The era from the 1950’s to the 1970’s in modern design was a time of experimentation. Designers such as Charles and Ray Eames designed furniture with materials such as plywood and plastic, which was attractive and also affordable for the middle class. Eero Saarinen was another famous designer from this era. His designs brought the Scandinavian style to the United States. One of his best known pieces was the Womb Chair. Manufacturers like Knoll and Herman Miller emerged during this era. They specialized in modern office furniture and equipment. This was where we were introduced to pieces such as the Eames Lounge Chair and the Marshmallow Sofa.
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| Eero Saarinen Tulip table and chairs |
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| Eames Lounge Chair |
Current Applications:
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Eames Furniture in current application
Artist, Lianne Nixon illustrates interiors inspired by Charles and Ray Eames
REALLY COOL! Check it out here:
https://www.itsnicethat.com/articles/lianne-nixon-illustration-100217
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One step further…
Joseph Eichler was a real estate developer from the 1950’s and 1960’s who designed tract housing, mainly in California. During his time, he designed and built over 11,000 homes. He used a post and beam system, open floor plans, glass walls, and concrete floors. His designs are recognizable by the low slope A-frame roofs that he used. The homes were affordable and considered “Frank Lloyd Wright for the middle class”. Eichler’s company went on to collaborate with other firms and build smaller homes that they nicknamed “Eichlers”.
Joseph Eichler held community integrated parks and community centers at a high value. He had a “no discrimination” policy, meaning that he sold houses to anyone, no matter their race or religion, which unfortunately was something that the National Association of Home Builders couldn’t get on board with. Joseph Eichler was a visionary and a very influential builder of modern homes.
Extra Credit Youtube Video:
Andrew and Drewry Wolf would describe their home as “light, uplifting, and relaxing”. Their updated Eichler home is most certainly that. Built in 1964, the Wolf’s home is very true to the original design and intent to Eichler, while updated to meet the demands and needs of today. Certain elements such as the globe lights throughout the home, the wood room divider that now hangs above the fireplace, and the wood beams and ceiling panels, are original to the home that Eichler built. Of course, updates had to be done. The ceiling and beams were painted white to combat the uneven finish of the beams and ceiling panels.
The home has excellent natural light that comes through the windows facing the open air atrium, as well as the upper windows within the a-frame roof. The Wolf family added their own design elements as well. To give the feeling of flow from the inside to the outside, the same tile found in the interior is also used in the atrium. Outside, the family uses an original Eames table from the 60’s for outdoor eating.
I found the information that you found very interesting in particular the information in the extra credit section. I agree that these houses have wonderful natural light and it is so beautiful how the outside is brought in to the interior.
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ReplyDeleteOlivia, I think it was interesting how Eero Saarinen didn't just come to America but brought something with him to influence design. I also find it interesting how Joseph Eichler from your one step further wasn't an architect but still influenced the architecture in mid-century modernism greatly.
ReplyDeleteExcellent summary and images! Saarinen and Eames furniture is as popular today as ever. If you notice they are in the sets of many TV shows and movies.
ReplyDeleteYour material and extra credit video on Eichler were just great! I agree with Simi that it is neat that a building who wan't an architect but had so much influence on architecture from this time.