The first design of BA chair used sand-casting for the five components. There was a tapering T section, which was chosen for the leg components so that the greatest strength was at the seat area where it was most required. The tapering profile provided savings in weight and cost of materials and gave the chair a lighter appearance.
The chair was one of the first mass produced chair, with over 250,000 being made. The chair was also one of the exhibits in the ‘Britain Can Make It’ exhibition at the V& A in 1946.
Ernest Race’s first design for Race Furniture was the BA3. The factor influencing the design of the chair was the absence of wood at a time when all traditional materials were in short supply following the war.
