Ten Great Buildings Designed by Al Beadle
• The Executive Towers Condominium. Constructed in 1963, this building was originally the tallest skyscraper erected in the city of Phoenix, Arizona. There are a total of 22 stories and 160 individual residences within the complex. Rigid angles are a prevalent feature in the design of this rectangular building. A wide strip of grey concrete runs vertically down each side of the building and separates the balconies from one another. Materials included in constructing the outer interface of the building include modular stone, cast concrete, glass mosaic tiles, and ruddy volcanic stone. Other notable features in the architectural layout include the “Beadle Ball” lamps that line the walkways, umbrella shaped concrete coverings to provide a shady spot near the pool area, and a circular rose garden with a white wall that surrounds about 3/4ths of the garden. The swimming pool is shaped like a cross. Lastly, the dimensions of the whole building come out to be 1165 by 2732 square feet.
• The Three Fountains Condominiums. Obscured by palm trees and various bushes, this residential building was constructed in 1963. A total of 59 town homes that are each 1024 in square footage with two bedrooms and one and a half bathrooms comprise of the complex’s acreage. A washer and dryer plus a large private patio are additional features to the homes. Floors are concrete and the veneers are composed of Maple wood. Many shaded pathways with translucent plastic coverings and wooden frames surround the residences, as well as “Beadle Ball” lights. In front of the Three Fountains sign is a geyser fountain with three nozzles that spray flowing bursts of water. The colored vertical strips of glass that decorate the building’s exterior give life to its appearance.
• Camelback Place. This is a group of 14 residences that are 1632 in square footage. The entire building plan was finished in 1973. Each residence includes two bedrooms with a loft, two bathrooms, a patio, a balcony, a spiral staircase, and a two-car garage with a cactus plant in a ceramic bowl situated in the front. A gray steel cylindrical light is attached to the garage’s front wall. The exterior is made of white marble and the iron-gate for entering each residence is tall, black, and narrow.
• The Boardwalk Condominiums. A long platform with five white steps rising up on each side features the number 4225 that indicates the address of the Boardwalk housing complex. White posted walkways with “Beadle ball” lights aligned parallel to their paths feature prominently among the 805 square foot residencies. Some walkways even have a black, filtered covering for protection against the sun. Each condo includes two bedrooms, a bathroom, and a garden path in the front. Glass doors and walls, and painted brick walls make up the exterior and interior designs of the homes, as well as a backyard that has a wall surrounding it for privacy. A recreational swimming pool puts the finishing touches on the Boardwalk’s layout.
• The P.S. Studios Office. This office building was once Al Beadle’s own architectural studio. The Mountain Bell Building was being constructed across the street from this office and Beadle wanted to oversee its progress. It is now a graphic design and advertising company. As for the design of the P.S. Studios Office, it is a metal building with mirrored glass panes. The panes have linear designs such as grid lines, and diagonal lines to maintain a slick and modern feel. The front of the building includes a walkway surrounded by a white wall. This walkway leads down to the basement, which serves as the building’s entrance. To the right of the walkway is a maroon red steel fence that has a tree planted inside. Piles of rocks serve as the front, side, and back lawn for this building.
• 4450 N. 12th Street. Currently serving as a business for landscape architecture, this building makes use of shapes and lines, particularly squares and diagonal lines. The sides of the building contain either 14 or 16 white squares lined in a row each with a mirrored diagonal line inside that runs parallel to each adjacent square. The two squares in the middle form a “V” with their diagonal lines, as their slope changes direction. A covered parking lot with concrete posts is a part of the building’s composition. The lawn contains mostly grass that rises to form a mound. In front of the building, to the left of the walkway is a red sculpture that is composed of three orbiting rings wrapped around one another, with the center being a circle with a hole that has vertical bars inside. As for the building’s interior, red rails are a prominent feature above the walkways. These rails are situated horizontally and also rise up towards the ceiling to form an arch.
• The 5th Ave. Professional Building. A square building with white posts and sidings. On each side, there are twelve squares. These squares are organized as having four rows and three columns. Within these squares, there are fifteen narrow, granite rectangles, each with a small opening that serves as a window. The front of the building contains a glass door that leads to a lobby with tiled floors, glass walls, plush benches, and small square shaped fountains. Office sizes range from 85 to 3,000 square feet.
• The Urban League. The Greater Phoenix Urban League is an agency that offers underprivileged individuals social programs, employment opportunities, and educational materials. A dark teal colored metal building, its entrance has four flat red marble steps that lead to glass doors protected by a shaded area. An interesting feature is the vertical strips of stained glass art that add sparkle to the building’s appearance.
• The Gruber Residence. Geometry and shape play a significant part in the design of this home. The roof consists of many squares and rectangles pieced together like a puzzle. Circular windows, like those on a submarine, can be found on the ceilings and on the sides of the residence. Filtered canopies can be seen over the balconies or porches, where protection from sunlight is needed. Metal posts support the covered walkways. The interior includes recessed ceiling lights, wooden floors, and glass doors.
• The Mountain Bell Building. Constructed in the early 1970s, this rectangular 20-story high-rise building was covered exclusively with reflective glass windows. A twin building was supposed to be in the works, but the plans never came to fruition. Maintenance of the building proved to be costly, as windows would often need to be replaced in bad weather conditions. In addition, air quality and asbestos replacements were also common issues. Controversy over the future of the building proved to be incessant. Architectural advocates wanted to preserve the building for historical reasons, and urban developers wanted to transform the building into a business. Phoenix citizens congregated to watch the destruction of the Mountain Bell Building like it was a Fourth of July fireworks display. It was
Ten great designs by Marcel Breuer
• The Wassily Chair. Marcel Breuer created this Modernist inspired chair in the mid-1920s. The two main components that go into the construction of this chair are leather and tubular steel. The leather upholstery is made of cowhide and is available in the colors of black, brown, white, beige, and red. The steel metal frames are polished with a chrome finish. These frames consist of three parts that are fitted together like a puzzle; a seat frame, a back frame, and a side frame. The seat of the chair contains a single, square shaped leather strap for sitting. A “U” shaped steel tube holds the leather seat in place and is connected to the back frame and side frame of the chair. The back consists of two rectangular leather bands fitted across a square shaped tubular steel frame. In between the two leather bands is a space that holds the side frame, which includes the chair’s arms and legs. The side frame is the largest of the three tubes and has a support in the front and back to hold the other two steel tubes steady. Each arm of the chair consists of two leather armbands. The top of each armrest has a leather band that is placed across the curved part of the tube-like frame. Each inner side of the chair also contains a leather band. The arms of the chair trail down to form the legs, which are designed in the shape of the square that bends at the corners to form a bottom piece that allows the chair to slide across surfaces without scratching them. Another name for this chair is the Model B3 chair.
• The African Chair. This is an extremely colorful chair that is inspired by the designs and style of African fabrics. Breuer collaborated with Gunta Stolzl to create a chair with an oak and cherry wood frame that could be painted with a plethora of colors. The stiles on each side of the chair turn inwards and cross one another to form a twisted crest. The back consists of a piece of cloth made from hemp, wool and cotton. One singular stick is placed in the center of the chair’s back to hold the cloth in place. Four legs hold the rounded piece of wood for the seat steady. A cushion for the seat is also included as a part of the chair. Both the cloth support and the seat cushion match the designs painted on the wooden frame of the chair.
• The Laccio Tables. Marcel Breuer created a group of tubular steel tables that could be pieced together by layering smaller tables over one large table. The term used for placing tables together in such a fashion is known as “nesting”. The top of each table consists of a singular rectangular or square piece of plastic coated in a laminated finish. A singular piece of tubular steel holds the plastic top in place. This steel frame bends delicately at the corners and legs to form a table that can be pushed against a wooden or linoleum floor without causing damage.
• The Aluminum Chaise Longue No. 313. Lines and angles are abundant in this reclining patio chair. It is designed using an aluminum frame that holds many aluminum horizontal slats in place. The head of the chair stands erect before sloping downward to support the back. The seat dips low before rising upward and then bending slightly downward as a means of resting one’s legs. The legs form a lengthy bottom support that extends from the footrest to the headrest. Armrests are included with a cover protecting the top section of the tubes. A stretcher below the seat holds the armrests in place as the frames that comprise of the armrests are attached to the bottom support.
• The Thornet S 285 Desk. This is an asymmetrically designed desk with a tubular steel frame that bends at several 90-degree angles. Several pieces of lacquered wood are placed in between the chrome-finished tubes and are used as surfaces for writing and setting items down. There is one large rectangular piece of wood placed in between the topmost level of the frame. Two or three smaller square shaped wooden pieces are included among the sub-levels of the desk. A drawer is sometimes fitted in between the smaller wood platforms.
• The F 40 Cantilever Sofa. Tubular metal frames support two long, rectangular leather cushions for the seat and back of this sofa. The back cushion is flatter and slightly smaller than the seat cushion. Another difference between the back and seat cushions is that the seat cushion is bent slightly at the front and includes a lesser number of tacked buttons sewn into the upholstery. The color of the sofa is usually white but black sofas have been occasionally manufactured as well. Five metal rods with rounded edges are situated vertically inside the horizontal rail that is a part of the main tubular frame. These metal rods hold the back of the cushion in place. The underside of the seat has five tube shaped rods placed perpendicular to the legs that hold the seat in place.
• The WB 301 Chair. This is a minimally designed chair that is similar to that of the cantilever chair with the “S” shaped frame. It has a small plywood back support that is attached to an aluminum frame. The frame extends down to support the smooth square shaped seat that forms a small basin in the middle. The difference between this chair and the cantilever chair is that a crescent shaped addition is placed on the underside of the seat to maintain the proper balance.
• The Cesca Chair. The tubular steel frame of this chair forms a distinct “S” shape that indicates simplicity and sleekness. This frame supports the two flat, squared shaped leather cushions or woven cane panels with rounded corners that form the back and seat of the chair. Some chairs include armrests that are bent downward slightly near the front, and other chairs are built without armrests. The armrests match the seat and back of the chair with the covering placed over the top of the tubular steel frame. These chairs are also known as cantilever chairs for the fact that there are no back legs included their design.
• The F 41 Lounge Chair on Wheels. Three cane panels are held in place by a tubular chrome frame. One panel forms the back of the chair, a second panel forms the chair’s body, and a third panel has been created to serve as the foot of the chair. In between each panel, the tubular frame dips down where vintage nickel-plated wheels are attached to the frame. The chair comes with a total of five wheels. There are two wheels each at the foot and the back of the chair. A fifth wheel is included in the middle of body panel of the chair. A bicycle chain holds this standalone wheel in place.
• The Isokon Longchair. Waves are the intended effect when viewing the design of this chair. A single, flat rectangular timber panel is placed in between a birch wood frame that has been laminated. The timber panel slopes down to the seat before rising to form a leg rest and bending down slightly to form a footrest. The frame that supports the panel consists of five pieces of birch wood. Two pieces form the armrests, two pieces form the ground supports, and a stretcher underneath the seat connects the armrests to one another to maintain balance. The armrests create a wavy effect with the way in which they slope down and then rise up with a smooth, flowing visual form before turning back down towards the ground in connection with the ground frames.
Ten Intriguing Creations by Harry Bertoia
• The Marshall University Fountain. This sculpture was completed in 1972 in memory of the plane crash that killed 75 members of the Marshall University football team and their coaches and staff. Shaped like two large wings and including a rising central section, this sculpture has been constructed using bronze copper tubing and welding rods. Nearly 150 tubes have been merged together to form the enormous “wings” that extend towards the sky. Water shoots up through the center hub and pours back down at the base of the wings. It is 13 feet in height and weights 6,500 pounds.
• The Bird Chair. This chair is made from wire rods that give off an airy, net-like appearance. The back stands erect and is rectangular in shape. It merges into the seat, which is shaped like a rounded diamond with a deep basin designed for sitting or holding cushions. A stainless steel metal base is attached to the seat. This base includes the legs that merge to form a trapezoid-like shape. A wide range of colors is available for using as upholstery from red to beige to yellow to black. An ottoman with matching upholstery and two bent metal tubes for legs often accompanies the chair.
• The Bush Sculpture. Taking metal rods and welding them into different forms is how Bertoia created a variety of these sculptures. He begins by using a singular copper rod that serves as the trunk of the bush or tree. Once many other, thinner rods are attached to the trunk, these “branches” are cut and a bronze bead is attached to the end. This gives the bush a circular or rounded appearance.
• The Diamond Lounge Chair. A wiry, diamond-shaped basin with a net-like appearance forms the seat, back and arms of this chair. The wires and frames are made of welded steel, and the rods are made of chrome. Lock snaps and hooks are provided near the frame to hold cushions and covers. The legs of the chair are formed like a square or trapezoid with the four legs each uniting into two legs with a bottom base. The chair is resistant to being chipped, scratched, and exposed to chemicals.
• The Bertoia Bench. The design of this bench is very simple and focuses on angles and shapes. The rectangular seat is comprised of eight wooden slats that are lined up together to show off the airy style that Bertoia is known for. The base includes welded steel tubes where the legs and supports form a “Y” in appearance. As the supports that hold the wood slats up each form a triangle, the four legs all form 90-degree angles with a bottom base that can slide across the floor.
• The Sonambient Sculptures. These are a series of tall, thin rods and bars that are grouped together to elicit a variety of tonal sounds. The origin of these sculptures came about when Bertoia was working with his sculpting wires. One wire touched another wire and it created an interesting sound. Thousands of sonambient pieces have been created and vary in height, size, and quantity of rods. Some rods are placed on brass foundations to be set on the ground, and other rods can be hung from the ceiling using wires or strings.
• The Sonambient Albums. To accompany his Sonambient sounding sculptures, Harry Bertoia recorded a series of albums between 1968 and 1978 that focused on creating unique tones and organic sounds. This was accomplished by allowing the rods and bars of his Sonambient sculptures to touch or brush against one another. More than 360 magnetic-tape recordings were produced and 11 of the recordings were issued as vinyl records. Currently, these records are out-of-print and are selling for high prices.
• The Sunburst Sculpture. This sculpture that was created in 1963 is located in the Milton R. Abrahams Branch library located in Omaha, Nebraska. Shaped like a large dandelion, it is made of gold plated stainless steel. The plethora of rods that are attached to a metal pole shoot out in every direction and include a bead on each end to create a circular appearance.
• The Sculpture Screens. This is a series of Harry Bertoia sculptures that consists of metal panels made of copper, nickel, and brass. The panels are welded together loosely against a support and stand separately in several rows. Poles are used to anchor the supports that hold the panels. The entireties of the sculptures are often very large in size, expanding to about 70 feet in length.
Ten Interesting Projects by Craig Ellwood
• The Hale House. This Modernist designed home was constructed in Beverly Hills, California in 1949. Located at 9618 Yoakum Drive, it was built using 4-inch “H” columns and 4 x 10 inch wood beams. These columns and wood beams connected to form the frame of the house. The house is raised on stilts, which allow for a carport to be included underneath. Also included in the building of the Hale House were glass panels, steel frames, and stud walls. These walls did not touch the roof deck or ceiling beams, so the house could appear open and welcoming with sunlight shining through.
• The Daphne House. Based on Craig Ellwood’s Case Study House 16, this Hillsborough California home was built for the couple Nicholas and Virginia Daphne in 1961. The majority of the outside of the home is painted white with three stairs leading up to a long, rectangular covered porch and a front entrance with glass doors. The house is raised three feet off the ground and is built using a steel frame and tinted glass. The dining area and the kitchen combine into one room. Kitchen cabinets are built using wood and countertops are white. The dining table matches the wooden cabinets and white countertops with its own white surface and wooden support. A smooth ceiling with a rectangular fluorescent ceiling light and brass chandelier complete the kitchen. The floors for the kitchen and living room are designed using beige linoleum tiles. Looking out the glass panels that make up the walls in the living room is the swimming pool. This pool has white steel pergola beams several feet above it looking up towards the sky.
• The Hunt House. Here is a house that was built in 1957 at the address of 24154 Malibu Road. Looking down on the beach shores in Malibu, this house is geometric in appearance with four square-shaped sections that are separate from one another. A glass door separates the two upper levels from one another. The side entrances also have glass doors that display as the ladders against the building lead up to it. Glass panels and balconies on the two lower levels of the home provide viewers with the beautiful scenery of the Pacific Ocean. The rec room includes a bar, complete with stools. Cabinets have been built using mahogany wood. Bedrooms feature bunk beds, beamed ceilings, and carpeted flooring.
• The Kubly House. A leafy walkway with a black tubular rail on its left side and several wood stairs lead up to this rectangular Pasadena home built in 1964. Built using glass and timber, it has several front entrances in the form of glass sliding doors. It is slightly raised off the ground with several wooden posts in the front and back. A small patio with a wooden platform is located behind the home. The platform leads down to a large, rectangular swimming pool.
• The Max Palevsky House. This home was built around the boulders hidden behind a group of hills in Palm Springs, California for the technology innovator and philanthropist Max Palevsky. Three white protective walls surround the pavilions that are located on West Cielo road. There is a tinted glass paned that includes a door for entry and some plants lined up on the concrete walkways that resemble the maze of a labyrinth that lead into the house. The flooring plan includes a combination of carpet and a basket weave styled tile. Many famous paintings by pop artists such as Roy Lichtenstein and Andy Warhol decorate the walls inside. Glass panels comprise of the back walls leading out to the pool. The pool area is very large and open, allowing for sunlight and fresh air to absorb the atmosphere. A fence runs parallel to the poolside that is away from the house. This fence overlooks the desert landscape, making for a fantastic view. A small, guesthouse is located in the premises.
• The Steinman House. Built in 1956, this rectangular Modernist Malibu home with open glass panel walls provides residents and guests with a beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean. The patio has been created using a mixture of concrete, wood slats, and gravel for the ground. A covered carport and swimming pool are both a part of the outdoor layout. A cabana and spa have also been included for the pool area. Inside the cabana are a kitchen, dining area, and fireplace. The beamed ceilings are built using dark wood for the fixtures and lighter wood for the slats that cover the ceiling area.
• The Rosen House. This square shaped house was created using steel frames and glass panels for walls. The front entrance runs into a dining room, with a kitchen and small bedroom towards the right. To the left is a study room with a bar and fireplace. The house has an open court in the center. The court contains a large plant that peeks out from an aerial view. Four bedrooms and two bathrooms are located on the opposite side of the entrance. On the left side of the house layout is a living room and on the right side is a family room. The family room leads out to a deck, which has a large platform located in between the steps. These steps create a path that leads to a swimming pool with a sheltered carport near the pool’s shallow end.
• The Broughton House. Built in 1949, this Modernist home has a geometric design. The outer appearance is rectangular, with the roof being flat, and stilts holding up the main level. A carport is located underneath the house. Several stairways lead up to the home with a spiral staircase near the inner entry and a straight staircase on the far right. Three bedrooms and two bathrooms are a part of the 8,520 square foot home. The predominately glass panel designed home has a beamed ceiling that is painted white and wood flooring. Black granite tiles and grey granite countertops, as well as white cabinet designs decorate the kitchen.
• The Moore House. Many plants and trees conceal this rectangular home, which has been constructed using glass panels and wood. Gardens, benches, and walking trails are scattered throughout the property. A rough stone walkway trails towards the front entrance of this three bedroom, two-bathroom home. The interior of the house includes glass windows that also serve as outer walls, and smooth wooden flooring. Walls that leave an opening in between the glass panels that protect the outside of the home separate rooms. The narrow kitchen has dark grey countertops and a whimsically decorated white wall.
• The Charles and Gerry Bobertz Residence. Craig Ellwood designed this flat roof one-story home in 1953 for a young couple that were involved in academics. Construction was finished for the 5503 Dorothy Drive residence in 1955. From an aerial view, it has two rectangular sections that merge to form the whole house. From the rear view of the house, the glass panels that serve as the walls are visible. Posts that support the glass panel walls are coated in stained trim. One can see the back rooms, including the living room, rec room, and kitchen, from the outside. Walls have been created using plaster and tongue n’ groove redwood. Closets have been created with sliding doors using masonite and pegboards for the doors. The ceilings are beamed with a tongue and groove design. There is also a small patio in the backyard accompanied by a fountain.
Ten Cool Designs by Charles & Ray Eames
• Eames Lounge Chair Wood (LCW). This chair has been built with molded plywood. Its outer appearance consists of a backrest and a seat with curved outer edges and a veneer finish with a grained wooden pattern. The backrest tilts back slightly and its side edges curve out towards the front. The backrest is also connected to a plywood spine that bends near the bottom to an upright position and curves at a 90-degree angle before rising up to connect to the seat plate. Two screws and two rubber shock mounts each keep the backrest and the seat connected to the spine. The outer edges near the inside of the seat curve upward, while the edges at the front curve down to make for a comfortable place to sit. Two bands of plywood are bent in a curved “U” shape to form the legs of the chair. These bands are connected to the spine with five screws for each leg, as well as more rubber shock mounts.
• The Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman (670 and 671). This set of furniture includes a chair and ottoman that has been built by placing leather upholstery and cushioning inside molded plywood protective shells with curved outlines. The appearance of the shells is smooth with a grained wood veneer pattern. The chair is divided into three sections: the headrest, the back, and the seat. Two aluminum spines link the headrest to the back piece. The bottom half of the plywood shell for the back piece extends forward, and the seat’s plywood shell rises up towards the middle. This is so a leather armrest on each side can be held in place. Both the chair and the ottoman have an aluminum swivel base that allows for rotation. The chair has five fixtures with glides attached to the feet, while the ottoman has just four fixtures. Leather upholstery is usually black in color but white and red are also available.
• The Hang-It-All. This is a Modernist inspired coat rack created by Charles and Ray Eames. It is designed using eleven steel rods. Seven of the rods have spherical wooden balls attached to each end. The other four rods form a rectangular back support for mounting against a wall. Four long rods are attached vertically to the back support. Each of these rods bends sharply at the bottom to form a hook for hanging coats, hats, or other assorted pieces of clothing. Three smaller rods are glued horizontally to the long vertical rods. The wooden balls are made of maple and come in several colors including: yellow, dark blue, light pink, red, and hot pink. The Eames logo can be seen on the back support.
• Wire Mesh Chair (DKR). This chair contains a grid-like frame in reference to the steel rods that cross over one another perpendicularly. The back and seat of the chair unite into one rounded shell and have a curved outer form. Padded upholstery in the form of a “bikini” shape is sometimes included in the design. What is meant by bikini shape is that there are two cushions that are hooked together. The top upholstery covers the top of the chair completely before decreasing in coverage to form the shape of an inverted triangle. The bottom upholstery covers the entire seat before rising up to form a small triangle that connects to the top upholstery. This gives the upholstery the appearance of a bikini top. Red, yellow, green, blue, purple, black, and white are popular “bikini” colors. The base consists of four spliced legs made of chrome. These legs include glides that are attached to the bottom. Attached to each leg are four rods that are linked to a small wire in the shape of a square directly underneath the seat. The appearance of the spliced legs and linked rods that comprise of the base give it an “Eiffel Tower” look.
• Molded Plastic and Fiberglass Rocking Chair (RAR). The main centerpiece of this chair is a rounded shell made of plastic and fiberglass. Modern versions are molded using polypropylene for the shell. It is rounded at the top, but turns outward to form armrests. The edge of the seat slopes down slightly like a waterfall. The base includes four legs that feature three steel rods that are connected directly under the seat. Attached to the bottom of the legs are two wooden runners that allow the chair to rock back and forth. These runners are carved from maple or walnut. Colors range from white, to red, to black to several shades of green.
• La Chaise. Here is a fiberglass chair that was built by welding two shells together. The back of the chair has a circular opening. Resembling a cloud, this chair has a distinct, asymmetrical shape that focuses on soft, flowing, and rounded curvature. Five chrome rods are attached to a base that consists of two pieces of oak that intersect to form an “X”. The two rods at the foot of the chair intersect diagonally. Often, the fiberglass shell of this chair is white in color, but there are versions of La Chaise with a red shell that have been produced.
• The Eames Elliptical Table. This table is constructed using birch wood for the board, laminate for the top surface and zinc plated wires for the base. The table has a thin, oval shaped, 89-inch birch board that has allowed this furniture piece to be dubbed the “surfboard table”. The base includes four legs made of zinc wires that have been bent into the shape of a square. Extra wires are looped around the square shaped leg fixtures. These wires that serve as stretchers are attached to the underside of the table board. The laminate coating is usually black in color, but white and light blue versions have been produced.
• The 1950 Eames Storage Unit (4 x 2). This room divider can fit drawers, shelves, and cabinets with sliding doors within four rows and two columns of available space. It is exactly 5 feet or 60 inches in height, 37 inches in width, and 16 inches in diameter. Eleven birch drawers and a shelf with sliding doors are included in the packaging. Each drawer either features one singular rounded wooden handle or a curved steel rod handle. Sliding doors can be either made from white pylon wood or dimpled birch wood. The sides and backs of the wood panels are often painted in bright colors including red, yellow, white, black, and blue. Thin, tubular rods that cross diagonally and a perforated metal panel are provided to hold shelved items in place. Six steel supports coated in zinc form the outer frame and legs. Nylon glides are attached to the bottoms of the legs to support the unit.
• The Eames 3473 Sofa. This sofa’s upholstery includes two leather cushions that form the seat and back. These cushions are made of naugahyde with a folding effect included in their designs. An aluminum frame supports the seat and back. Legs consist of two posts on each side that merge into a horizontal fixture that bends at each end to provide an area to fit the nylon glides. The sofa is meant to fit three people.
• The Elephant Chair. This cute piece of children’s furniture was designed using polypropylene with a matte surface. The elephant itself has a whimsical appearance. The surface of the head is flat, with two tiny holes for eyes, large rounded ears, folds below the ears that are supposed to be tusks, and a curved bottom that represents the trunk. The top of the head is fastened to the elephant’s body, which consists of a flat back for sitting, and two sides that include stump-like legs. A small, piece of plastic that is the elephant’s tail is attached to the back of the seat area. This chair comes in a variety of colors including: red, light green, white, pink, and pale blue.
Ten Awesome Creations by Henry P. Glass
• The Swingline Cabinet. This unconventional looking cabinet is a very colorful addition to any home. First, there are four main colors that comprise of the cabinet: red, yellow, blue, and light purple. The two smaller drawers are red and light purple, and the two larger cabinet drawers are yellow and blue. Several birch rods are placed in the center to separate the cabinets and drawers. Two more birch rods are located at the posterior corners. Two brown, rectangular Masonite boards serve as the top surface and the base of the cabinet. This cabinet opens by rotating the cabinets outward at 90-degree angles with the birch rods holding them in place. The drawers can then be extended to allow storage of one’s personal items.
• The Swingline Dresser. A similar color design to the Swingline Cabinet is present in this Henry P. Glass dresser. There are four identical drawers. The top left drawer is red, the top right drawer is blue, the bottom left drawer is yellow, and the bottom right drawer can be orange, light purple, or dark purple. The upper left or right corners of each drawer have a small hole drilled into them to make it possible to open. The top surface, mid-section, and the base consist of black rectangular Masonite boards that hold the drawers in place. Four birch legs support the dresser. The dresser can be rotated on its base and the drawers can be opened at 45-degree angles to make it easy to store items.
• The Cricket Folding Chair. Created in 1978, this chair consists of a long, singular cloth and a metal or wooden frame. The cloth is wrapped around the top and front bars of the back and seat of the frame. There are two webbing strips on each side of the cloth strip. These strips hold the chair in place so it does not collapse when used. The frame is composed of four tubular rails that are joined together just below where the cloth strip folds to create the seat and the back. One rail forms the back, another rail forms the seat, and the last two rails form the legs.
• The Glass Lounger. Here is a recliner that has soft upholstery. The back consists of a rectangular cushion with a protective cover over the top half. The seat and the footrest are also cushioned. The most interesting parts of this lounger are the sides. Each side has a distinct egg shaped design. The armrests are protected with an arched wooden covering. The four legs that support the chair are tapered with brass glides for protection against scratching.
• The Henry P. Glass Coffee Table. This walnut and plywood table that has been painted black has a surface that is shaped like a donut. The circular table has a large hole in the center, but a smooth wooden outer layer. There are three arch-like fixtures that support the table. This adds up to the table having six legs.
• The 1955 Lounge Chair. This yellow chair has soft upholstery. The back of the chair forms a trapezoid with rounded corners. There are also seven buttons, three that form the top row, and four that form the bottom row, that serve as decoration. The arms form a shell that shields the seat. The shape of the armrests curve upward from the back to the front. A cushion is cradled in the base of the chair. Four splayed brass legs with glides on the bottom support the chair’s frame.
• The Pickle Creek Patio Chair. The two main components of this chair are redwood and enameled aluminum. The redwood seat and back have a ridged, rectangular appearance. The stretcher that is beneath the main parts of the chair is also made of redwood. Two aluminum bars that are shaped like the letter “J” serve as the stiles and the back legs of the chair. In addition, there are two more aluminum bars shaped like the letter “C” that form the arms and the front legs of the chair. The arms are interesting in that they form an arch with the front ends being screwed into the front sides of the seat.
• The Red Lounger. This rectangular lounger has a flexible and ribbed appearance. The head of the chair is erect, the back curves downward, the seat rises upward, and the foot plateaus. A bowl shaped wooden base that consists of four splayed legs and an adjustment rotator supports the chair.
• The Intimate Island Lounge Chair. This chair has a crescent shaped cushion that serves as the back of the chair. The seat cushion has two layers, one that is for sitting and another to serve as the base. A round walnut frame serves as a shell for the cushions. The three legs that support the chair are a part of the walnut frame. One leg supports the chair’s back, and two legs support the front.
• The Swingline Table. A circular lacquered wooden table with an interesting seating arrangement. Four legs support the top surface of the table. Rather than act as separate pieces of furniture from the table, four round stools are attached to the table’s legs. This is made apparent by the hold drilled into each stool’s seat. The stools each have two legs. Combined with the extra legs from the main table that
Ten Great Designs by Finn Juhl
• The Pelikan (Pelican) Chair. Here is a uniquely designed chair where the primary focus is on shape and color. The “free art” movement inspired Finn Juhl when he was creating this piece of furniture. The back of the chair is rounded and wavy in its appearance. The arms that are shaped like wings merge into the back of the chair, rather than act as a separate entity. Also merging into the back of the chair is the bottom section to provide a place to hold the seat cushion. The chair legs are thick, smooth, and rounded at the bottom to prevent scratching on wooden or linoleum floors. The rear legs lean back at an obtuse angle while the front legs stand upright if not slightly spread out.
• The Chieftan Chair. This particular chair conveys a sense of power and respect. The back of the chair is notable for its leather cushion that is shaped like a shield. Usually, there are three or four buttons included in the central part of the back cushion. The seat rests on an apron that rises towards the center. The round, leather armrests curve up towards the front. Regarding the wooden frame, the structure is complex and unique. The stretchers on each side rise up from the back to the front, connecting each leg. The stiles curve alongside the shield-shaped leather cushion. Lastly, the back of the chair is held together by a singular, central rail creating an “H” shape when viewing the chair from behind.
• The Poet Sofa. The shape of this sofa is a combination of rectangular and hexagonal when looking at it from the front. Much like the Pelikan Chair, the upholstery, arms, and base all merge together to form the shell of the sofa. A seat cushion can be placed on top of the base. The arms are very short and focus more on style than on comfort. Buttons decorate the back of the sofa. The thick, wooden legs all stand at an obtuse angle from one another and are rounded at the bottom to prevent the scratching of delicate surfaces.
• The Japan Chair. Very minimalist in appearance, this chair is often accompanied by a matching ottoman. The seat and back cushions are flat and appear connected to form one, “L” shaped cushion. The seat also rises upward slightly, while the upper half leans towards the back. A teak wooden frame with a cylindrical rail holds this upholstery together with two small brass rods connecting the back cushion to the rail. The legs stand upright and are supported by three stretchers, two on each side and one in the front. Colors range from green to blue to yellow to grey to tan.
• The Bwana Chair. Another Finn Juhl chair that includes a matching ottoman. The upholstery is a thin, mat-like cushion that wraps around the top rail. The seat cushion is located inside the upholstery. Two pommel armrests are draped on the chair’s arms and fall down against the seat. The upholstery is often leather, but has also been manufactured using a wool covering. A teak wooden frame completes the chair’s appearance. The front corners where the arms are located have circular “knobs” carved into the frame.
• The Baker Sofa. The design for this sofa is very sleek and colorful. The top of the sofa is shaped like a flat ellipse where the ends curve inward towards the front. Completely separate from the top, the middle section has slightly sharper corners as well as a straighter outline, and a base to hold the seat. A seat cushion can be placed on the base. There’s also a wooden frame that includes four legs, with the rear legs rising to form a pair of stiles that hold the middle and top of the sofa in place. The top and the seat cushion are always the same, bright color, while the middle section is a darker, more contrasting color. Common color variations include: yellow and black, red and black, green and black, and white and black.
• The Wall Sofa. Here is another sofa that is divided into two separate entities that comprise of the seat and the backrest. This sofa has a light blue upholstery and a dark blue sitting area. The upper section is elliptical and curved inwards, much like the Baker Sofa. However, it is also asymmetrical in appearance with the left end sloping down to form a small arm and the right side retaining a wide, winged presentation. Intended to be situated against a wall, the sofa has three rear legs made of lacquered steel that go up to form three spines to hold the top section in place, and loop at the bottom to form an anchor for the seat.
• The Turning Tray. This is a rectangular laminated tray that is protected by a teak wooden frame. The central part of the tray is often one of five solid colors. These color variations include: kimono red, black, husky green, angel blue, and Alaska white. The trays come in three different sizes.
• Westermann’s Fireplace Chair. This chair contains an “L” shaped leather upholstery that holds the seat cushion in place. The wooden frame is usually made of teak or walnut. The arms of the chair curve upward and have rounded corners. The apron also slants up towards the front for reclining. Small silver glides are attached to the bottom of each chair leg. Underneath the seat are two diagonal bars that cross to form an “X” and connect to the oppositely positioned chair leg.
• The Diplomat Desk. A large teak wooden desk with a smooth top surface and five desk drawers that hang underneath. There are two drawers on the left side; one small drawer and one large drawer below the small drawer. The right side has three drawers that include one small drawer and two medium size drawers below the small drawer. Each drawer is equipped with a round, silver handle. A small keyhole can be found in the top right corner of the desk near the drawers. An open space between the drawers provides a comfortable workspace.
Ten Homes by Joseph Eichler
• Fairhaven Home link http://www.eichlersocal.com/?portfolio=fairhaven-eichler-home-2. The front of this house has a driveway and a garage, plus a covered entrance with a red front door. Included in the design of this home are ceilings with wooden beams and walls and doors that are made of glass panels. The entry room, living room, kitchen, and dining room floors use marble floor panels. The guest bedrooms have one window and a solid wall as well as carpeted floors. One of the bedrooms with a small window has been converted into an office with a wooden floor. The master bedroom has a walk in bathroom and carpeted floors. The beamed ceiling in every room except for the atrium has been painted solid white. The ceiling for the atrium is translucent and its floors include linoleum panels. A small backyard with a patio and vegetation completes the home design.
• Fairhaven Home link http://www.eichlersocal.com/?portfolio=fairhaven-eichler-home-3. This house was built in 1960 and has four bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a one-car garage with a carport. An atrium in the middle of the home leads to the backyard. The roof is made of foam and the windows are tinted for protection against UV rays. The kitchen and living room floors are solid grey with extra shine. Items of furniture reflect in the floor like a mirror. Ceilings have beamed fixtures and a variety of hanging lamps. Some rooms have glass panel walls and sliding doors. Most of the walls and ceilings in the home are painted white. A small room for a washer and a dryer is provided. A patio with a swimming pool is located in the backyard.
• Fairhaven Home link http://www.eichlersocal.com/?portfolio=eichler_2. A home that has been built on an 8300 square foot lot, this one story Eichler house with four bedrooms and two bathrooms is comprised of a 1729 square foot living space minus the open atrium. The atrium itself has grey linoleum floor panels and open ground for planting vegetation. Beamed ceilings and glass window panels make up a significant part of the house layout. The kitchen has a row of cabinets hanging above a marble counter. Next to the kitchen is a living room space with glass sliding doors that lead out into the backyard. There is a small patio with a protective canopy in the backyard with a plethora of plants and flowers lined up against the walls and down the walking paths. Many gardens and retreats have been built in the backyard to provide for pleasing aesthetics.
• Fairhaven Home link http://www.eichlersocal.com/?portfolio=eichler_23. Here is an Eichler home that is painted mostly in white. The garage is designed to fit two vehicles. The ceiling has beams that stretch across to hold the flat roof in place. Floors are carpeted and light shines through the open spaces near the ceiling. Glass panels for walls are a common feature in the home. A covered patio with wooden floors and benches is located in the backyard. There is also a gravel path that extends beyond the patio towards the fence.
• Fairhaven Home link http://www.eichlersocal.com/?portfolio=883-oakwood. This home has a large garage and protective roof with beams aligned underneath it. Posts are perpendicular to the roof to support it. The open space that leads to the front entrance is shaded. The beamed ceilings are painted solid white and have spherical ceiling lights in different rooms. Some of the walls in the house are made of glass panels, but there are also solid walls included. These walls are often painted white. The kitchen has solid white cabinets, granite countertops, and grey slate floor tiling. The living room is designed with glass panels for walls and slate tiles for floors. A fireplace is located against one of the glass panel walls. Outside of the house is an open roof patio with the same tiling plan as the kitchen and living room. Plants and assorted vegetation surround the patio and outside of the house.
• Fairhills Home link http://www.eichlersocal.com/?portfolio=eichler_47. Here is a one-story house with a two-stall garage and a flat roof that is elevated in the center where the entrance leads. Beamed ceilings that are painted white, and glass wall panels are a common feature of this home. The kitchen contains countertops with white marble tiles, cabinets that are painted white with wood borders and handles, and floors that are covered in brick red slate tiles. The living room and dining area have carpeted flooring and spherical ceiling lamps. Other notable features of this home are a small room with a washer and dryer and a fireplace in the living room area. The backyard contains plentiful vegetation, a small fountain, and a relaxing brick patio.
• Fairhills Home link http://www.eichlersocal.com/?portfolio=eichler_48. Shiny silver counters and light wood cabinets are a notable feature in this home. The ceiling includes beam fixtures that are painted black and wooden slats painted white. Posts are located in various sections of the house to hold up the beam fixtures. Glass panel walls and doors provide the house with sunlight to brighten the atmosphere. Bright red is a common color that has been used for the walls and the doors in this home. The floor consists of a hardwood finish and light grey tiles made of granite. A small atrium provides a space for showcasing plants and vegetation. The backyard contains an open patio and a swimming pool that is protected by a metal fence.
• Fairmeadows Home link http://www.eichlersocal.com/?portfolio=eichler_11. A paved driveway leads up to a home surrounded by plants and vegetation. Built in 1962, there are four bedrooms and two bathrooms within the confines of the home. Beamed ceilings, carpeted floors, and wooden walls are all notable features, especially in the living room. The atrium is decorated with several types of plants and statues. There is a red brick patio in the backyard that leads to a swimming pool. Glass panels serve as walls for the back of the house. The dimensions of the house are approximately 1650 square feet and the lot that the house has been built on is 8100 square feet.
• Fairhaven Pool Home. http://www.eichlersocal.com/?portfolio=fairhaven-eichler-pool-home. This one-story house has a natural stone driveway that leads up to a two-car garage. There are a total of six bedrooms and three bathrooms in this 2585 square foot house. It rests on a 13,600 square foot loft. Linoleum tiles cover the floors inside. A weathered brick red fireplace is located against the glass panels in the back of the house. The kitchen includes white counters, dark red cabinets, and a ceiling that allows light to shine through the area. Central air and heating are provided. A wooden roof protects the patio. The pool is fenced in and a small 15-foot by 40-foot greenhouse is also located in the backyard.
• Fairmeadows Home link http://www.eichlersocal.com/?portfolio=eichler_43. A variety of plants and trees surround this Eichler home. The ceilings feature beams that are painted black and wooden slats that are solid white. Linoleum flooring is featured in the kitchen and dining area. Kitchen countertops are white and the cabinets feature sliding doors that are light blue in color. Glass panels are used for walls in the back of the house. A brick red fireplace is situated in between the glass panels. Spherical vanity lights light up the bathrooms, which also include solid black counter tops. The side of the house has a small wooden patio and a walking trail that uses red slate tiles for a path. A natural stone patio and a swimming pool complete the appearance of the backyard.
Ten Awesome Creations by Paul McCobb
• The Planner Group Desk. The Modernist Movement and its emphasis on minimalism inspire the appearance of this desk. The left side of desk has two drawers; one medium sized drawer at the top, and one large drawer at the bottom. Each drawer has a singular round handle made of zinc. Underneath the drawers are two legs that are shaped like a peg. They are situated in the mid-central area. The right side of the desk features two long splayed out legs that resemble the spikes of a drafting compasses. As the legs reach the ground, their circumference becomes thinner until the bottom parts are pointed in appearance. The top surface is rectangular and smooth. The desk is built from maple wood.
• The 1082 Arm Chair. Constructed from walnut, this chair has an interesting shape. The back of the chair resembles the silhouette of a cat’s ears or even the top half of a bow tie. Two stiles that can be bent near the armrest hold it up. The armrest is smooth and flat in appearance. The legs appear slightly bent, but also smoothed down. A checkered polyester cushion is situated on the chair’s seat. The wooden frame is painted with ebony to give it a sleek appearance.
• Fiberglass Chairs. Geometrical shapes are the main focus of these chairs. The seat is hexagonal in appearance, meaning that there are six sides; two side in the front, two sides adjacent to the arms, and two sides against the back. The back of the chair is rectangular and bends outward towards the back, so it looks like the shape of an open book. The arms are also rectangular but slope downward from the back to the front. The top surface of the arms widens slightly towards the back. Four metal legs keep the chair in place. Some chairs do not include armrests. They come in a variety of colors including blue, orange, brown, and grey.
• The Windsor Chairs. Here is another intriguing chair design. The most interesting part of the chair is the four long spindles that hold up a trapezoidal headrest. A rail that curves slightly, and a seat that has rounded corners in the back, but sharp and angular corners in the front support the spindles. The four legs are splayed and supported by three stretchers. Two stretchers are on each side, and one stretcher is positioned directly underneath the seat. The frame is constructed from birch wood and painted black.
• The Bookshelf or Etagere. A brass frame supports the shelves and drawers that make up this piece of Paul McCobb designed furniture. The rectangular étagère is divided into two halves. One half holds only one singular shelf in the middle. The other half includes a shelf near the top and four drawers around the middle to bottom of the étagère. Each drawer has a singular round silver handle. The shelves and drawers are constructed from lacquered wood. Besides being a bookshelf, the étagère can be used as a room divider. It is light enough to be set on a coffee table.
• The Delineator Series Bachelor’s Chest. Eight drawers and two cabinets make up the storage space of this mahogany, walnut, and oak constructed chest. Three small drawers with round silver handles are located on the top layer of the chest. Open spaces are provided below the drawers for storage or decoration purposes. The larger, bottom layer has two cabinets on each side with five drawers in the middle or in between the cabinets. These drawers and cabinets each have a narrow handle with two rods drilled into the wood. Eight legs support the entire chest.
• The Planner Group Credenza. Large and rectangular in shape, this piece of furniture is fantastic for storing one’s belongings. Two sliding doors made of grass cloth take up the front of the credenza. Inside, there are four drawers on one side, and three shelves on the other side. The middle of each drawer is carved out to make it easy for opening. Outside, the glossy and smooth maple surface gives the credenza a regal appearance. Four small legs support the credenza’s frame.
• The Tripod Cigarette Table. There are two main components with which this table has been constructed: glass and brass. The top has a circular glass surface that is colored white with a brass trim protecting the outline. The leg that holds the table is brass and is attached to a brass base with three prongs extending out to form the tripod.
• The Sectional. This is a seating arrangement that combines lounge chairs, sofas, and ottomans into one functional piece of furniture. It curves slightly to form the shape of the letter “J”. Some sectionals contain sides that include armrests. Other sectionals are lacking in armrests. Leg frames can be wooden or metal. The cushions come in a variety of fabrics and colors. Sectional can seat around five people.
• The Brass and Marble Lamps. These lamps can be manufactured as either floor lamps or table lamps. The lampshade is often white and cylindrical in appearance. Four long, thin rectangular brass rods make up the legs. Two, three, or four of these rods can support the lamp. The square base, which has a pink tone, is made of marble. A small brass square is placed in the center of the marble base to hold the rods steady. Three bulb fixtures comprise of the top section of the lamp.
Ten Awesome Furniture Designs by Ole Wanscher
• The Senator Sofa. Here is a sofa that is very simple but sharp in its appearance. Like the political rank, the name “Senator” implies a sense of importance and elegance. Because this couch comes in several versions, different wooden frames from mahogany to oak to teak comprise of the legs, arms, apron, and rails. The corners of the arms are pointed giving off the appearance of a 90-degree angle. The back of the couch includes three horizontal rails to support the spring cushions protected by wool covers. There are a total of six cushions; three seat cushions and three back cushions.
• The Colonial Chair. The origin of this chair goes back to the year 1949. The most distinct feature of this style of furniture is the rough looking outer appearance of the cushions. The two cushions, a seat cushion and a back cushion, are leather and loosely structured to guarantee comfort. Wood materials used to build the frames are mahogany and cane. There are four rails that support the back cushion. Four spindles also connect between each leg. The stiles arch back slightly to allow for relaxation. The top of the armrests curve down slightly before rising and connecting to the apron and side spindles, allowing about ¼ of space between the armrests and the front legs. The rear legs curve back while the front legs are perfectly straight.
• The France and Son Rocking Chair. The design of this chair is slender and evokes a sense of tranquility. The cushions come in a variety of protective coverings from wool to linen, to leather. The back cushion is notable for its slightly crescent-shaped appearance where the middle of the cushion curves back before bending forward. The seat cushion is flat and square in comparison. The frame consists of an arm and a base on each side that meld together to form a trapezoidal shape with a slightly arched top and bottom to allow motion. Frames are created from a variety of wood sources from teak to rosewood to birch.
• The A.J. Iverson Desk. This piece of office furniture comes in several versions, with mahogany wood or rosewood being the two most notable. There are usually two or three drawers on each end of the desk, but some versions include a wider drawer or even two similarly sized drawers in the central section of the desk. Each drawer has a single brass swing pull handle. Dividers are included inside the drawers for organizational purposes. The back section of the desk contains an extra shelf that can be pulled out. The central front of the desk is very spacious to allow for a comfortable workspace.
• The Rungstedlung Dining Set. This collection is intended for use in formal settings, such as celebratory dinners and parties. First, is the oval shaped mahogany table. There are four legs with the bottom of each leg smoothed and rounded to ensure that wooden or linoleum floors don’t get damaged. Second is a serving cart that includes two tray levels. Next are the two armchairs. Consisting of mahogany frames, these chairs have a smooth, rounded rail to ensure comfort, four legs with a spindle on each side, and an armrest that is designed similarly to the furniture in the Senator Series. The seat cushion comes in linen, wool, or leather. Six more identical dining chairs without the pointed armrests complete the set.
• The Egyptian Folding Stool. Comprised of a black leather covering and a mahogany or rosewood frame, this stool is ideal for resting small items. It can also be used as a small seating place. The stool has two curved stretchers on top to hold the leather seat in place. The two pairs of legs cross against each other to make folding, storage, and portability of the stool feasible. The two bases that connect to the legs run parallel to one another.
• The T-Chair. The appearance of this mahogany and leather chair is very unique, yet functional. The leather seat is wider in surface than the apron below that holds the seat cushion in place. Common seat colors are red and black. The front legs are widely spaced out and positioned at their respective corners while the rear legs are closer together and merge with the two spindles that connect to the rail to form the “T” shape.
• The Gyngestol Rocking Chair. Here is a chair for lounging and relaxing on a porch or even inside a home. It has two identical, square padded cushions for the seat and back that come in a variety of styles and patterns. Some of the cushion styles and patterns include: linen, leather, wool, cotton, polyester, stripe patterns, and button patterns. The armrests and bases are similar in appearance to the France and Son rocking chair. However, the Gyngestol rocking chair has three rails and a pair of stiles to hold the back cushion in place.
• The Kommode. This is a dresser that includes five rows of drawers. Each drawer has two brass swing pull handles attached. It can be displayed with or without legs, as the legs can be removed easily. Drawer dividers are included for compartmentalization purposes. Teak and mahogany are some of the more common wooden dresser versions that have been manufactured.
• The Folding Table. Ole Wanscher designed several styles of tables. One of the more interesting tables is the folding table, which often has two leaves on each end. These leaves can be folded or extended, depending on the needs of the owner. Usually the tables have an oval or circular surface, but there are rectangular tables as well. The Gateleg folding table is notable for its six legs and rosewood finish.
15 Unknown facts on Alvar Aalto
Hailing from Finland, Alvar Aalto was an architect and designer who was born in the municipality of Kuortane located in the Southwest region of Finland. From 1916 to 1921, Alvar Aalto attended the Helsinki Polytechnic Institute. During these years, Aalto was mentored by Armas Lindgren, a popular name in the Finnish National Romanticism scene.Alvar Aalto served in militia after the Russian Revolution. Alvar Aalto established his first practice in Jyvaskyla, Finland. This city has more architectural designs created by Aalto than any other city in the world.In 1927, Alvar Aalto teamed up with Erik Bryggamn, another former student of Lindgren’s, to create the design that represented the Turku Fair for the year 1929. Alvar Aalto’s influences when it comes to his designs run the gamut from classicism, to Gunnar Asplund to Ragnar Ostberg to Northern Italy to austerity to Palladian. Aalto used both details and simplicity in executing his designs. The simplicity was important for Aalto when creating wooden designs. It was important for Aalto to display aspects of Finnish culture in his work. Alvar Aalto’s designing style changed numerous times during his fifty plus year career. First, he adopted the traits expressed by Nordic Classicism with its simple, structural, and urban style. Later on, Alvar Aalto picked up on a modern version of the International Style that eschewed embellishments in architectural displays and focused on maintaining balance and volume. This was also known as “functionalism.” Alvar Aalto developed a style that could be described as experimental, romantic and picturesque during the 1930s. Harry and Marie Gullichsen who were a wealthy industrial couple were responsible for giving Aalto commissions all over Finland to create unusual pieces of architecture. During his twilight years, Alvar Aalto began working on a fourth type of style that is often described a monumentalism. This style conveyed power and a commanding presence regarding the design of the buildings created my Aalto at this time. One such building is the Finlandia Concert Hall.The two buildings that put Alvar Aalto on the map in regards to prominence in the architecture scene were the Paimio Sanatorium and the Viipuri Library. The famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright once described Alvar Aalto’s conception of the Finnish Pavilion as a “work of genius.”Alvar Aalto married a fellow architect, Aino Marsio . Aino died in 1949.
Alvar Aalto ttended the 1929 meeting of Les Congres Internationaux d’Architecture Moderne (CIAM).
Artek was the business that created and promoted Alvat Aalto’s creations from furniture to textiles and fabrics to glassware.
The Baker House, which is located on the campus of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, Massachusetts was created by Alvar Aalto.
Alvar Aalto’s last architectural project before his death was the Mount Angel Abbey Library located in Mount Angel, Oregon. It was finished in 1970.
10 awesome creations by Finnish architect Alvar Aalto
• The Savoy Vase. This glassware design is an unconventional looking vase that appears as if four simple drinking glasses have been melded into one misshapen glass. It comes in a variety of colors and sizes.
• The Stool 60. Constructed from birch, this three-legged stool is designed with the most minimal of aesthetics. Its legs have a small bend near the seat that is shaped like the letter “L”. The style that Aalto incorporated into this design is a part of the Functionalist Movement.
• The Paimio Armchair 41. This chair was designed for the Paimio Sanatorium medical building. The design focuses on curvature with the thin, plywood seat and back of the chair curving into the shape of a scroll. The frames that hold the seat are molded into a polygonal shape where the back, bottom, and top of the frames are rectangular in appearance, and the front of the frames bend inwards.
• The Beehive Ceiling Lamp. This lamp consists of several layers of matte white steel. There are also shiny accents made from brass or chrome underneath each matte layer. It was conceived in the 1950s during Aalto’s “experimental” phase in his career.
• The Tea Cart 900. At the Paris World Fair in the year 1937, Aalto showcased a teacart that captured the attention and hearts of the attendants. The cart consists of a small basket weaved from the finest cane, a large tray designed with ceramic tiles covering the surface, and smooth, lightweight plastic wheels.
• The Chair 611. As a representation of the modernist style, this chair was one of the first furniture pieces designed by Aalto. The back and seat of the chair are held together with a linen fabric that is webbed appearance. The legs and frames that hold the webbed linen together are crafted from the finest birch.
• The Pendant Ceiling Lamp. This is a minimally designed ceiling light that is cylindrical in appearance. There are two cylinders: one long and narrow cylinder that makes up the top portion of the lamp, and one short and wide cylinder that is the lamp’s bottom. It comes in both black and while and is made from aluminum and brass.
• Aalto Stainless Steel Bowl. A 7-inch bowl that is designed with Aalto’s trademark curvature. It is shaped with four wavy sides that sink down to a flat bottom to give the bowl a basin-like appearance.
• The 66 High Back Chair. This is a chair intended for dinner tables. Made of smooth birch, the back of the chair is rectangular with rounded corners at the top. There is a space carved out of the bottom of the back to ensure comfort. The seat is circular and cushioned. The front legs of the chair are placed at 90 degree angles while the rear legs are slightly arched back.
• The Large Pedestal Table. The table is held up by only one leg. A chrome, black, or white linoleum base, supports this leg. The top of the table is simply circular in appearance and constructed from lightly colored birch.
10 Awesome Creations by Hungarian Industrial Designer Eva Zeisel
• The Town and Country Salt and Pepper Shakers. Rounded appearance, this trio of shakers has only three small holes for applying a flavor to any meal. One of the shakers is smaller than the other two. The human-like form that the shakers take on is representative of a family. The small shaker is supposed to represent the “child” in a family or two or three. • The Upright Vases. This is a collection of vases that come in three different styles. The smallest vase, known as the “bud” has a round bottom with a narrow chute that slightly widens around the opening at the top. The medium sized vase is round around the upper section with the top becoming slightly narrow. The bottom of the medium sized vase appears as concave before slightly spreading out at the base. The large vase has a distinct “hourglass” shape with a round bottom, narrow center, and rounded top that contains a wide opening. • The Eva Zeisel Lounge Chair. With its soft, curvature, this chair is constructed with the finest of ash wood. The central part of the chair, which consists of the seat and the back, has a soft cover that slips over the scroll-like shape. The chair’s legs have a wide, U-shaped base. The stretcher below the seat has a rising central section with a space cut out in the center. It resembles a woman’s lips in appearance. • The Eva Zeisel Coffee Table. There is a smooth, transparent and oval shaped surface that comprises of the top of this coffee table. Made of dark and light ash, the bottom is designed with two different symmetrical gothic-like fixtures. One fixture resembles ocean waves, while the other has a distinct “C” shape. • The Jewelry Tree. Here is a creative method for providing someone with a place to store jewelry. The “branches” have the trademark curves that Zeisel incorporates into her designs. The tree is divided into four parts with four legs at the base to hold it upright. • The Eva Kettle. This is a teakettle created from stainless steel, with plastic for the handles. The top handle that is used for carrying the kettle contains an asymmetrical curvature that slopes downward from the front to the back. The lid has a mushroom shaped peg in the center that is used for lifting the lid without burning oneself. There is also a similar shaped peg plugged into the whistle to protect it. It comes in silver, red, and black. • The Gravy Boat. This porcelain bowl has a graceful looking appearance that resembles a small boat. The sides of the bowl rise upwards and then inwards to join together. This gives off the appearance of two hands clasped together in prayer. The bowl is accompanied by an Asian style soupspoon that is also made of porcelain. The spoon is designed with Zeisel’s trademark curvature in mind. • The Eva Zeisel Candlesticks. This collection of candlesticks comes in four distinct styles. The tallest and the second tallest candlesticks have a center that curves slightly outward and a top section that is wide. These candles resemble a person’s appearance. The smaller two candles have a concave center and a wide top. The smallest candle has a pan shaped base. • The Pillow Vase. This is a vase with a shape that is representative of a woman with a pear shaped body. It has four different layers where the bottom is the widest and largest of them all. The three layers on the bottom are round in shape. The top layer is the smallest and has an hourglass design, plus an opening for flowers or plants.
• Splash Bowls. This is a collection of three bowls and a plate that is similar to the gravy boat in appearance; only the sides rise upwards and not inwards. They are made of porcelain and come in several shades of white. The smallest of the splash bowls has the longest “sides” and the large plate has the smallest of “sides”.
Ten Awesome Creations by Russel Wright
• The American Modern Pitcher. This piece of kitchenware is one of the most popular and recognizable pieces of ceramic dinnerware in Russel Wright’s American Modern collection. Coated in a glazed finish, the pitcher has a pear-like shape with a handle that curves slightly upward. The top has a narrow opening that runs down the backside and stops at the handle. The tip of the pitcher curves outward to make serving feasible. It comes in four colors: coral, chartreuse (a light green gradient), seafoam (a dark green gradient), and granite grey.
• The Modern Spice Tablecloth. The plaid design in this tablecloth often contains four different color combinations with translucent overlays. The most popular version is the red, white, dark green, and light green color pattern. Spun using cotton and rayon, the tablecloth is around 50 x 50 in dimensions.
• The Conant Ball Dining Chair. The simple and elegant design of these chairs evokes the Art Deco style that was popular in the Mid 20th Century. The main section includes a cushion made using textile. It comes in a variety of colors and patterns, but gray and white seem to be the most abundant versions. The design of the cushion is slightly wavy and shaped like a scroll. There are four simple, pointed chair legs made of birch. The two front legs are positioned at a 90-degree angle. The two rear legs lean towards the back, creating a slightly obtuse angle in relation to the seat.
• The Spun Aluminum Bun Warmer. Here is a toasty way to keep bread fresh and delicious. This spherical silver piece of kitchenware is divided into two halves that are screwed together on each end. An arched handle made of rattan bail holds the bolts in place. It is easy to open the bun warmer without burning one’s fingers because a small, circular wooden knob is placed directly above the opening. Inside is a black, netted basked to hold the bread in place. A cylindrical foundation prevents the bun warmer from rolling off tables and counters.
• The Oceana Wood Line Bowls. A collection of artifacts for home decoration. First, there is the Oceana bowl that is shaped like a pentagon. It has ridges that rise up to divide the five sections and a curved outer form. Then, there is the bowl shaped like a snail’s shell with its ridges that swirl towards the center. Third, a long, thin, shallow bowl with waved edges serves as a place to hold small fruit or candy. Lastly, there is a circular deep-set bowl with rough ridged edges is provided for holding larger pieces of fruit. All of these items have been designed from cherry wood and maple.
• Flair Ming Lace Dinnerware Set. There are seven pieces of dinnerware included in this collection. The two larger plates, the bowl, and the saucer cup are designed with two leaves touching one another plus a third leaf opposite the two leaves. The smallest saucer has only one leaf painted on the outer edge. A small pitcher and a sugar bowl with a lid complete the set.
• Russel Wright Silver Flatware. This collection of silverware is designed in an Art Deco style that focuses on shapes. Seven pieces of silverware complete the set: two soupspoons, a teaspoon, a salad fork, a dinner fork, a dinner knife, and a butter knife.
• The Iroquois Casual Teapot. This Teapot is created from ceramic clay with a heavy glaze finish. It has a large handle with a flat noodle shape. The top of the handle arches above the rest of the teapot. The lid is small in comparison to the rest of the item and has a circular knob to make removal of the lid easy. The spout is very short and stout. The teapot’s top half is wide and round with the bottom becoming narrow. It comes in a variety of colors. Among these colors are: turquoise, cantaloupe, brick red, lemon, mustard, and charcoal.
• The Pony Chair. Created in 1932, only twelve examples of this chair were originally produced before being re-issued in the 21st Century with 500 chairs. The seat is made of soft, faux black and white hide. The back has a white linen cloth spread by two wooden stiles. Constructed from primavera wood, the arms curve upward, while the legs and apron support the seat cushion.
• Theme Formal Glassware. Four distinct glasses comprise of this set designed for upscale dining. The taller two glasses, known as stem glasses, are cylindrical in shape with a slightly concave bottom half. The shorter two glasses are known as Yamato glasses for the company Yamato produced them in Japan. They have a wider top half than that of the stem glasses. All glasses are opalescent with the top half of the glasses appearing clear to translucent and the bottom half transforming into an opaque, white base.
Ten Awesome Creations by Milo Baughman
• The 951-103 Thayer Coggin Arm Chair. This chair has a double layer of leather cushioning. One layer serves as a foundation for the second layer: two plush leather cushions that make up the back and the seat. The arms, legs, and stretchers are made of chrome and brushed smoothly for a nickel finish. Completing the appearance of this chair is a pair of manchettes wrapped around the arm rests. Colors that manufacturers have produced include black, red, and mahogany.
• The 820-400 Thayer Coggin Chaise. The overall appearance of this piece of furniture recalls the Modernist movement of the Mid-20th Century. The design is very functional. The resting area is a simple, rectangular, leather cushion that is 77 inches or almost 6 ½ feet in length. It bends in the center at an obtuse angle. A small, leather pillow is often attached to the headrest. The two trapezoid-shaped bases of the chaise are made of steel and include two legs and a stretcher on each side. Popular colors that have been on the market include red, black, and white.
• The 989-103 Lounge Chair. The design for this chair emphasizes the importance of lines, squares, and 90-degree angles. The steel constructed upholstery consists of three legs: two at the front of the chair and one in the middle that supports the back. There are also two U-shaped fixtures, a base and a top, that support the legs. The top fixture also holds together the box-like cushion foundation, which contains two plush cushions that comprise of the back and the seat. Cushions come in tweed and leather.
• The Prisma Shelving Unit. Here is an innovative method for organizing one’s belongings. This unique shelf design is triangular in an abundance of ways. The main shape is an orange inverted pyramid that contains three rows with a yellow support splitting the top two rows. At the top of the inverted pyramid sits a single pink triangle while four small, black spheres rest on each corner. The middle and bottom row of the orange inverted pyramid form half of another inverted pyramid that is pink in color. At an acute angle where the inverted triangles connect are two green circular designs. At the bottom of the shelf rest two yellow erect triangles on a black rectangular base. Holding the base up are four light blue circular feet.
• The Recliner 74. The way in which this recliner is designed brings forth the Modernist Movement with its simplicity in function and appearance. There are two leather cushions that serve as the back and the seat of the chair. The back leather cushion is slim and rectangular in appearance while the seat cushion is thick and square. The wooden foundation includes the arms, legs, as well as a thick stretcher that holds the seat and the back. A leg rest can be pushed out as the back is pushed back for reclining.
• The Tub Chair. Due to its round appearance, this little chair is shaped with a bathtub in mind. It has a spherical frame with the top consisting of the back and arms of the chair. The bottom contains a cushion that serves as a seat. Textures come in velvet, linen, cotton, and polyester among other fabrics. This chair can be put on legs, or a fixture for rotation.
• The Rosewood Sofa. This sofa contains three back and seat cushions, each in a row for a total of six cushions. Two more cushions that cover the sides of the couch serve as armrests. All of these cushions are held and protected by a wooden box-like outer design. Legs for the bottom of the sofa are optional, as it is possible to include the sofa in a home flat on the ground without leg support.
• The Drum Table. This cylindrical table comes in three different sizes from tall and narrow, to short and wide, to something in between. The tables can be wooden, bronze, or silver in appearance. These tables can serve a variety of purposes from coffee table, to night table, to a place to hold statues, pottery, or glassware.
• The Milo Baughman Coffee Table. Baughman designed this coffee table with an eye for the stylish. Unlike many other coffee tables, the surface is not entirely comprised of one flat, glass cover. The surface is divided into six distinct pieces for optimal functionality. One side contains small rectangular compartments for storing materials. The middle section has two large compartments that serve the same storage purposes, and the other side’s compartments are a size in between the large and small compartments. The legs are shaped like an upside down “V” and have small circular feet to protect the table from scratching floors.
• The Drexel Desk. Here is a piece of office furniture designed with a surreal appearance, but also contains a variety of parts that allow for optimal convenience. The top of this desk contains a trapezoidal storage space attached to a flat black surface meant as a working space. Beneath this working area are two desk drawers. The left drawer has only one storage compartment, while the right drawer has two. The drawers are each held up by two legs. The legs that are attached under the left drawer are placed under the middle of each desk instead of the outer corners of the desk. The desk has been constructed using primavera wood.
Ten Awesome Postcards by Curt Teich
• Greetings From Chicago Illinois. 1942. #2B-H327. The main attraction is the word “Chicago” in large bubbly letters in the center of the post card. A specific landmark is drawn inside each letter. The first “C” features the Buckingham Fountain. The “H” shows from left to right, 333 North Michigan, the Carbide & Carbon Building, the London Guarantee Building, and the Mather Tower. The “I” has the Chicago Board of Trade Building. The second “C” showcases the statue of Abraham Lincoln in front of Lincoln Park. The “A” contains the Civic Opera House. The “G” includes the Wrigley Building and the Tribune Tower. Finally, the “O” displays the Navy Pier Auditorium overlooking Lake Michigan. A rainbow runs diagonally behind the “Chicago” lettering. The backdrop is dark blue.
• Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street, New York City. 1933. #3A-H1289. Here is a finely detailed image overlooking daily activity in the heart of New York City. On the street below, there are throngs of people walking down the streets and sidewalks, as well as vintage vehicles driving down the road. Noticeable buildings include the New York Public Library in the foreground. The Empire State Building can be seen in the background.
• Step-in-High Pin-up Girl. 1942. #2B-H1425. This postcard features a cartoon-like blonde bombshell dressed in pink lingerie, thigh high stockings, and high heels holding a yellow piece of clothing. The background indicates that the woman is in a room with light blue wallpaper covered in crimson red flowers, with a colorful orange and pink striped baseboard. The caption “Step-in-High!” is written in the lower left hand corner of the card.
• Greetings From U.S. 66, America’s Main Street, Scenic Missouri. 1945. #5B-315-N. Displayed prominently, the lettering for “U.S. 66” is drawn showcasing a collage of landmarks, buildings, and scenery that represent various attractions running down Route 66 in Missouri. The lovely background captures a country road with a small, white fence running alongside the path. Trees, shrubs, woods, and a bright blue partly cloudy sky complete the image.
• Texas Cowboy Riding a Jackrabbit. 1943. #3B-H6. The humor in this postcard is made apparent with a young cowboy sitting atop a very large jackrabbit in the foreground. The jackrabbit is wearing a red harness and a saddle as if it is an actual horse. The background features a typical desert scene with cattle scattered about, and various cacti plants, along with a partly cloudy skyline.
• “So There’s Nothing Down Here To Write Home About.” 1955. #5C-H25. This is a comically drawn image of a beach scene. The main focus is a middle-aged wife holding a suitcase. She is bent over, scolding her husband who is seated on a beach blanket next to an attractive blonde bombshell in a bikini. The caption at the top reads, “So there is nothing down here to write home about, eh?” which indicates that the couple went on a vacation that the husband eventually found boring, until he met the attractive woman at the beach who he decided to chat up, much to his wife’s chagrin.
• The Statue of Liberty. 1936. #6A-H2561. This is an aerial image of Bedloe’s Island, which features the Statue of Liberty along with the other attractions that surround the statue. Some of the buildings have since been removed long after Teich created this postcard.
• A Lake in Front and a Creek in the Back. 1935. #5A-H1536. This summer scene features several people enjoying the sun on a small beach near a lake. At the forefront is a woman in a purple strapless bikini top with black and purple polka dot shorts with her left arm akimbo and her right arm behind her head. She is standing on a picnic table. Another attractive woman is shown smiling below her. Behind the two women is a man wearing a yellow outfit with an orange, black and yellow tie. He is holding a hat in one hand and smiling with his other hand touching his chin. Several other people are in the background, including a man riding in a canoe. A yellow house with a Mexican style red roof is in the background towards the right.
• “Surprised To Hear From Me?” 1946. #6B-H1155. A Curt Teich created postcard featuring a black man and a black woman. The man arrives at the woman’s door to take her on a date, as evidenced by the flowers and present that he is carrying. He is wearing a yellow and red plaid coat, orange trousers, and a yellow hat. The woman is at the door nude but holding a yellow towel in front of her and wearing curlers in her hair. The caption reads “Surprised to hear” on the left and “From me?” on the right.
• Anticipation. Date Unknown. C-269. An artsy and detailed portrait of an attractive blond woman posing on a beach. She is wearing a dark blue one-piece swimsuit, accompanied with a silver and yellow cape draped around her shoulders. There is a green and white umbrella towards the right peeking from a lower ground level and a blue sky with a swirling cloud in the central background to complete the image. The words “anticipation” are written in small print at the bottom center of the postcard.
Ten Great Innovations by William Curry
• The Tranquilite Lamp. The shape of this lamp is akin to a pill capsule. The majority of the lamp consists of the actual light, a white, egg-shaped cylinder. The base is rounded at the bottom in symmetry with the capsule-like appearance. A small switch is attached to the base. The entire lamp is situated on a small wooden square to prevent it from falling over. An extension cord completes the lamp.
• The Cattail Lamp. Here is a lamp that consists of about twelve long, thin, white straws with colorful, oval shaped bulbous ends. This gives off the appearance of a collection of skinny balloons. The balloon-like straws are contained inside a cylindrical base. The light is placed inside the base. When the light is turned on, the top half of the base glows with luminescence. The bottom half of the base, which is usually black, includes the light switch and the extension cord.
• The Limelite Table Lamp. This is a long, cylindrical lamp that resembles a pillar candle in appearance. The light is a large, white cylinder that is made with ribbed plastic. The base is a small, metal holder that comes in several colors, including red, yellow, blue, black, and white. A circular section of the base is removed that shows where the light switch is located. A tripod (three legs) is attached to the base to support the lamp. An extension cord is included.
• The Bulb Table Lamp. This lamp’s appearance looks exactly how it is described. A glass light bulb comprises of the light, while the base is a solid cylinder. The bulbs are manufactured in different colors from red to yellow to black to white to clear to even gold!
• The Stemlite Lamp. Shaped like a globe, this large, spherical lamp rests on a base that looks like a cocktail glass. Bases come in a variety of colors from blue to red to black to white. The light itself is usually white, but there have been other colors manufactured, such as silver and gold.
• The Mushroom Lamp. The light of this lamp is shaped like a mushroom cloud, hence the name Mushroom Lamp. The bases vary in shape, size, and style, depending on how the lamp is to be displayed. There are Mushroom Lamps for tables, for floors, and even for outdoors.
• The Tall Floor Lamp. This lamp is lean and shaped like a light saber. It illuminates near the bottom half of the light fixture, giving off a dim glow. The base is usually made of black plastic and an extension cord is a part of the packaging.
• The Luvlite. A miniature light bulb that can fit in the palm of one’s hand. These tiny light bulbs are boxed in a variety of colors. Blue, white, yellow, pink, green, red, and purple are some of the variations of the Luvlite. The base is made of steel and the bulb itself is 25 watts.
• The Jax Bookend. Jacks were originally created as game pieces for the game “Knucklebones” where players bounce a small rubber ball and then must scoop up the most jacks before the ball touches the ground. Shaped like a four-pointed star, a jack has four spheres protecting each pointed end. Two more points without the spherical edges protrude from the middle section, making it possible for the jack to stand upright on three sides. What William Curry did with the jack was transform it into larger decorative piece for holding books in place. Curry’s jax bookends have been manufactured from plastic, brass, chrome, and cast iron. Larger versions than the bookend have been created as doorstops and even coffee tables!
• The Metal Square bookends. Along with the jax bookend, Curry designed a variety of square bookends made of sheet metal. They often have a simple design on the front. Some of the designs include: a heart, a sunflower, skull and crossbones, a clover, and a rose compass.