The FINA Chair is an exploration of balance — a study in how far a wooden chair can be reduced while maintaining strength, comfort and presence.
Designed as an exercise in restraint, every element has been refined to its essential form. Slender legs, delicate proportions and softened transitions create a silhouette that appears remarkably light, yet remains structurally robust through the logic of its construction.
The chair is built using traditional mortise and tenon joinery, reinforced with exposed wedges that become both a structural necessity and a visible expression of craftsmanship. Rather than concealing the construction, the design allows the joinery to remain legible, revealing the relationship between each component and the forces it carries.
Throughout the piece, multiple woodworking traditions converge. Laminated and shaped elements introduce subtle curves that soften the geometry, while turned components provide rhythm and precision. Hand-finished details preserve the tactile quality of the material, allowing the chair to retain a sense of warmth and individuality despite its disciplined form.
The seat is available in several interpretations, each offering a distinct character while preserving the same structural framework. Solid wood versions emphasize continuity and material richness, woven paper cord introduces texture and lightness, while the slatted seat highlights the construction itself, creating a more architectural expression of the design.
Despite its visual delicacy, the FINA Chair is conceived for everyday use. Its proportions encourage comfort, while the refined structure allows it to sit quietly within a space, complementing rather than dominating its surroundings.
Available in walnut or ash, and in a range of seat configurations, the FINA Chair reflects Hausmann’s ongoing interest in creating objects where craftsmanship, material honesty and structural clarity exist in equilibrium.
