Tulip Chair
Designed by:
Saarinen E
Co-Designed by:
-
Designer:
Eero Saarinen
Co-Designer:
-
Country of Origin (Designer):
USA
Date of Design:
1955-57
Date of Manufacture:
1958
Decade:
1950s
Region:
Americas
Significance:
Pedestal base
Manufacturer:
Knoll Associates
Country of Origin (Manufacturer):
USA
Material:
Polyester
Process:
Pressure moulded
Monobloc:
No
Cantilever:
No
Renewable Carbon:
No
ERPR Score:
NA
ERPR Rating:
NA
Weight:
Note:
The elegant, organic Tulip chairs were the result of Eero Saarinen’s (see the 70s Series above) search to eliminate clutter. The original idea was to produce the chairs competley in plastic however fibreglass reinforced polyester proved insufficiently strong enough to support the weight of a sitter. Saarinen solved this problem by making the base out of hollow cast aluminum. Great attention was given to matching the finish on the two surfaces and developing the join between the base and the seat to give the impression the chair was formed in a single piece (as originaly planned). This is pehaps the first example of a material being disguised to loo like plastic, demonstrating growing consumer acceptance for synthetics. An upholsterd removable cushion was added to enhance comfort. The design process took well over two years. The Tulip sereis is also noteworthy for the fact it was Saarinen’s last furniture project introduced, shortly before his untimely death, in 1961.
Image Credit:
Knoll