Robin Day Polyside Chair by Robin Day

In 1963 Robin Day and Hille recognised the potential of polypropylene, a relatively new material produced by Shell Chemicals, to manufacture a chair shell which would offer a low-cost, light and durable alternative to conventional wooden seating for general use in public spaces. Relying largely on an intuitive sense of the potential of the new material, Day carried out laborious experiments with paper mache covered wooden structures to develop a form both structurally sound and aesthetically satisfying.

The P5 stacking frame requires only two welds where front and back legs meet at the sides. These exposed and expressed joints make a significant contribution to the chair’s distinctive aesthetic and are typical of Day’s work. A very wide variety of bases were developed for different applications, but the P5 stacking version of the chair remains iconic.