The son of an abstract painter, Maarten Van Severen (1956-2005) studied architecture at Ghent art school; he completed three years before going to work on interior design and furniture projects, then in 1986 started to make furniture. The first piece, a long and slender steel table, has since been recreated as an aluminium model, which has been further refined over the years. In 1989 he produced his first wooden table: long, slim and pure in form. In 1990 he turned his attention to chairs. Vitra produced the first industrially produced chair by Maarten Van Severen, the .03 - this chair was novel in its combination of visually austere form with high-level seating comfort. Kartell produces Van Severen’s LCP Chaise ('Low Chair Plastic') a sculptural loop of clear or brightly coloured methacrylate joined with rubber buffers to allow gentle movement.