Preben Fabricius & Jørgen Kastholm, PK10/PK11 Plico Chair

Despite its light exterior, the Plico Chair offers supreme comfort by virtue of its soft upholstery.

Preben Fabricius & Jørgen Kastholm

PK10/PK11 Plico Chair

A turning point in the work of Preben Fabricius and Jørgen Kastholm and a precursor to an international career in furniture design, the award-winning, foldable Plico Chair is a unique example of a simple and honest design that neither compromises on comfort nor aesthetics. Plico means ‘to fold’ in Latin and the adjustable backrest can be completely folded, creating a chair that takes up as little space as possible when not in use.

With visible joints, beautiful brass fittings and accomplished craftsmanship, the Plico Chair beautifully highlights what other designers often seek to hide. At first glance, it appears deceptively simple, but closer examination reveals an extremely detailed design.

The solid oak frame and the rear legs are gently curved, giving the chair a soft rounding at the back. The armrests are made from saddle leather attached on the rear legs, the back and seat are in canvas, and the cushions are upholstered in stitched linen canvas to provide an elegant expression. The high back version of the chair also has a neck cushion for an extra degree of comfort.

Preben Fabricius and Jørgen Kastholm’s designs can be found in museums and design centres around the world, including at MoMA in New York and at the Louvre Museum in Paris.

Preben Fabricius & Jørgen Kastholm

1915 – 1969

Preben Fabricius trained as a cabinetmaker in 1952 with Niels Vodder, one of the most prominent cabinetmakers of the time. At the age of 19, Jørgen Kastholm returned to Denmark from years in the US to train as a smith in his father’s company, and soon they both decided to continue their studies at the School of Interior Design. In 1961, Fabricius and Kastholm established their own design studio.

Together, they designed furniture in wood, and later also in steel and leather, taking advantage of Jørgen Kastholm’s experience and background as a smith. They drew their inspiration from luminaries of Danish design such as Hans J. Wegner and Arne Jacobsen, but also international names such as Charles and Ray Eames and Mies van der Rohe. The design duo specialized in furniture design and single-family houses, and their designs were characterized by minimalism, sophistication, functionality, quality, and their eye for detail.