Monobloc Chairs

Monobloc chairs — made from injection-molded polypropylene — are ubiquitous today and can effectively be found in every corner of the world. The first Monobloc chair was made in 1946 by a Canadian designer named D.C. Simpson. However, the modeling process wasn’t well-suited to the limited mass-production capabilities available at the time. But by the 1960s, other designers had shown increasing interest in the concept of molding chairs in a single plastic block. For example, the production technique was used on Verner Panton's Cantilever Chair, which became a design classic of its own due to its sleek lines, affordable production, and ability to be stacked for efficient storage. Another chair that set the stage for the Monobloc’s eventual success was the Fauteuil 300, which was created by French designer Henry Massonnet in 1972. Then in 1983, the Grosfillex group launched the Resin Garden Chair, a version of the Monobloc chair that was produced at such a low cost that it could be sold for very low prices. It was cheap, lightweight, stackable, comfortable, and weatherproof — and was thus quickly embraced nearly everywhere in the world. While most were simply made from white plastic, brightly colored versions have also been produced and can still be found in many areas, and the chairs themselves have become something of an icon of modern life. Minimalist in design, affordable in price, and deeply functional, the modern Monobloc can be seen today nearly anywhere, from elementary schools to cafés to backyards all over the globe.