Marcel Breuer

Marcel Breuer (1902–1981) was a Hungarian-born architect and furniture designer who, as a student and then master at the Bauhaus, revolutionized furniture design by introducing tubular steel as a structural material. Inspired by the handlebars of his Adler bicycle, Breuer created the Wassily Chair in 1925, followed by the Cesca Chair in 1928—two designs that fundamentally changed how the world thinks about seating. His later career as an architect produced masterworks in concrete brutalism. Breuer's furniture legacy is defined by his ability to transform industrial materials into elegant, lightweight, and surprisingly comfortable domestic objects. The Wassily Chair introduced transparency and lightness to the heavy tradition of club chairs, while the Cesca Chair's cantilevered frame eliminated the need for rear legs entirely. Both designs remain in continuous production by Knoll, furnishing homes, offices, and institutions worldwide with their distinctive blend of industrial honesty and visual refinement.

Key Characteristics

✓Pioneered tubular steel furniture at the Bauhaus
✓Created the first cantilevered chair design
✓Transformed industrial bicycle tubing into elegant furniture
✓Achieved visual lightness and transparency in seating
✓Bridged Bauhaus theory and practical mass production
✓Later became a master of concrete brutalist architecture

Types & Variations

Wassily Chair (B3, 1925)

Cesca Chair (B32, 1928)

Laccio Tables

Long Chair (1936)

Nesting Tables

Common Materials

Bent tubular steelChrome platingLeather strapsCane weavingCanvasBent plywood

Works Well With These Styles

Bauhaus Modern Industrial Minimalist Contemporary

Placement & Usage Tips

Breuer's tubular steel pieces work in both residential and commercial settings. A Wassily Chair adds intellectual edge to a study or living room, while Cesca Chairs bring timeless elegance to dining rooms. Their open frames keep small spaces feeling airy.

💡 Pro Tip

The Cesca Chair is one of the most versatile dining chairs ever designed—it works with rustic wood tables, glass-topped modern tables, and everything in between. Its cantilevered frame provides surprising comfort and a gentle spring that formal four-legged chairs lack.