Production impressions

Rising to the challenge
The Abbey chair family is a testament to the expertise of over 140 years of Horgenglarus craftsmanship: an in-depth understanding of the ergonomics of good seating, the gentle steaming and bending of wood, the artful processing of curved shapes, the precise approach to assembly, and careful finishing through to the last detail.

Now something new has been added to the mix, because Abbey has challenged us and pushed us to our limits – and beyond. The requirements surrounding its shape and the complexity of its lines put our skills to the test, took us to the edge of what is possible and gave us an opportunity to grow.

Bernhard Aebi’s design was developed in close collaboration with our prototype builder Pietro Pulieri. The entire process of development remained analogue throughout: every line, curve and transition was created in direct dialogue with the material. Dozens of prototypes were built until the three Abbey models – a chair, an armchair and a three-legged bar stool – were consistent in their autonomy, proportions and dimensions. 

One key design goal was to create an ultra-slim seat frame that was as narrow as structurally possible without the need for additional stabilising elements. It is an homage to the Vienna chair, whose slender frame Horgenglarus once reinforced to 65 mm to make the stabilising ring of the original superfluous. A new type of screw connection was developed for the Abbey, which makes it possible to reduce the frame to just 38 mm without compromising on stability. This not only gives the chair a visual sense of lightness but also significantly reduces its overall weight.

The high level of comfort offered by the backrests is due to their two-part design with different angles of inclination, both for sitting upright and leaning back in a relaxed position. The armrests are shaped in such a way that your arms can rest comfortably on the table and backrest when seated. The angles and radii are consistently chosen so the shape feels completely natural and comfortable – with no edges to hamper the experience.

Even if Abbey seems to have a graphic, straightforward appearance at first glance, No edge finishes the same way as it begins. Lines twist, turn or dissolve into soft curves. The combination of round and angular cross-sections and the asymmetrical arrangement of the angles presented a real challenge.

To realise these complex shapes, Horgenglarus combines its craftsmanship with state-of-the-art manufacturing technology. Our latest CNC-controlled milling machine, which has been installed in our factory since summer 2025 and is the first of its kind in Switzerland, plays a key role here. It is able to carve complex, twisting, organic curves from the material directly. Programming the components for the Abbey was an exercise in technical excellence in itself: every milling path and transition was tested in countless iterations until each part accurately reflected the design – reproducible, error-free and perfectly shaped. The product that emerges from the machine’s precise mechanism then requires master craftsmanship. The utmost care, precision and experience are essential when it comes to sanding complex shapes.

After years of in-depth development, the construction of countless prototypes and the translation of the findings into a process ready for series production, we are proud not only to unveil a new chair family in the form of Abbey but also to have set new standards for what our factory can achieve.