Functional Form and Contemporary Elegance Thonet Celebrates 75th Anniversary of Tubular Steel Desk S 285 with a Ladies’ and Men’s Edition

Design: Marcel Breuer, 1935

Thonet is proud to present two special designs of the popular classic desk for its 75th anniversary: the drawers of the Ladies’ and Men’s Edition are fitted with an exclusive fabric or leather lining – the Ladies’ Edition features bold colors and the Men’s Edition is characterised by its simple elegance. Even after 75 years, this desk with its pure design and high level of functionality is still a design icon. It was originally created during the early development of tubular steel furniture in the 1920s and 30s.

The revolution of lightness

These modern and functional pieces of furniture are still seen as a revolutionary achievement today. Their clear and simple form represented the expression of a new approach to everyday culture and architecture. All tubular steel designs from the period are characterised by qualities such as transparency, reduction of form, and extreme functionality. This is also true for the design aesthetics of the S 285 desk, by architect and Bauhaus teacher Marcel Breuer. The tabletop and storage elements made of varnished or stained wood fit harmoniously into the tubular steel frame. The frame forms one continuous, curving line, in which the wooden elements seem to float.

Two special designs of the S 285 for its 75th anniversary

For the 75th anniversary of the S 285, Thonet is presenting two special editions of this desk. The Ladies’ Edition comes with a white, open-pore* finish tabletop and storage elements. The drawers of this special design are lined with a hardwearing fabric in bright colors such as orange, green and blue. The Men’s Edition features wooden elements with a black, open-pore finish and exclusive leather lining for the drawers. Both designs are made from ash veneer.

Using technical ingenuity to achieve the highest levels of comfort

The tubular steel desk is fitted with full extension drawers and self-closing drawer tracks. Due to the increased space needed by these new technical components, the arrangement and number of drawers has changed while the floating lightness of the design has been maintained. The large version offers the highest levels of comfort with three drawers, while the smaller version is equipped with two. The basic model with shelves has also been modified. This design can now be ordered with additional drawers. Accessories comprise a movable pen tray in one drawer or a flexible, leather desk pad.

Marcel Breuer

Born on May 22, 1902 in Pécs, Hungary, Marcel Breuer studied art for a short period before furthering his education at the Staatliche Bauhaus Weimar from 1920 to 1924. After living briefly in Paris, he assumed directorship of the Bauhaus carpentry workshop from 1925 to 1928, which had moved to Dessau. During this time, he was strongly influenced by constructivism and De Stijl, designing several innovative pieces of furniture made of tubular steel. Breuer moved to Berlin in 1928, where he was primarily involved in interior design. Starting in 1931, he set off on a series of travels before settling in Switzerland in 1932 to work on several aluminum furniture designs. In 1935 Marcel Breuer moved to London, where he worked as an architect. In 1937 he accepted the invitation to become a professor at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he later opened an architecture firm with Walter Gropius. In 1946 Marcel Breuer founded his own studio in New York and implemented numerous designs in Europe and the U.S.A. He is considered to be one of the most significant modern architects and designers. Marcel Breuer died in New York on July 1, 1981. Die Revolution der schwebenden Leichtigkeit