Eames Lounge Chair Wood

The Eames Lounge Chair Wood (LCW), also known as the Eames Plywood   Lounge Chair and Low Chair Wood, is perhaps the most successful and   recognized design from the design team of husband and wife Charles and Ray   Eames.  The chair was named Best Design   of the 20th Century by Time Magazine.    Die Zeit justified his judgment by saying, “Eames took technology   developed to meet a war need (for rails) and used it to create something   elegant, light and comfortable.  Much   copied but never improved.  “LCW,   groundbreaking in many ways, introduced molded plywood as a new material for   furniture manufacturing.  It brought   many new possibilities to both designers and manufacturers and changed the   world of furniture design forever.

story

The chair’s history dates back to 1941 when Charles Eames and Eero   Saarinen, a Finnish-American architect and industrial designer, entered a   furniture group made from molded plywood in the Museum of Modern Art’s   “Organic Design in Home Furnishings” competition to explore the   natural world Developing furniture in response to the rapidly changing   world.  After the competition, Charles   and Ray continued experimenting with plywood designs and molding techniques   in the guest room of their own apartment.    Their discoveries led to an order from the US Navy and the US Air   Force to develop rails, stretchers and glider shells.  The splints used compound curves to mimic   the shape of the human leg.  The   experience of shaping plywood into compound curves was instrumental in the   development of the Lounge Chair Wood.    The final design of the LCW came into the spotlight in 1946.  The mass-produced, functional, and elegant,   yet affordable chair was an instant hit in the post-war United States.  It has been in continuous production since   the year it was launched and is still available today under the Herman Miller   brand.

design

The high level of comfort of the chair is due to its unique shape,   which is adapted to the curvatures of the human body.  The shape of the LCW has gained worldwide   recognition and has been praised by design critics.  The molding process gives the plywood a   gently curved, inviting look.  The   plywood used to manufacture the backrest and seat shell consists of five   lightweight veneer panels with hardwood inner layers.  The back and legs are made of 8-ply plywood   for extra strength.  Dry plywood sheets   are laid alternately together with those covered with glue.  Layer sheets are then pressed into the   desired shape.  Customers can choose   between white ash, ebonized ash, natural cherry, birch, walnut and Santos   rosewood veneers.  The base of the   chair is available in either the plywood or the steel version.  The latter consists of welded,   chrome-plated bent steel tubes.  In   both variants, the frame resembles a hyena, with the front legs longer than   the back legs.  The rubber damper   mounts, another item on the couple’s inventions list, are located between the   frame, backrest and seat, allowing the chair to adjust to the position of the   user.  The chair leans back slightly   and suggests a pleasant, relaxing feeling.    To reach the absolute heights of comfort and relaxation, customers can   order their Eames Plywood Lounge Chairs, which are upholstered with a foam   that can be upholstered in a variety of different fabrics and supple   leathers.

The Eames Lounge Chair Wood was designed to furnish homes for   soldiers who returned from the fronts of World War II.  He has neither aged nor become banal.  It still looks fresh and   contemporary.

This piece of furniture is a perfect combination of amazing shape   and extraordinary functionality.