'Cansado' Daybed by Charlotte Perriand for Steph Simon, France - 1950s

Description

Designed by Charlotte Perriand around 1958, the 'Cansado' daybed is characterised by its low, horizontal construction and direct expression of materials. Closely arranged wooden slats form a continuous platform, supported by a black metal frame with rectangular feet. The contrast between the warmth of the wood and the precision of the metal structure emphasises the clarity of its construction. Designed as a versatile piece of furniture, the model could serve as a bench or daybed, with cushions added according to its intended use.

Charlotte Perriand (1903–1999) was a central figure in twentieth-century modernist design. After joining the studio of Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret in 1927, she contributed to a new understanding of furniture as an integral part of architecture and everyday life. Her later work, informed by collaborations with Jean Prouvé and her experiences in Japan, increasingly explored natural materials, adaptable furnishings and the relationship between living spaces and their occupants. The Cansado daybed emerged from this approach, developed for the Cité Cansado residential project in Mauritania, built for the mining company MIFERMA. Edited by Steph Simon, the design combines economical construction with the functional principles that remained central to Perriand's work.

GW4419