LC3 Fauteuil Grand Confort, grand modèle (Armchair)

Overview

The LC3 armchair (Cassina's "LC3 Fauteuil Grand Confort, grand modèle") is the single-seat chair of the Grand Confort family, the work of Le Corbusier together with Pierre Jeanneret and Charlotte Perriand. On Cassina's product sheet the design year is 1928, with Cassina production from 1965 (the page header shows 1965). Cassina expresses the idea of modernity here by keeping the steel supporting frame apart from the upholstered parts. The model drawn on the page (003 1_/E_) is 99 cm wide, 73 cm deep and 63 cm high, with a seat height of 41 cm.

Construction

Loose cushions sit inside a steel tube frame finished in polished chrome or painted, which is the primary support of the piece. Their fill is variable density polyurethane foam plus a layer of polyester fibre batting, resin-treated and laminated to a fabric lining; the covering is fabric or leather.

Image source: Cassina — LC3 Fauteuil Grand Confort, grand modèle (Armchair) · © Cassina and the respective rights holders. Quoted to accompany INTEBEE's independent design commentary and research. · View official product page ↗ · Image use & copyright policy

Specifications

• Dimensions: 99 x 73 x 63 cm, seat height 41 cm
• Frame finishes: chrome-plated, or painted in green, black, brown, grey, mud, light blue or ivory
• Coverings: fabric (F, O, E and L ranges) and leather (X Scozia, Y Extra and Z Natural)

A frame and cushions kept apart

Across the models of the grand modèle, Cassina places the idea of modernity in the split between a metal supporting frame and the upholstered elements. Loose cushions rest in a tubular steel cage, painted or chrome-plated, that carries the piece in every variation, from the armchair with an armrest on one side or on both to the two- and three-seat sofas.

Cassina and the Le Corbusier heritage

Cassina says it has cooperated closely over the years with Charlotte Perriand and her daughter Pernette, along with the Fondation Le Corbusier. The result is a series of new versions and finishes that reinterpret the original design while staying faithful to its authentic nature. An eco-friendly version of the models also exists, following a study by Cassina LAB; sustainable materials and processes are used for its foam-fill parts, cushion padding and tubular structure.