Audo Copenhagen Oda Lounge Chair

The Audo Copenhagen Oda Lounge Chair has one of those fascinating backstories that reveals how design history sometimes gets things wrong before setting the record straight. Originally called Model 9 when Arnold Madsen created it around 1956, this chair spent decades mistakenly credited to Nanna Ditzel before finally being rightfully attributed to Madsen in 2020. What makes this design so compelling is Madsen's unusual path to furniture design - he was a Danish upholsterer who lived as a cowboy and rodeo rider in Canada before returning to Denmark and co-founding Madsen & Schubell in 1945. That unconventional background shows in the Oda's experimental construction with its complex horseshoe shape that wraps around you like a cocoon. The integrated wooden armrests flow seamlessly into the curved back, and there's this molded lumbar and neck support that makes extended sitting surprisingly comfortable without feeling overly structured or rigid. The design was considered highly ambitious when it first appeared - using a welded steel frame joined to bent plywood with fixed armrests inside the shell was pretty revolutionary for mid-century furniture.

What's interesting about the Oda is how it manages to feel both sculptural and genuinely functional for everyday use. The horseshoe back creates this embracing sensation where you feel enclosed without being trapped, perfect for reading or just zoning out after a long day. The chair was reconstructed from a vintage model since no original drawings survived, which meant Audo Copenhagen had to rely on reverse-engineering an existing piece to maintain the design integrity. That reconstruction required serious craftsmanship, especially evident in the intricate upholstery work where layers of foam, felt, quilt foam, and pocket springs come together to create comfort that holds up over time. You can choose between natural oak or walnut for the turned wooden legs, both with oil finishes that protect while showcasing the wood grain. Upholstery options range from Hallingdal 65's durable wool-viscose blend to various leather choices that develop character as they age. The chair also pairs with a matching three-legged ottoman if you want to create a complete lounging setup. Despite its cocooned shape, the Oda doesn't dominate a room visually - it has presence without demanding to be the only focal point.

Audo Copenhagen brings this piece back into production as part of their commitment to rescuing significant Danish Modern designs that fell off the radar despite their quality and innovation. Arnold Madsen represents one of those underrecognized figures from the golden age of Danish design who didn't study architecture or train formally as a furniture designer, yet created some of the era's most experimental work. He was quiet and didn't promote himself loudly, which is partly why his designs like the Clam Chair from 1944 were also misattributed to Philip Arctander for years before being properly credited. Madsen focused obsessively on round forms and elegant construction, creating furniture that was light and carefully upholstered yet stable and comfortable. Audo Copenhagen honors that pioneering approach by maintaining the construction standards and material quality that made Madsen's work special, ensuring the Oda Lounge Chair delivers the same innovative comfort today that caught collectors' attention when Noritsugu Oda rediscovered it in the 1980s and gave it the name we use now.