Martin Labbé's screw-free pine chair
Minimalist chair crafted from standard construction timber using traditional joinery techniques
1Minimalist design from standard lumber
Stockholm-based designer Martin Labbé created a screw-free chair using 45x95 mm standard pine sections. Developed for a small gelato shop, the design highlights proportions and joinery details rather than concealing the material's industrial origins. The chair's straightforward silhouette directly relates to its construction method, showcasing how ordinary construction timber can become refined furniture through careful design.
2Traditional joinery techniques
The designer employed traditional carpentry methods, using mortise-and-tenon joints and wooden dowels for all connections. Instead of decorative elements, the joinery itself becomes the chair's visual identity. This approach gives common building materials a second life as thoughtful furniture pieces. The construction emphasizes handcraft over industrial production, with each joint visibly expressing how the chair comes together.
3Spatial problem-solving
The chair was developed to optimize space in a small gelateria that experiences queues during peak hours. Labbé positioned the movable chairs along with a fixed bar table against the wall to maintain customer circulation. The chairs carry the same architectural language as the bar while serving a practical function. Their compact design addresses the challenge of limited commercial interiors without compromising on aesthetics.
4Material honesty
Using identical 45x95 mm pine profiles for all structural elements preserves the material's natural character. Rather than disguising its industrial origins, the chair celebrates the everyday quality of construction lumber. Each component was hand-sanded by the designer and treated with linseed oil, enhancing the wood's grain while providing protection. This treatment maintains the tactile quality of raw timber.
5Natural finishing process
The linseed oil finish preserves the wood's texture, grain, and tonal variations while offering protection. This treatment brings the chair closer to raw carpentry than polished industrial production. The finishing process emphasizes the physical meeting points of wooden members rather than relying on additional components. It results in a chair that feels honest and straightforward in its construction.
6Part of a broader collection
The chair represents the first pieces from Labbé's larger furniture series developed around the same aesthetic and structural logic. Self-produced by the designer, the collection will debut at the Stockholm Furniture Fair in February 2027. The project demonstrates what's possible with standard building materials through a minimalist approach, challenging conventional furniture production methods.
7Design philosophy
Labbé's design provides practical solutions for constrained commercial spaces while demonstrating how ordinary materials can achieve extraordinary results with careful attention. Using just a handful of traditional joints and uniform timber sections, the designer created furniture that says much with little. The project makes a quiet argument for thoughtful material use without unnecessary complexity.
8Alternative to industrial design
The project offers a sustainable alternative to today's overproduction-focused furniture industry. By promoting the use of standard construction materials as finished furniture, the design reduces waste without sacrificing aesthetics. The chair stands as a practical example of sustainable design, proving that good furniture doesn't require exotic materials or hidden hardware to be both functional and beautiful.