EIFFEL SIDE CHAIR

EIFFEL SIDE CHAIR3 INTERIOR DESIGN-2MONDANO, MARY LUTH M.IDR. TINA C. ILANO

Furniture & backgroundThe role of the designer is that of a very good, thoughtful host anticipating the needs of his guests.- Charles Eames

With this belief, the designers developed the Eiffel Side Chair, a simple, gracious form that fits anybody and any place.Fig. 1 Eiffel side chair used in a dining area

Furniture & background 1948 originally designed in metal, and entered as a prototype in MoMAs 1948 International Competition for Low-Cost Furniture Design1950 - Charles and Ray Eames presented their first successful single-shell form, the Molded Fiberglass Chairs 2001 This was reintroduced as the Molded Plastic Chair in polypropylene, due to environmental risks associated with fiberglass productionFig. 1 Eiffel side chair used in a dining area

194819502001Fig. 2 Prototype version Fig. 3 Molded Fiberglass ChairFig. 4 Molded Plastic Chairthe designers Charles Ormond Eames, Jr. (1907-1978) Bernice Alexandra Ray (Kaiser) Eames (1912-1988)

Were a married couple of designers who helped shaped Americas 20th CenturyKnown for their major contributions in architecture, furniture design, industrial design and manufacturing, and the photographic arts

Photo of Charles and Ry EamesCharles Eames born in St. Louis, Missouri briefly studied architecture at Washington University, and was dismissed for his advocacy of Frank Lloyd Wright 1929 married his first wife, Catherine Woermann (they divorced in 1941), and a year later Charless only child, Lucia was born 1930 - began working in an architectural office with Charles M. Gray 1938 received a fellowship from Cranbrook Academy of Art in Michigan, where he eventually became head of the design department 1940 together with Eero Saarinen, he won first prize for their joint entry in the competition 'Organic Design in Home Furnishings' organised by the New York Museum of Modern Art 1941 married his Cranbrook colleague Ray Keiser

Ray Eames born in Sacramento, California studied in Bennett Women's College in Millbrook, New York moved to New York City to study abstract expressionist painting with Hans Hofmann 1936 founded the American Abstract Artists group 1937 exhibited her work in the first show at the Riverside Museum in Manhattan 1940 began her studies at the Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan worked with Harry Bertoia, Eero Saarinen, Charles Eames and others on the display panels for the exhibition "Organic Furniture Competition" at Museum of Modern Art 1941 married Charles EamesCharles and ray eames 1941 to 1943 - Charles and Ray Eames designed and developed stretchers and leg splints made of moulded plywood 1946 - they exhibited their experimental moulded plywood furniture at the New York Museum of Modern Art. The Herman Miller Company in Zeeland, Michigan, subsequently began to produce the Eameses' furniture designs 1948 - 'Low-Cost Furniture' competition at MoMA 1949 - built the Eames House as their own private residence Charles and ray eames1955 - began to focus more on their extensive work as photographers and filmmakers 1964 - Charles received an honorary doctoral degree from the Pratt Institute in New York 1973 - MoMA presented an exhibition of the Eameses' work, entitled 'Furniture by Charles Eames 1978 Charles Eames died, and the Eames Office was disabled1988 Ray Eames died, 10 years after her husbandSemantic analysis Simple form sculpted to fit the bodys shape Seat resembles the curves of a turtle shell Intricate leg base reflecting the Eiffel Tower Base is not only striking visually, but also provides structural strength

Fig. 5 Axonometric view of the Eiffel Side ChairFig. 6 Front viewof the Eiffel Side ChairFig. 7 Side viewof the Eiffel Side ChairFig. 8 Back viewof the Eiffel Side ChairSyntactic analysisMATERIALS AND MANUFACTURINGEarly Production Zenaloy - polyester reinforced with fiberglass molded by hydraulic press by Zenith PlasticsNow Recyclable propylene shell Injection molded and batch-dyed Beech/Walnut Legs; or Black or white powder-coated or chrome-plated steel base

Fig. 9 Silhouette of the Eiffel Side Chairpragmatic analysis Classic and timeless Modern and simple, but also elaborate and ornate Very versatile and style-encompassingCan be used in different types of setting:dining rooms, living rooms office workspaces,from restaurants and cafs to break rooms and cafeterias, waiting areas, etc.

W 18 x D 21 x H 31.75 x SH 18.25

Fig. 10 General Dimensions of the Eiffel Side Chair (DSR) Fig. 11 General Dimensions of the Eiffel Side Chair (DSW) Parts & detailsseat Recyclable propylene shell Moldable Tactile Suitable for industrial manufacturing methods therefore easily mass-produced Deep seat pocket and waterfall seat edge Perfect ergonomic design

Fig. 12 Front view of the propylene shell used for the seat of the Eiffel Side ChairFig. 13 Axonometric view of the propylene shell used for the seat of the Eiffel Side Chair

Parts & Detailsleg base DSW (Dining chair, Side chair, Wood/Dowel-Leg base)

DSR (Dining chair, Side chair, Rod/Wire base)

Fig. 14 Wood/Dowel-Leg base of the Eiffel Side Chair Fig. 15 Rod/Metal leg base of the Eiffel Side Chair

SummaryThe Eames Eiffel Chair is an example of a perfectly designed chair. It is not only aesthetically pleasing, it also provides the best comfort with its ergonomic shape.Charles and Ray Eames anticipation of the needs of the users proved effective. The chair is so versatile, it can be used in so many different types of setting.With the careful consideration for Low Cost Furniture Design, it is no wonder that the chair is still being used up to now, decades after its premier.

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REFERENCEsFitoussi, B. (2004).Eames : Furniture 1941-1978. New york: Assouline.Kirkham, P. (1998).Designers of the 21st century(pp. 197-199). Boston: MIT press.Neuhart, J., & Eames, R. (1989).Eames design : The work of the Office of Charles and Ray Eames(pp. 227-230). New york: Assouline. http://www.eamesoffice.comhttp://www.vitra.com/en-au/http://www.hermanmiller.com