Eero Aarnio designed the Bubble Chair in 1968. A transparent acrylic shell surrounds the seat, while a metal ring defines the circular opening. The chair hangs from above, leaving the space beneath it empty. Its spherical form relates to Aarnio’s earlier Ball Chair, but the clear material allows the room to remain visible through the enclosure.
The manufacturer identifies acrylic and stainless steel as the principal materials, with upholstered cushions providing the contact surfaces. The shell curves continuously behind and around the sitter. Reflections at its edges make its thickness apparent, while the central area can almost disappear against the background. The metal rim establishes a firmer outline where the open front meets the surrounding sphere.
The suspended structure changes how the object occupies a room. There are no legs to describe a footprint on the floor; instead, the overhead connection establishes its position. The Bubble brings together a transparent boundary, a compact padded seat and a visible hanging support. These few elements make both the chair’s enclosure and the surrounding space part of its appearance.
PastiIIi or Gyro chair by Eero Aarnio
