This graceful proto-chair in the Pavilion series from Norwegian designers Anderssen & Voll combines a slim metal frame with the gentle curvature of the wood veneer seat and back. Designed as stackable seating for Copenhagen's historic Langelinie Pavilion—with its view of Denmark's famed Little Mermaid—the chair was meant to contrast with the building's 1950s boxy modernism. "Usually tube chairs from this era are quite angular, with a certain rigidity," says Voll."We wanted a softer look," adds Anderssen. Their Pavilion AV1 is an enduring and practical option for both residential and contract use, with the frame in black powder-coat and a lacquered wood finish available in matte oak, blackened oak or walnut.