MG501 Cuba Chair: A Favourite
The Carl Hansen & Søn MG501 Cuba Chair is a celebrated example of Danish modern design, conceived by renowned furniture designer Morten Gøttler in 1997. Although a relatively recent addition to the Danish design canon, the chair reflects the timeless principles of mid-century Scandinavian furniture: clean lines, functionality, and exceptional craftsmanship. It is one of our favourite chairs here at Aram.
The MG501 Cuba Chair was designed as a folding lounge chair that combines aesthetic simplicity with ergonomic comfort. Crafted from solid oak, soaped or oiled, with a seat and backrest made from hand-woven paper cord or webbing in natural or black, the chair is lightweight, easy to store, and suitable for both casual and refined spaces. Its form is defined by a gently curved wooden frame that supports the body in a relaxed, semi-reclined position, marrying style and practicality.
An outdoor version of the chair was added to the Carl Hansen & Søn collection in 2019. For the MG501 Outdoor Cuba Chair, the frame is untreated teak and it is woven with weather-resistant flat rope, coloured either sesame or charcoal. Over time, the teak will fade and patinate to a rich silver-grey.
Carl Hansen & Søn, a Danish furniture maker established in 1908, added the MG501 to its collection as part of its ongoing mission to preserve and promote Danish design heritage. The inclusion of Gøttler’s work reflects the company's commitment to both classic and contemporary craftsmanship. The MG501 has since become an icon of understated elegance, beloved for its versatile design and enduring quality, and it exemplifies the continuity of Danish design principles into the 21st century.
Morten Gøttler (b.1944) is known for creating designs with a rigorous expression that reflect his appreciation of materials and functionality in equal measure. Simple and obvious shapes, high quality craftsmanship and durable materials are the hallmarks of his designs. As a self-taught furniture designer, he learned about the materials’ properties through trial and error. The hallmarks of his style of design can be summed up in two words: complex simplicity. His design outlook is renowned for unifying comfort and function in an aesthetic whole with an eye for detail.
Since the mid-1980s, Gøttler has focused particularly on wooden furniture that interacts with other natural materials. He has managed to combine a predilection for high-quality craftsmanship with a belief that innovation and attention to detail can result in furniture with a clear, yet human style.