Chair Database
La Chaise
Designed by:
Eames C
Co-Designed by:
Eames R
Designer:
Charles Eames
Co-Designer:
Ray Eames
Date of Design:
1948
Date of Manufacture:
1991
Decade:
1940s
Region:
Americas
Significance:
Designed in the 1950s but production technology took 40 years to catch up
Manufacturer:
Vitra
Material:
Polyurethane
Process:
Pressure moulded
Monobloc:
No
Cantilever:
No
Renewable Carbon:
No
Weight:
Note:
Country of origin: USA (designer), Switzerland (manufacturer)
Image: Vitra. Charles and Ray Eames
originally designed La Chaise as an entry to the 1948 MoMA International Competition for Low-Cost Furniture Designs. Unlike the accompanying Plastic chair designs La Chaise failed to win a prize or to make it into production – simply proving too costly to manufacture using the original polyester fibreglass proposed. Indeed, neither of the designers would live to see the production version of their creation, finally introduced by Vitra, in 1991. La Chaise is now made from two separate polyurethane shells of generous proportions with a white lacquer finish, bonded together on a chrome plated tubular steel base with natural oak feet. While designed to encourage a range of sitting and reclining positions La Chaise is often featured as a sculpture in suitably large dwellings.