In the small village of Leis, Switzerland, there stand three villas designed by Peter Zumthor. Although they are built with the traditional Swiss construction method of timber wells, Zumthor’s design gives them a sophisticated twist. The leather chairs placed in the dining rooms have a unique side view. The back of the chair bulges out to fit the human body, providing soft and comfortable seating.

Today, the production process of furniture is highly mechanized, and it is rarely hand-sewn. While it is common to sew the cover with a zipper for upholstering, especially for complex-shaped furniture, this particular upholstery is sewn by hand. The stitches, carefully done by artisans using needles and threads, are shown on the outside as an essential design element, showcasing the production process. The underside of the seat is also upholstered by hammering brass nails into the same leather, one by one.

The chair is of a simple configuration, with a leather-upholstered seating and legs carved out from solid wood. However, it is the handcrafted process that gives the chair a remarkable impression. For the upholstery, Smooth leather [L2] with a natural texture was selected. Over time, the leather color would darken, naturally changing its look.