Photo Essay of Purchased Furniture

Esquisse No.2 Cafe Chair Exploded Assembly

Second Hand Chair

Exploded Perspective Drawing



The LCW Chair uses the Eames' technique of moulding plywood first developed by Architect Alvar Aalto. The seat and legs are joined to the lumbar support using heavy washers and nuts which is fixed to the plywood using glue. The rubber allows a degree of 'flex' making the chair responsive to the individual user. A revolutionary development in furniture design at the time.



Contextual essay

The LCW (Low Chair Wood) was designed by Husband and Wife duo Charles and Ray Eames in 1945. The chair was designed using the manufacturing technology of moulded plywood, a technique derived from Charles' work for the Museum of Modern Arts 'Organic design in Home Furnishings competition' in 1940 with fellow designer Eero Saarinen. Charles was able to perfect this technique when his office won contracts to design and manufacture plywood leg splints, stretchers and aircraft parts for the U.S Military during WWII. The Eames' vision of a single plywood shell was quickly abolished when the plywood proved prone to cracking on sharp angles forcing them resort to the alternative solution of a two-piece design, that being a plywood seat and legs connected to a plywood backrest by lumbar support. The seat was attached using rubber washers or ‘shock mounts’ and nuts glued to the underside of the seat making for a clean, sophisticated aesthetic. The backrest used a similar method that allowed a level of 'spring' making the chair comfortable and marking a revolutionary breakthrough in chair design. Although the bulky washers deviate from the Eames' original vision of an unhindered wooden form that could be easily mass-produced, it does represent a detachment from the stuffy, complicated and heavy furniture of its era. Moreover, the LCW is robust and organic in form making it ideal for an expanding population of young families after the war who required light and affordable furniture. The LCW chair also paved the way for the couples other innovative designs including the Lounge Chair with Ottoman.

Sketches

Newson's Chaise Lounge Combines fibreglass, aluminium and rubber. Sketch detail of rubber foot.

Charles & Ray Eames LCW Chair is made from plywood and rubber.

Detail showing moulded plywood base and screws.

Mackintosh chair uses ebonised oak and rush.

Detail showing weaving technique of rush seat

Photo Essay

Armchair LCI by LeCorbusier, 1928 

Armchair 41 by Alvar Aalto, 1930

Lounge Chair 670 by Charles Eames, 1956



LCW Chair by Ray & Charles Eames, 1945



Wiggle Side Chair by Frank O'Gehry, 1972

Diamond Chair by Harry Bertoia, 1951

LC2 Lockhead Lounge by Marc Newson, 1985-86

Tom Vac Chair by Ron Arad, 1997

Pylon Chair by Tom Dixon, 1992 

Chair from the Willow Tea Rooms by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, 1903