SE68 tubular steel chair – Eiermann meets Le Corbusier

The SE 68 is a tubular steel chair designed in 1951 by Egon Eiermann, one of the key figures of German postwar modernism. Instantly recognizable by its distinctive silhouette, the SE 68 remains a defining example of Eiermann’s approach to functional clarity combined with human-centered design. The present chair was produced by Wilde + Spiethand belongs to a limited special edition titled Eiermann Meets Le Corbusier, released in 2013.

The design is defined by the contrast between an organically shaped seat and backrest made of molded plywood and a slender tubular steel frame. At the time of its introduction, this material combination was highly unconventional in Germany and underlined Eiermann’s ambition to create furniture that balanced structural logic with ergonomic comfort.

For this special edition, the classic SE 68 design was combined with the color system developed by Le Corbusier. The finish is based on original, licensed colors from Les Couleurs® Le Corbusier, applied specifically for this edition. The result is a restrained yet distinctive interpretation that respects the integrity of Eiermann’s original design while introducing a carefully considered chromatic dimension.

In this limited edition, the SE 68 represents a thoughtful dialogue between postwar modernist design and a later, color-based reinterpretation—functional, architectural, and quietly expressive.