Warm plywood chair showcases the beauty and functionality of this simple material

Most of the time we underestimate the importance of a great chair and don’t pay enough attention while selecting one. When in reality, we really shouldn’t. We spend the majority of our day sitting on chairs, whether we’re working in our home office, enjoying a meal, or simply sitting and reading a book for leisure! Hence, this piece of furniture needs to be not only comfortable but ergonomic and aesthetic as well. It needs to provide good support to our backs and butts, and also somehow harmoniously complement the rest of the furniture in our home, and our interiors. A unique chair design that completely caught my attention is the Alcântara Chair by Álvaro Siza.

Designer: Álvaro Siza for MOR

Designed by Álvaro Siza for the Portuguese brand MOR, the Alcântara Chair was designed to showcase the “beauty and practicality” of plywood. Plywood is often deemed a simple material, and not given much attention after a certain point, but with the Alcântara Chair, Siza wanted to shine a light on the simplistic and sheer beauty of this material. The chair is made up of slim planks of plywood that have been arranged perpendicularly to form a seat, armrests, and backrest. The chair has been adorned with leather-covered cushions to help you feel relaxed and cozy.

Plywood was selected as the material of choice since it is sustainable and efficient in the production department, while also managing to maintain an air of modern elegance, and a sense of warmth. It’s the kind of material that can add layers of sophistication and charm to any living space it is placed within. Named after the riverside district Alcântara in Lisbon, the Alcântara Chair is designed to be a relaxing and inviting spot, that welcomes you warmly and encourages you to read your favorite book and destress.

“Its simple, minimalistic, and timeless shape allows it to fit in a variety of scenarios and atmospheres, making it a perfect piece for living spaces and offices alike,” said MOR. The Alcântara Chair is available in three types of wood – ash, oak, and walnut, and with a choice of upholstery in natural, brown, or black leather. Take your pick!