LAYER + MDF Italia Unveil Their Take on the Iconic Shell Chair

After two years of meticulous development, Benjamin Hubert, founder of experience design agency LAYER, and Italian furniture company MDF Italia have revealed their reinterpretation of the classic shell chair, aptly named Press. The name is derived from the unique production process, which utilizes a two-part aluminum mold to press the chair into shape without cracking the shell. The result is a sinuous design defined by a continuous curve. What makes Press truly innovative is its use of 3D wood veneer, a cutting-edge material that makes it possible to create complex forms.

Person standing in dim lighting, holding the backrest of a simple, modern wooden chair with a curved seat and four legs

Six differently shaped wooden chair seats are displayed on a white background

Hubert’s vision for Press was to reimagine this iconic chair typology while ensuring it would endure aesthetically and functionally. “When working with any material at LAYER we like to push its potential – and an innovative material such as 3D-Veneer creates so many opportunities to experiment,” he explains. “While it was essential that the form of the chair express the material qualities of 3D-Veneer, it was just as important that it have a timeless quality to ensure longevity.”

Three wooden chair shells are placed on a plain white background. Each shell displays a smooth, curved design, and they appear to be in an unfinished state without legs or additional components

While Press is available with the option of an upholstered seat pad or even a fully upholstered version, its standard design features a seat form that mimics the comfort of pillowed seating. This design provides enhanced support, and the waterfall edge of the chair alleviates pressure on the user’s thighs. The natural wood grain’s lines guide the eye along the curves of the seat as well as the silhouette of the chair. The soft lines throughout the Press design generates a feeling of comfort, both visually and physically.

Two minimalist wooden chairs with smooth, curved designs. The chair on the right appears to be damaged or deformed. Both are set against a plain white background

The bottom of two pressed wood shell chairs

Two modern wooden chairs with curved backs and seats; the chair on the left has a dark finish and metal legs, while the chair on the right has a light finish and wooden legs, set against a white background

Thanks to its simple, timeless design, PRESS can be paired with various leg styles, including stacking steel tube legs, laminated plywood legs, or a central stem steel base. Like a chameleon of chairs, Press effortlessly adapts to different environments, offering comfort in settings ranging from offices to dining rooms.

Two modern chairs are placed in a white room. One chair has a light wooden finish, and the other is dark and sleek. Both have simple, curved designs with four legs

A simple, light wood chair with a curved backrest and four legs on a plain white background

A minimalist wooden chair with a curved backrest and four legs, set against a white background

A black, modern, four-legged chair with a curved seat and backrest is centered on a plain white background

A modern black chair with a curved backrest and seat, supported by four angled legs, shown against a plain white background

A modern chair with a smooth, curved wooden seat and backrest, mounted on a black metal frame with four legs

A modern chair with a wooden seat and backrest, and black metal legs, viewed from the rear. The background is plain and white.

A light wood, curved-back chair with four legs against a plain white background

upclose details of A light wood, curved-back chair

upclose details of A light wood, curved chair

Three modern chairs are displayed in a row on a plain white background. The chairs are brown, light brown, and black, each offering a different leg design