Why Architects Turn to Chair Design

Eero Saaarinen, Frank Gehry, these are two names associated with architecture that have also made significant contributions to modern design furniture. In fact, it seems that just about every notable architect has dipped his or her toes into furniture and designed a chair. Chairs allow architects the opportunity to incorporate their techniques and style into a different type of medium, at least according to a book titled Chairs by Architects by art historian Agata Toromanoff.

The Chairs by Architects book is packed with notable pieces by some of the most well-known names in modern design furniture. Alvar Aalto’s No. 41 lounge chair (also known as the Paimio Chair) is among the many featured. Intriguingly, the chair was originally designed with the intention of being used at the Paimio Sanatorium in Southwest Finland. The chair debuted back in 1931 and is still being manufactured by Finnish furniture company Artek to this day.

In some cases, architects have arguably become more famous for their furniture design work than their building architecture. Take for example husband wife team Charles and Ray Eames. The Eames Lounge Chair is among the most widely acclaimed pieces of modern design furniture and much like Aalto’s work, it is still in production more than fifty years after its was unveiled.

This update is provided by CA Modern Home, offering an extensive selection of modern home furniture by respected brands and designers like those under the Herman Miller brand, including Charles & Ray Eames.  Call us at 1-800-605-1859 for any sales inquiries or more information on furniture by Eames, George Nelson, and the many other iconic designers.