David Rowland: 40/4 Chair

【Book Description】

American industrial designer and inventor David Rowland is best known for his groundbreaking creation, the “40/4 Chair,” launched in 1964. The name reflects its revolutionary design—forty chairs can be stacked vertically within just four feet of space. This remarkable feat introduced an entirely new category of high-density, multi-functional seating that redefined flexibility and spatial efficiency in public and commercial interiors.

Co-authored by Rowland’s wife, Erwin Rowland, and writer Laura Schenone, David Rowland: 40/4 Chair chronicles the fascinating journey of this iconic design from concept to global success. Despite being initially rejected by major furniture manufacturers, including Herman Miller and Knoll, Rowland remained resolute. His perseverance eventually turned the 40/4 Chair into one of the most commercially successful seating designs in history, with over 8 million units sold by the early 21st century and numerous design accolades to its name.

Today, the 40/4 Chair is part of the permanent collections of major museums worldwide and is widely used in a range of public and private spaces—from cathedrals, cultural institutions, and government buildings to schools, hospitals, hotels, and homes. It stands as a symbol of intelligent design, combining utility with timeless elegance.

Published to mark the 60th anniversary of the 40/4 Chair, this first-ever monograph on David Rowland features over 250 rare photographs and historical documents—many previously unpublished. The book offers an in-depth look at Rowland’s design process, from his early explorations to the evolution of his signature work, and includes additional projects from throughout his career. Together, these stories paint a compelling portrait of a designer whose vision shaped mid-century modernism and continues to influence contemporary design thinking.

Born in Hollywood, California, in 1924, Rowland studied at the Cranbrook Academy of Art in Michigan. His perfectly engineered 40/4 Chair remains one of the most important industrial design achievements of the 20th century, a lasting testament to the power of innovation, precision, and purposeful design.

【Book Details】

Authors: Erwin Rowland, Laura Schenone
Contributor: Carl Magnussen
Publisher: Phaidon Press
Publication Year: 2024
Dimensions: 30 × 22 cm
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 240 pages