Origin and Vision

Pierre Jeanneret's Chandigarh Furniture's origin dates back to the 1950s, India. The original designs were marked by a logical decision to engage local Indian craftspeople and manufacturers. They received the task of producing furniture for the new city of Chandigarh's public institutions and spaces. The 'Central Design Office' led by Pierre Jeanneret, oversaw the initiative. 

Collaborative Creativity

In collaboration with several young Indian designers and architects, Jeanneret emphasized using locally available materials to further develop and adapt the different designs. This approach granted considerable creative freedom to those involved in the project. As a result, no two chairs produced were entirely identical, showcasing numerous variations of the original designs.

Open-Source Innovation

Due to the vast quantity of furniture pieces produced and the extensive number of individuals involved in the project, it is impossible to assign intellectual property to a single person or commercial entity. Thus, the designs of the Chandigarh furniture have never been trademarked. Therefore, many recognize the initiative and the city of Chandigarh as one of the first open-source design projects.

Continuing the Tradition

From the Chandigarh furniture's origin to this day, many workshops continue to produce the Jeanneret chairs without restrictions. Here at Studio Botanica, we acknowledge and respect the hard work of all the creatives who have contributed to this project and celebrate its legacy and history. Indeed, the timeless design of these pieces is not solely the result of Pierre Jeanneret’s contributions but also the collective efforts of many. 

Read more about the history and design of the Chandigarh Chairs on our stories page.