organic chair product brochure
Designed by
comfort, thanks to its comfortably upholstered, biomorphically shaped seat shell, and is also available in a version with a higher backrest: Organic Highback. Charles Eames and Eero Saarinen, two young, ambitious architects on the threshold of their
international careers, were both teaching at the famous Cranbrook Academy when MoMA launched its ‘Organic Design in Home Furnishings’ competition. The duo decided to submit a joint entry in the seating category, developing the idea of a
form-fitting and anthropomorphical- the Finnish architect Alvar Aalto. ly shaped seat shell that would offer also available in a version with a excellent comfort even without costly higher backrest: Organic Highback. upholstery. Eames and Saarinen wanted to make this shell from plywood – largely inspired by the laminated wooden furniture designed by
issue # one
Charles Eames and Eero Saarinen created the Organic Chair in 1940 as part of their entry for 'Organic Design in Home Furnishings', a competition organised by the Museum of Modern Art in New York. The small reading chair offers superb
1. Cover 2. Eero Sarrinen & Charles Eames 4. The Organic Chair 6. Chair for the Reader 8. The Organic Highback 10. About Vitra
product brochure
Eero Sarrinen & Charles Eames
Contents
organic chair
3
Sarrinen, Eames. Photo from left to right
2
Designed by
comfort, thanks to its comfortably upholstered, biomorphically shaped seat shell, and is also available in a version with a higher backrest: Organic Highback. Charles Eames and Eero Saarinen, two young, ambitious architects on the threshold of their
international careers, were both teaching at the famous Cranbrook Academy when MoMA launched its ‘Organic Design in Home Furnishings’ competition. The duo decided to submit a joint entry in the seating category, developing the idea of a
form-fitting and anthropomorphical- the Finnish architect Alvar Aalto. ly shaped seat shell that would offer also available in a version with a excellent comfort even without costly higher backrest: Organic Highback. upholstery. Eames and Saarinen wanted to make this shell from plywood – largely inspired by the laminated wooden furniture designed by
issue # one
Charles Eames and Eero Saarinen created the Organic Chair in 1940 as part of their entry for 'Organic Design in Home Furnishings', a competition organised by the Museum of Modern Art in New York. The small reading chair offers superb
1. Cover 2. Eero Sarrinen & Charles Eames 4. The Organic Chair 6. Chair for the Reader 8. The Organic Highback 10. About Vitra
product brochure
Eero Sarrinen & Charles Eames
Contents
organic chair
3
Sarrinen, Eames. Photo from left to right
2
4
5
ㅊPure Comfort
lasting popularity, which has seen significant growth over recent years. Developed as a joint project by Charles Eames and Eero Saarinen, the Organic Chair is considered one of the most seminal creations of
mid-century modern design – even if it is still relatively unknown by the general public. Conceived in 1940 for a furniture competition organised by the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the chair represents a
Chair Dimensions: Front & Side
Chair, which represents a further significant milestone in the designers’ careers and is a key work from development and refinement of the that entire era. Many of the later, seat shell principle. now iconic chair designs by Charles and Ray Eames – and also by Eero Saarinen – are conceptually and structurally based on this model. This is true of the Eames Plastic Chair and the related Wire Chair, and likewise applies to Saarinen’s Tulip Chair and his Womb Chair. Connections can even be drawn to the Eames Lounge
issue # one
der Girard, as well as Eero Saarinen, Harry Bertoia, Florence Knoll, Jens Risom and George Nakashima combined functionality with formal elegance to create a unique style in the 1940s and 1950s. Compared to the rather cold and austere look of early modernism, mid-century modern design has a more attractive and casual appearance suited to human needs. Its vibrant optimism catches the mood of our time, explaining its
product brochure
A Key Piece of Mid-century Modern Design Mid-century modern – this term stands for probably the most creative, and undoubtedly the best known and most influential era in the history of American design. The Organic Chair is a rediscovered early masterpiece from this period. Inspired by modern European furniture, American designers such as Charles und Ray Eames, George Nelson, Isamu Noguchi and Alexan-
organic chair
The Organic Chair
4
5
ㅊPure Comfort
lasting popularity, which has seen significant growth over recent years. Developed as a joint project by Charles Eames and Eero Saarinen, the Organic Chair is considered one of the most seminal creations of
mid-century modern design – even if it is still relatively unknown by the general public. Conceived in 1940 for a furniture competition organised by the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the chair represents a
Chair Dimensions: Front & Side
Chair, which represents a further significant milestone in the designers’ careers and is a key work from development and refinement of the that entire era. Many of the later, seat shell principle. now iconic chair designs by Charles and Ray Eames – and also by Eero Saarinen – are conceptually and structurally based on this model. This is true of the Eames Plastic Chair and the related Wire Chair, and likewise applies to Saarinen’s Tulip Chair and his Womb Chair. Connections can even be drawn to the Eames Lounge
issue # one
der Girard, as well as Eero Saarinen, Harry Bertoia, Florence Knoll, Jens Risom and George Nakashima combined functionality with formal elegance to create a unique style in the 1940s and 1950s. Compared to the rather cold and austere look of early modernism, mid-century modern design has a more attractive and casual appearance suited to human needs. Its vibrant optimism catches the mood of our time, explaining its
product brochure
A Key Piece of Mid-century Modern Design Mid-century modern – this term stands for probably the most creative, and undoubtedly the best known and most influential era in the history of American design. The Organic Chair is a rediscovered early masterpiece from this period. Inspired by modern European furniture, American designers such as Charles und Ray Eames, George Nelson, Isamu Noguchi and Alexan-
organic chair
The Organic Chair
Warm and Useful
The Organic Chair – a small and comfortable reading chair – was developed in several versions for the 1940 ‘Organic Design in Home Furnishings’ competition organised by the Museum of Modern Art in New York. With its sculptural shapes, the design was ahead of the times. But due to the absence of suitable manufacturing techniques, the armchair never went into production. Not until 1950 did it become possible to manufacture and market organically shaped seat shells in large quantities, as exemplified by Charles and Ray Eames's famous Plastic Armchair or Saarinen's Tulip Chair.
organic chair
7
issue # one
Chair for the Reader
product brochure
6
Warm and Useful
The Organic Chair – a small and comfortable reading chair – was developed in several versions for the 1940 ‘Organic Design in Home Furnishings’ competition organised by the Museum of Modern Art in New York. With its sculptural shapes, the design was ahead of the times. But due to the absence of suitable manufacturing techniques, the armchair never went into production. Not until 1950 did it become possible to manufacture and market organically shaped seat shells in large quantities, as exemplified by Charles and Ray Eames's famous Plastic Armchair or Saarinen's Tulip Chair.
organic chair
7
issue # one
Chair for the Reader
product brochure
6
1
2
3
Full Body Comfort
organic chair
arm rest ergonomic head rest 3 fluid lines encapsulate the bodies natural dimensions 1
2
Inspired by modern European furniture, American designers such as Charles und Ray Eames, George Nelson, Isamu Noguchi and Alexander Girard, as well as Eero Saarinen, Harry Bertoia, Florence Knoll, Jens Risom and George Nakashima
combined functionality with formal elegance to create a unique style in the 1940s and 1950s. Compared to the rather cold and austere look of early modernism, mid-century modern design has a more attractive and casual appearance suited to human
needs. Its vibrant optimism catches the mood of our time, explaining its lasting popularity, which has seen significant growth over recent years.
issue # one
Organic Highback is a sculptural armchair with a high backrest, defined by strikingly curved contours. Charles Eames and Eero Saarinen created the chair in 1940 as part of their entry for a competition organised by the Museum of Modern Art, entitled 'Organic Design in Home Furnishings'. Its generously upholstered seat shell offers excellent comfort in lobbies, lounges and waiting areas. The Organic Chair version has a lower backrest
9
product brochure
8
The Organic Highback
1
2
3
Full Body Comfort
organic chair
arm rest ergonomic head rest 3 fluid lines encapsulate the bodies natural dimensions 1
2
Inspired by modern European furniture, American designers such as Charles und Ray Eames, George Nelson, Isamu Noguchi and Alexander Girard, as well as Eero Saarinen, Harry Bertoia, Florence Knoll, Jens Risom and George Nakashima
combined functionality with formal elegance to create a unique style in the 1940s and 1950s. Compared to the rather cold and austere look of early modernism, mid-century modern design has a more attractive and casual appearance suited to human
needs. Its vibrant optimism catches the mood of our time, explaining its lasting popularity, which has seen significant growth over recent years.
issue # one
Organic Highback is a sculptural armchair with a high backrest, defined by strikingly curved contours. Charles Eames and Eero Saarinen created the chair in 1940 as part of their entry for a competition organised by the Museum of Modern Art, entitled 'Organic Design in Home Furnishings'. Its generously upholstered seat shell offers excellent comfort in lobbies, lounges and waiting areas. The Organic Chair version has a lower backrest
9
product brochure
8
The Organic Highback
1957
license to produce them, bringing Eames furniture to Europe in 1957 for the first time
1960
beginning of the 1960s, since Vitra started to cooperate with Verner Panton
1981
Vitra started a new project in 1981: The Vitra Campus should emerge in the following years and the work of the company would be expanded with more than only furniture production.
1984
Vitra owns the international rights of many design classics since 1984
Creating innovative products and concepts with great designers is Vitra’s essence. They are developed in Switzerland and installed worldwide by architects, companies and private users to build inspirational spaces for living, working as well as public areas. With its classics Vitra represents groundbreaking 20th century design. Today, in combining technical and conceptual expertise with the creativity of contemporary designers, Vitra seeks to continue pushing the boundaries of the design discipline.
Today Accessories, sculptures, objects for children and complete furnishing solutions are designed and produced by Vitra today.
11
organic chair
Vitra
founded by Willi and Erika Fehlbaum in 1950
issue # one
1950
product brochure
10
Design Company
1957
license to produce them, bringing Eames furniture to Europe in 1957 for the first time
1960
beginning of the 1960s, since Vitra started to cooperate with Verner Panton
1981
Vitra started a new project in 1981: The Vitra Campus should emerge in the following years and the work of the company would be expanded with more than only furniture production.
1984
Vitra owns the international rights of many design classics since 1984
Creating innovative products and concepts with great designers is Vitra’s essence. They are developed in Switzerland and installed worldwide by architects, companies and private users to build inspirational spaces for living, working as well as public areas. With its classics Vitra represents groundbreaking 20th century design. Today, in combining technical and conceptual expertise with the creativity of contemporary designers, Vitra seeks to continue pushing the boundaries of the design discipline.
Today Accessories, sculptures, objects for children and complete furnishing solutions are designed and produced by Vitra today.
11
organic chair
Vitra
founded by Willi and Erika Fehlbaum in 1950
issue # one
1950
product brochure
10
Design Company
www.vitra.com