To mark Verner Panton’s centenary, Vitra and Verner Panton Design AG revisit the work of the visionary architect and designer whose fearless use of color, form and imagination continues to shape the way we experience modern interiors
Some designers create timeless objects. Verner Panton reimagined the way people experience space. Widely regarded as one of the 20th century’s most influential designers, the Danish visionary rejected convention, replacing rigid forms with flowing silhouettes, vibrant colors and interiors that invited people to engage with their surroundings in new ways. One hundred years after his birth, that philosophy feels as relevant as ever.
To commemorate the milestone, Vitra joins Verner Panton Design AG and the Vitra Design Museum in celebrating the designer’s centenary with a curated collection of anniversary editions, reissued classics and updated material finishes. More than a retrospective, the collection demonstrates how Panton’s ideas continue to shape contemporary furniture and interior design.
New Classics
Panton’s partnership with Vitra produced one of the 20th century’s most recognizable furniture designs: the Panton Chair. After years of experimentation, it debuted in 1967 as the world’s first cantilever chair molded from a single piece of material. Its seamless silhouette challenged conventional furniture design, becoming an icon that still feels remarkably progressive today.
That same spirit runs throughout the anniversary collection. Beyond their visual appeal, each piece reflects Panton’s belief that furniture should transform the atmosphere of a room and encourage interaction.
The Heart Cone Chair captures that philosophy perfectly. With its sculptural, heart-shaped backrest and generous proportions, it balances bold expression with everyday comfort. Originally developed from the earlier Cone Chair, the design returns in a limited Anniversary Edition featuring contrasting shades of blue that bring fresh visual energy to its unmistakable silhouette.
Equally compelling is the Living Tower, one of Panton’s most ambitious creations. Standing more than two meters tall, the upholstered structure invites people to sit, recline and gather across multiple levels. Existing somewhere between furniture and architecture, it reflects Panton’s vision of interiors as dynamic environments rather than static arrangements of objects.
The celebration also realizes one of the designer’s unrealized ambitions. Although Panton envisioned a mirrored version of his famous chair in the early 1970s, the technology simply did not exist. Today, Vitra in close collaboration with Verner Panton Design AG brings that idea to life with the Panton Chair Classic Gold. An intricate metallization process transforms the familiar silhouette into a luminous statement piece. Limited to 999 examples, it demonstrates how innovation continues to drive the evolution of Panton’s work.
Enduring Vision
Not every design in the collection is monumental. The playful Panton Cubes reveal another side of the designer’s creativity, allowing users to build sculptural compositions of four animals (duck, cat, flamingo, giraffe) that blur the line between art object, sculpture and toy. Like much of Panton’s work, they encourage participation rather than passive observation.
Together, the centenary collection reaffirms why Verner Panton remains one of design’s most enduring innovators. His work was never simply about creating beautiful furniture. It challenged convention, embraced experimentation and demonstrated that everyday objects could evoke emotion as readily as function.
A century after his birth, those ideas continue to resonate. Through this centenary celebration, Vitra honors a designer whose vision of the future still shapes the way we live today. Discover the collection at MOIEHAUS.
Text Anindya Devy