Cassina LC3 Leather Armchair: A Modern Lounge Chair That Reveals 'Structure' by Separating Metal Frame and Cushion
Rigid Frame, Loose Cushion
The Cassina LC3 Leather Armchair reveals the separation of 'frame (structure)' and 'cushion (inhabitation)', allowing you to experience a design principle beyond a simple lounge chair. While commonly known as a 1928 design, Cassina formally reproduced and established it within their production system from the mid-1960s onwards. Today, there is also a trend of restoring and introducing the original French name instead of the LC abbreviation. To get a firsthand impression of the product, it's helpful to check the basic look at the product purchase page.
How Cassina Handles 'Icons'
Cassina is a brand with strong editorial vision in 're-issuing' 20th-century modernist furniture. In particular, the furniture of Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, and Charlotte Perriand has been curated with emphasis on authenticity, premised on collaboration with rights holders and foundations. Cassina clearly states that it secured exclusive production rights for these models in 1964 and established a full-scale mass production system from 1965 onwards. This context can be confirmed in Cassina authenticity, iMaestri Collection.
1928 Concept, 1965 Production
The LC3 (Grand Confort series) is an extension of the 'Fauteuil Grand confort' designed through collaboration between Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, and Charlotte Perriand in 1928. This is why this chair group is classified as a 1928 design in museum collection records (MoMA collection). Meanwhile, Cassina explains on their product page that the '3 Fauteuil Grand Confort, grand modèle' has been re-edited and produced since 1965, and that the separation of metal structure and cushion aligns with rationalist logic (Cassina product note). Charlotte Perriand's recollection of this as a 'cushion basket' also precisely captures the essence of the form (Fondation Le Corbusier).
Design Points: The User Experience Created by 'Outer Structure'
First, the frame is positioned like an outer cage rather than an inner skeleton, so the sense of 'cushion resting within the structure' is clear the moment you sit down. Thanks to this, the support system, usually hidden in sofas and armchairs, is fully revealed, and changes like leather wrinkles, volume, and elasticity become the design's expression instead. Second, as the cushions are composed of independent elements, pressure distribution across the back, seat, and armrests is intuitive. A sense of volume contrasts with the rigid frame, and this contrast creates the product's 'modern' impression. Third, with extended use, the condition of the cushion and covering maintenance directly affect the chair's condition. Therefore, the LC3 aligns well with Cassina's philosophy of icon management: "structure lasts long, while the surface is renewed."
Installation Example
The customer installation was completed on December 3, 2025. With a chrome-series frame and graphite-tone leather combination, the metal's clarity was perceived first while the leather filled in density from behind. With abundant filling material, the seat felt closer to 'slightly enveloping' rather than gripping firmly, and the coldness was neutralized depending on surrounding materials (rug, wood, fabric).
What Kind of Space Suits It
The LC3 is suited for homes that want to bring 'structure logic' into the space rather than using furniture as decoration. In a spacious living room, it works well as a standalone lounge chair without being overwhelming, and in a study or lounge corner, the metal frame organizes lines and cleanly supports surrounding objects. The leather finish leaves traces on the surface over time, making it naturally suited for users who enjoy managing and appreciating use marks rather than perfection of newness.
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