Furniture Designed by Architects

Charles and Ray Eames Charles studied engineering and architecture at Washington University, then later began working at the Cranbrook Academy of Art. This is where he met Ray, and they married in 1941. Moving to California, they continued Charles’ work on molding plywood to create unique furniture designs. During the Second World War, they were commissioned to make molded plywood splints and stretchers. The famous Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman are the only products that were designed with a high-end market in mind. These were released in 1956,and are still immensely popular today. Genuine versions of this luxury chair set sell for around $5,000!   Mies van der Rohe Another well known chair from a modernist architect is the Barcelona chair. This piece of furniture was designed by Mies for the Barcelona Pavilion, at the 1929 International Exposition. This chair can be spotted in many locations, including lots of films: Casino Royale, The Legacy of Tron and Iron Man. The official chair from Knoll costs around $5,700.     Eero Saarinen Saarinen was brought into the world surrounded by design, with both his parents in design orientated professions. Eero began by working for his father in furniture design, followed by a sculpture course in Paris, and finally enrolling in the Yale Architecture program.  A partnership with Charles Eames led to the pair winning the 1940 Organic Design in Home Furnishings Competition, putting them both at the forefront of modern furniture design. Eero worked for Knoll, producing many famous pieces of furniture, such as the Tulip chairs and tables, the womb chair and 70 series seating collection.