Art & Architecture Library: Furniture Collection

Furniture Collection

The library is fortunate to house a large collection of chairs by some of the most influential architects in the 20th century from Charles and Ray Eames to Mario Botta. We encourage students to have a hands on understanding of their construction by using the collection as functional seating in the library. 

The chair collection is a part of the larger Library of Material Culture.

Eames La Chaise

Molded 2 part Fiberglass (later Injection molded Polyurethane), chromed steel, oak.

Charles and Ray Eames, 1948


Further Reading

The world of Charles and Ray Eames

Eames design : the work of the Office of Charles and Ray Eames

The Herman Miller collection

Red and Blue Chair

Red and Blue Chair

Wooden art chair, red high back, navy seat, black arms

Gerrit Thomas Rietveld, 1917


Further Reading

The furniture of Gerrit Thomas Rietveld

Rietveld's universe

The complete Rietveld furniture

The Work of G. Rietveld, architect.

 

Paimio Armchair no. 41

Paimio Armchair no. 41

Continuous rectangular forms of laminated birch form the frame with the seat composed of a single sheet of bent plywood finished in black lacquer.

Alvar Aalto, 1930


Further Reading

Alvar Aalto furniture

Alvar & Aino Aalto : design

Alvar Aalto : the mark of the hand

Barstool with backrest

Beech plywood 

Alvar Aalto, 1933


Further Reading

Alvar Aalto furniture

Alvar & Aino Aalto : design

Alvar Aalto : the mark of the hand

Barcelona Chair

Barcelona Chair

Chrome on steel frame with leather cushions filled with foam.
Ludwig Mies van Der Rohe and Lilly Reich, 1929


Further Reading

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe & Lilly Reich : furniture and interiors

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe : furniture and furniture drawings

La Tonda Chair

La Tonda Chair

Black steel chair with perforated seat and rounded tubular back.

Mario Botta, 1987


Further Reading

Mario Botta : the complete works

Chairs by architects

Eames DCM (Dining Chair Metal)

Eames DCM (Dining Chair Metal)

Wood seat and back with metal legs and frame. 

Charles Eames, 1946


Further Reading

The world of Charles and Ray Eames

Eames design : the work of the Office of Charles and Ray Eames

The Herman Miller collection

Kingswood School Auditorium Chair

Kingswood School Auditorium Chair

Metal frame with navy fabric seat.

Eliel Saarinen, 1929


Further Reading

A quiet grandeur : the architectural drawings of Eliel Saarinen

Eliel Saarinen : projects 1896-1923

E1027 Adjustable Table

Chrome and glass

Eileen Gray, 1927


Further Reading

Eileen Gray

Eileen Gray: Her Life and Work

Diamond Chair

Diamond Chair

Welded steel rods, Bonded Rilsan, foam and Chain Link fabric

Harry Bertoia, 1952


Further Reading

The World of Bertoia

Bertoia: the Metalworker

Ply Lounge Chair

Ply Lounge Chair

Molded five-ply seat and back, with eight-ply legs and back brace.

Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller, 1925


Further Reading

Herman Miller: The Purpose of Design

The Design of Herman Miller

The world of Charles and Ray Eames

DAR

DAR "Eiffel" Chair

White plastic shell on black Eiffel metal base.

Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller, 1950


Further Reading

The world of Charles and Ray Eames

Eames design : the work of the Office of Charles and Ray Eames

The Herman Miller collection

C'esca Chair

LC4 Chaise Lounge

Tubular chrome frame, lacquered steel, leather upholstered mattress and foam headrest. 

Le Corbusier, 1928


Further Reading

Le Corbusier, My Work

Akari UF3-S floor lamp

Akari Light Sculpture UF3-S 

handmade washi paper, bamboo ribbing, tubular metal frame.

Isamu Noguchi, 1951


Further Reading

Isamu Noguchi

Isamu Noguchi: Archaic / Modern