Cité

Overview

The Cité is dated 1930; Vitra calls it an early masterpiece by Jean Prouvé. It has a continuous fabric or leather cover on seat and backrest, powder-coated steel runners and leather belt armrests.

Construction

• Seat and backrest under one continuous cover in fabric or leather
• Height-adjustable neck cushion of polyurethane foam
• Base of bent sheet steel, powder-coated (smooth)
• Plastic glides for carpet, felt glides for hard floors as an option

Specifications

• Fact sheet drawing: 680 mm wide, 950 mm deep, 840 mm high
• Seat height 335 mm (210 mm with applied load, EN 1335-1)

Student halls in Nancy

The fact sheet says the Cité armchair was designed for a competition to furnish the student residence halls at the Cité Universitaire in Nancy. Prouvé used it himself in the living room of his own home.

Runners and belts

The armchair is recognisable by its powder-coated sheet steel runners and by broad leather belts that serve as armrests, and the fact sheet credits generous dimensions and inviting upholstery for its comfort.