April 2009

Ride ‘em high: the distinctive 404 H barstool by Stefan Diez complements the successful 404 programme

Design: Stefan Diez, 2008/2009

Quirky, unique and comfortable—just like the whole prize-winning 404 family—Thonet presents the three-legged 404 H barstool by Stefan Diez with its distinctive, saddle-like seat. Sit down and experience the unexpected, yet pleasant, bounce. Stefan Diez once again proves that the Thonet heritage ofwood-working can be interpreted in a contemporary and unconventional way. Matching high-top tables are available to go with this stool.

The seat of the 404 H is an organically-shaped, comfortable saddle that lends the 404 its extraordinary form. The elevation of the rear part of the seat provides overall support, especially for the lower back. On sitting down, the seat has an unexpected springiness, thus enabling an active—even dynamic—sitting experience. The base ring features a slip-resistant and non-abrasive border. The seat is completely embedded into the depth of the legs, which provides the necessary stability and mirrors the backrest of the 404 chairs. As with all the other chairs in the 404 family, this barstool is produced entirely from moulded plywood, including beech. All elements are glued together, preventing the need for further fixings. Available in a number of stained finishes, and with matching 1404 high top tables. The 404 family consists of the narrow 404 chair, the wider 404 F chair with armrests, barstools and high top tables, as well as square, rectangular and round tables.

Stefan Diez

Designer Stefan Diez was born in 1971 in Freising (Germany). He studied industrial design at the Stuttgart Academy of Fine Arts. From 1999 to 2002 he was assistantto Richard Sapper, then worked with Konstantin Grcic and since 2003 has had his own studio in Munich. His work focuses on product and exhibition design projects for, among others, Authentics, Moroso, Thonet and Wilkahn. He has been awarded the Federal Republic of Germany’s Design Award several times, several Red Dot Awards, as well as iF product design awards. Stefan Diez has participated in numerous museum exhibitions. He is regarded as one of the most innovative and promising German designers of the recent generation, and his work enjoys international renown.