The Parabola Chair is an award-winning chair design by Carlo Aiello. The design is the outcome of Aiello’s intention to create something “sculptural, but easy to manufacture and ergonomically correct” – which sounds really hard to achieve.
Courtesy Carlo Aiello
The chair is available at ENSSO. The primary challenge in designing this chair was in achieving the usual components of the chair – the arm rest, backrest and seat using a single surface. This was done by developing a shell which was curved in two directions – a hyperbolic paraboloid (called Pringle). It conformed to the sitter’s body as well. Truly, a whole lot of math went into designing this iconic chair.
Courtesy Carlo Aiello
The Parabola Chair is made out of straight chrome-plated steel rods which slightly change angle successively to give a parabolic basket. Thus, it is economical and easy to manufacture. Appearing as symmetrical, the chair gives a womb like presence which accommodates the user very comfortably.
Courtesy Carlo Aiello
A cushion is added to make the chair more comfortable. The chair gives a ‘mid-century’ feeling as parabolas were first implemented in design during that time. “Calibrating curvature was the most difficult thing,” says Aiello,“if you pull one curve down it affects the other. If you have enough space for the seat, then that pulls the backrest really far behind. We had to calibrate it to the perfect size to be comfortable.” The outcome is a chair which allows light to pass through. It would create beautiful shadows on the floor, wouldn’t it?
Project info:
Architects: Carlo Aiello
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Photographs: Courtesy Carlo Aiello
Width: 35″
Length: 40″
Height: 37″
Seat height: 17.5″
Design: Carlo Aiello with Luis Villanueva
Madeline Brooks is a Projects Editor at Arch2O, where she has been shaping and refining architectural content since March 2024. With over a decade of experience in editorial work, she has curated, revised, and published an array of projects covering architecture, urbanism, and public space design. A graduate of the Harvard University Graduate School of Design, Madeline brings a strong academic foundation and a discerning editorial eye to each piece she oversees. Since joining Arch2O, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the platform’s editorial direction, with a focus on sustainability, social relevance, and cutting-edge design. Madeline excels at translating complex architectural ideas into clear, engaging stories that resonate with both industry professionals and general readers. She works closely with architects, designers, and global contributors to ensure every project is presented with clarity, depth, and compelling visual narrative. Her editorial leadership continues to elevate Arch2O’s role in global architectural dialogue.