Water Tower, a low lying lounge chair made from reclaimed timbers of a New York City water tower, by Bellboy. Photo by Joshua Dalsimer.

620 Chair Programme, by Dieter Rams, 1962.

Dieter Rams wanted to create a piece of upholstered furniture that was sumptuously comfortable but also visually light. The result, in 1962, was the 620 Chair Programme for Vitsœ. The seating is an adaptable kit of parts. Whether it is the simple interchangeability of castors for feet (available for hard or soft floors) or their replacement with a swivel base, it constantly surprises. A low back can be replaced with a high back; an arm can be removed so that another chair, or two, or three can be added to make a sofa that is as long as you need.

Add to this removable upholstery, and you have a design classic that was officially described as a work of art in 1973.