comfortably without restricting their natural movement.

The LC1 was among Le Corbusier’s designs that were featured at the prominent Salon d’ Automne in 1929. The chair also obtain prestige for being included in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

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