Iconic Chair Designers of the 20th Century

The chair is often taken for granted. Defined simply and concisely as a 'seat for one person,' the design possibilities are endless. The great chair and furniture designers of the 20th century took this simple construct and framework and challenged convention with their designs. Here is a timeline of great chair design and their designers.

Le Corbusier: LC4 Chaise Lounge (1928)

Also known as the relaxing machine, the LC4 was one of the earliest of the modernist designs to expose the furniture's structure as part of the design. This set the trend and the design still looks current, if not futuristic. The futuristic nature comes from the impression the chair is floating.

Le Corbusier: LC3 Sofa Armchair (1928)

Like the LC4, this design reverses the traditional form of furniture where the structure is hidden beneath fabric. The use of sleek tubular chrome makes the structure a design element without overwhelming the overall symmetry of the chair.
Mies Van Der Rohe: Barcelona chair (1929)

Along with Lilly Reich, Van Der Rohe created this chair for the German Pavilion at the International Exhibition in Barcelona. The design was for the king and queen of Spain and this "throne" deconstructed the key elements of a chair, but the material and structure was exquisitely produced.

Charles & Ray Eames: La Chaise Lounge (1948)

Made possible through a breakthrough in the fiberglass molding process this chair can only be described with one adjective: voluptuous. The industrial look of fiberglass shell is contrasted with the simple wood base. Despite the stark nature, the design is still comfortable to sit in.

Charles & Ray Eames: Plastic Armchair (1950)

The plastic chair is such a common sight these days it is hard to believe they did not once exist. This chair was an entry by the husband and wife design duo into the New York Museum of Modern Art's competition for low cost furniture.

Charles & Ray Eames: Lounge Chair (1956)

A classic since it was first produced this chair is masterwork of design, material and production. The molded plywood construction was the culmination of the Eameses' constant innovation and experimentation with plywood molding and construction. The chair is infinitely comfortable and the outer structure resembles a sort of exoskeleton that speaks to its comfort and strength.

Arne Jacobsen: Egg Chair (1958)

This chair is another design that foreshadows the futuristic space designs of the 60's. It is also highly functional and well-thought out. The high wings make it difficult to see and other immediately to one's side, so a swivel design was employed. This provides a sense of intimacy for atete a tete.

EeroAarnio: Ball Chair (1963)

The Ball/Globe Chair is such an icon of the 60's that it has almost become a cliché. That is a shame as the design is a real triumph in both design and comfort. By hollowing out a sphere he made a simple form into true function.

Frank Gehry: Wiggle Chair (1972)

The Wiggle Chair was a design breakthrough in two respects: first it used cardboard as the structural material and from a design standpoint defied the notion that a chair must have legs. Gehry of course is now known for his iconic architectural designs, but this chair foreshadows those designs in the way the artistry of the design is incorporated into the engineering.

Each of these chairs represents both a design, and manufacturing and materials innovation that still inspire designers today. Any home's design quotient would be raised considerably with any one of these examples in residence.