THE RELLING DESIGN COLLECTION BY RYBO - TiT

THE RELLING DESIGN COLLECTION BY RYBO
INGMAR RELLING

head office
Rybo As
Torpevegen 111
N-5610 Øystese
Norway
Tel: +47 56 55 51 00
Fax: +47 56 55 59 99
info@rybo.no
www.rybo.no
INGMAR RELLING
Ingmar Relling (1920-2002) was an impassioned
designer, who created a series of functional furniture
designs during his long career.
The Siesta is without a doubt his greatest creation
– a simply harmonious and classical chair, free of
unnecessary details.
Outside Norway, Relling is often characterized as
Norway’s answer to contemporary designers of the
Scandinavian Design school, such as Wegner, Jacobsen,
and Ekström. As Norway’s most internationally
renowned furniture designer to day, as well as one of
the greatest contributors to the Scandinavian Design,
his top-selling Siesta, his magnum opus, was an
icebreaker that opened up international markets to
Norwegian furniture exports.
Simplicity, minimalism, elegance and uncompromising
quality are key concepts in all Relling’s designs.
Sleek, clear lines, not to mention the obvious
correlation between design and function, were
essential for Ingmar Relling, who always was closely
involved with the chair’s development after it left
the drawing board. Even in the design phase, it
was crucial for Relling that the chair should be ecofriendly
– with optimized use of materials, wood
from sustainable forests, maximum durability and
reusability. This is typical of Ingmar Relling, who, as
well as being a designer, was a dedicated humanist,
interested in dimensions extending beyond the
purely aesthetic.
Relling worked for seven years from the age of 16 at
Vestlandske Stol- og Møbelfabrikk in his home district
until he started at the National School of Arts and Crafts.
After he passed his diploma, he soon opened his
own practice at Møre in 1950. For the first few years,
Relling worked as an interior architect, fitting out,
among others, schools, hotels and churches.
Since 1960, Relling dedicated himself entirely to
furniture design, developing his skills through
collaboration with the industry to become Norway’s
most internationally famous and recognized furniture
designer as well as one of the greatest contributors to
the concept Scandinavian Design.

RELLING DESIGN COLLECTION
With his creation of the Siesta, Cox and Optima,
Relling continues his most important principles
from the period 1950-1960, themed in flexibility
and cohesion; a space-saving combination. The
development line can be clearly seen through
models from Nordic in 1954, Siesta in 1965, Cox in
1974 and Optima in 1988.
Relling attained an international reputation with his
Siesta chair. The series represented new thinking in
terms of both construction and form. Most distinctive
is the simple, high-backed first edition in light beech,
upholstered in canvas or leather.
From Relling’s range of chairs, special mention
should be made of the series Siesta, Cox and Optima.
All are original in terms of construction and have a
compact form of expression of sculptural quality.
The light, resilient and elegant chairs unite technical,
functional and aesthetic qualities of an exceptional
standard. He never permits one functional element
to overwhelm or render others ineffectual. Only
when he has achieved balanced interaction is he
satisfied with a project.
Since that time, Relling worked consistently with
chairs made from laminated beech, above all,
easy chairs. In some of his works he employed the
equivalent qualities of steel.

NOBEL
Simplicity in style - optimum comfort. Since the
1960’s – through 5 decades - the Siesta has been the
most internationally successful piece of Norwegian
designer furniture. It has won many prestigious
international design prizes and has been bought by
all the world’s major art museums, from Tokyo and
Sidney in the East to London and New York in the
West. Siesta continues to be an international winner
among those who appreciate superior design and
quality. It is included in the portfolio of leading
furniture design shops.
Sewing skills and upholstery of excellent
handcraft, neat and precise in form and finish
and at the same time with a soft and comfortable
look.
Sideways focus; the shape of the form pressed
wood, the neat cushions, elegant and dynamic,
reinforcing the sculptural dynamic look.

CLASSIC
The combination of form pressed veneer, canvas
and cords, a sensational dynamic and lightly
tilting sitting comfort. Canvas of hand-woven,
three layer laminated fabric, strong and springy
like a trampoline.
Comfort and relaxation. Over the years, the Siesta
chair has been adapted to suit changing styles
and tastes, but the original simple, elegant design
and uncompromising quality have always been
maintained. These very same sleek, clear lines, not
to mention the obvious correlation between design
and function, were essential for Ingmar Relling,
who was also closely involved with the chair’s
development after it left the drawing board. Even
in the design phase, it was crucial for Relling that
the chair should be eco-friendly – with optimized
use of materials, wood from sustainable forests,
maximum durability and reusability. This is typical
of Ingmar Relling, who, as well as being a designer,
was a dedicated humanist, interested in dimensions
extending beyond the purely aesthetic.
The armrest especially designed to customer’s
requests, as neat and minimalistic as possible
for the utmost comfortable seating.
Only leather of premium qualities, Pure Anilin
and Semi-Anilin have been Rybo’s quality ranges
for the last 25 years.

FIORA
Purity but no compromise. A Siesta chair is made of
canvas, cord, cushion and seven wooden components.
The laminated moulded side sections give the
chair beautiful lines, flexible seating comfort and
exceptional strength at the same time. Siesta is very
durable, replacement parts are available and most
of it is reusable after several years – a recyclable
product whose design merits are more widely
appreciated as time goes on.
The model Siesta Fiora comes with or without
neck cushion. The reinforced leather cord,
edging all cushions, gives a good impression of
sewing skills and handcraft.
This decorative and outstanding detail gives at
the same time stability in the back-part of the
cushion. A unique detail that firmly locks the
foam and upholstery to the leather.

ICON
No-nonsense - highend purism in elegance. Few
pieces of design-led furniture have surpassed the
sales figures of Ingmar Relling’s world-renowned
Siesta and few chairs are held in such high esteem
45 years after their launch.
This elegant chair with its proud profile was
originally Relling’s submission to the Norwegian
Furniture Council competition in 1965, where he won
a well-deserved first prize. Since then, the highest
distinctions have been lavished on the chair and its
creator. They are sold in more than 50 countries, to
companies, privates and galleries all over the world.
Even to prestigious buildings like The White House
Wash. D.C.
Detail of the back, upholstered on both sides
with leather and an additional 10 mm foam in
the front of the back. Showing unique sewing
and upholstery skills, neat and sleek with a
sensational sitting comfort.
The seat- and neck-cushion, together with
Relling’s dynamic design, all created to
strengthen the shape of the sitting human
anatomy, homo sedens.

Optima is Ingmar Relling’s last major launch from
1988, the result of an emergent collaboration
between father and son, Knut Relling. Optima
follows on naturally from Ingmar Relling’s design
understanding and construction principles.
Again he provides evidence of superb harmony in
which form actually follows function, reflecting
precisely the essence of the functionalist, not just
a question of shape, but far more importantly of
content and quality of life.
Simplicity and stringent but logical expression
infuse Relling’s chairs with their unique character.
They clearly carry the signature of a great master.

Cox is a natural addition to Ingmar Rellings
interpretation of design and construction. As a
humanist, the supreme perspective of his work
was that the items he designed should be useful
to people in their daily lives; not just a question
of shape, but far more importantly of content and
quality of life.
With Siesta, Cox and Optima, Ingmar Relling delivers
exemplary proof of his outlook. Here he provides
evidence of superb harmony in which form actually
follows function, reflecting precisely the essence of
the functionalist.
Simplicity and stringent but logical expression
infuse Relling’s chairs with their unique character.
They clearly carry the signature of a great master.
Rybo is proud and honoured to present its selected
Relling Collection of classic design chairs.

RELAX IN STYLE
It is more than 40 years since the Siesta chair won the
competition that inspired Ingmar Relling to create
what is today considered as his masterpiece. This
unique chair now has many devoted followers.
The Siesta chair is comprised of only seven
components in wood, canvas, cord and cushions,
creating an impression of lightness and elegance.
The laminated, form-pressed side pieces enhance
the chair’s beautiful lines. And of course, Relling’s
trademark, the fundamental quality of the chair that
ensures flexible sitting comfort and, at the same
time, exceptional strength.
NATURE IN FOCUS
It has always been extremely important for Ingmar
Relling that the chair was “environmentally correct”.
Therefore it has a low weight and compact materials
to minimize transport costs.
At each phase, consideration has been given to
optimization of materials usage. Threatened tree
species have never been used. Not only is the chair
exceptionally robust and durable but replacement
parts are available, and most of the chair can be
recycled at the end of its life. In brief it is a chair
built for a lifetime.
This was the philosophy when it was introduced,
and it still applies today.

measures
All measurements are given in centimetres:
Width / Depth / Height
SIESTA NOBEL
High back / arm: W 72 D 83 H 100
High back: W 62 D 83 H 100
Low back / arm: W 72 D 80 H 81
Low back: W 62 D 80 H 81
SIESTA ICON
W 62 D 83 H 100
SIESTA FIORA
High back / arm: W 72 D 83 H 100
High back: W 62 D 83 H 100
Low back / arm: W 72 D 80 H 81
Low back: W 62 D 80 H 81
COX
W 72 D 36 H 77
SIESTA CLASSIC
High back / arm: W 72 D 85 H 103
High back: W 64 D 85 H 103
Low back / arm: W 72 D 80 H 85
Low back: W 64 D 80 H 85
OPTIMA
W 66 D 94 (158) H 112 (87)
SIESTA FOOTSTOOL
Nobel: W 62 D 51 H 46
Classic: W 61 D 51 H 48
Icon: W 61 D 51 H 46
Footstool: W 62 D 51 H 45

PRODUCT BY RYBO
LEATHER QUALITIES
Oddmund P. Rykken, educated by Lars Kinsarvik,
the founder of The Dragon Woodcarving Style,
presented at The Norwegian Art Museum, became
a very skilled craftsman. He started his own
production in 1918. As his son, Olav O. Rykken,
finished his education, the factory was expanded in
1933. Further factory extensions were made in 1954,
1960, 1967 and 1972.
Following The Second World War, the production
continued with good, long lasting relationship
and collaboration with many renowned interior
architects. This has since been a key issue for
Rybo. Organic forms came into focus in the 1950’s
followed by more dynamic forms during the 1960’s
and onwards. The technology of form pressed wood
in the furniture industry started in early 1960’s and
Rybo became a pioneer in this field by launching
the famous Kengu-chair, by Solheim Design, in the
first half of this decade.
Mr. Ingmar Relling worked closely with Vestlandske
Møbelfabrikk AS all his working life, while Rybo
had close collaboration with the designers Elsa
and Nordal Solheim. Good relationship with Mr.
Knut Relling, the son of Mr Ingmar Relling, after
the takeover, is a solid foundation of a continuing
market success of the most famous international
price award winner, Siesta.
The vision of Rybo is to continue focusing on top
design, quality and functionality together with
good handcraft. Rybo aims to become the leading
furniture manufacturer of internationally renowned
Norwegian classic chairs.
Aniline Leather has a grain which varies in
structure, with all the distinct features of the natural
hide, and offers outstanding comfort. This leather
is distinguishable by its extremely soft hand, rich,
even coloring, and pronounced pebble graining.
Only the highest premium Scandinavian hides are
used in the production of these hides.
Semi Anilin Leather has a sturdy structure and
distinct character. Rybo Semi Anilin Leather has
an extensive shade card. The leather is durable
and suitable for public areas. Visible insect-bites
and scars from healed wounds add to the elegant
character of the leather.
WOODEN QUALITIES
Oak - Natural UE
Oak - Varnish EN
Beech - Natural UB
Beech - Varnish BN
Beech - Stained adler BE
Beech - Stained teak BT
Beech - Stained cherry BK
Beech - Stained maghogany BM
Leather is by many recognized as the most
versatile of all natural materials available.
Only the leading manufacturers of exclusive
leather to the furniture industry qualify as Rybo
suppliers, holding environmental accreditation
in conformance with SS-EN ISO 14001-2004.
Beech - Stained rosewood BP
Beech - Stained black BS
All wooden materials incorporated in Rybo’s
production is PEFC and FSC certified beech and oak.

head office
Rybo As
Torpevegen 111
N-5610 Øystese
Norway
Tel: +47 56 55 51 00
Fax: +47 56 55 59 99
info@rybo.no
www.rybo.no