Charles and Ray Eames Plastic Chairs. Reprise.
...We sadly cannot confirm if the modern polypropylene Eames plastic armchairs and side chairs can also protect against marauding Martians...
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Eames Plastic Armchairs from Vitra
Plastic Chairs Story
For many years Charles & Ray Eames busied themselves with the search for a seat form which perfectly adapts to the human body. Following various attempts with plywood and sheet aluminium the pair finally returned to fibreglass, a material which Charles Eames, together with Eero Saarinen, had employed for their Organic Chair - also known as Conversation Chair - an object created in context of the 1940 "Organic Design in Home Furnishings" competition organised by the New York Museum of Modern Art, MoMA. However, it was only towards the end of the 1940s that production technology was advanced enough to allow fibreglass chairs to be produced economically and in large numbers. In 1950 the Eames fibreglass chair shells were released on to the market in two forms, the A-shell with armrests and the S-shell without: at that time a revolution, today a much loved design classic.
Der Vitra DAR in outdoor area
In Home Office is PACC with upholstery ideal
The true genius of Charles and Ray Eames however was to be revealed in the next step. After forming the shells the designer pair created a range of interchangeable bases: the rod base (four-leg frame with wire struts), wooden base (wood frame), X-base (four-legged steel tube frame) and cast base (five-star base in die-cast aluminium with wheels). In 1955 the collection was expanded with a stackable base. Thus Charles and Ray Eames created a chair family in which the base can be selected to match location and intended function while the seat retains the same familiar, comfortable, shell form.
Charles and Ray Eames also designed a simple nomenclature for their new fibreglass chair collection. The Eames DSR chair, for example, stands for Dining height Side chair Rod base - the DSW for Dining height Side chair Wood base. Both chairs have the same S-shell, but different bases. Likewise, the nature of the DSX, PACC or DAW can be derived from the name.
Sustainable design in focus: Vitra Eames Plastic Armchairs RE
The Eames Plastic Armchairs, as well as their related the Eames Plastic Side Chairs, embody Charles and Ray Eames' design principle "The most of the best to the greatest number of people for the least" and since 2024 they have been available in a new version crafted from a novel sustainable materials.
The Eames Plastic Armchairs RE are available in various colour variants, the lighter of which which can have barely visible delicate pigment. The new models bear the name EPC RE and some of the previous colours have been replaced by environmentally friendly shades. For example, "Green", "Sunlight" and "White" are now "Emerald", "Citron" and "Cotton White" while all other colours remain unchanged.
The recycled material for the Eames Plastic Armchairs originates from German households and is collected via the so-called “Yellow Bag” packaging recycling system. Compared to conventional materials this novel material causes fewer climate-damaging emissions and uses less primary energy. The seat shells of the Eames Plastic Armchairs RE are 100% recyclable, which supports the material cycle and minimizes environmental impact.
By using this innovative material Vitra not only sets an example for sustainable design, but also for the integration of environmental awareness into the aesthetic design of chairs.
New green color variant made from recycled plastic: Vitra DSX RE Chair in emerald green
Eames Plastic Chairs in the sustainable RE version, timelessly beautiful as they have always been
Want to learn more about the new Eames Plastic Chairs RE? In the Vitra brochure you will find all the details. Simply Download and explore!
Eames Plastic Armchair RAR im Wohnzimmer
Vitra and the Eames Chairs
When in 1957 Vitra acquired the license to produce the works of Charles and Ray Eames in Europe, the fibreglass chair collection was already well on its way to becoming a genuine classic of 20th century furniture design.
In 1992 both Herman Miller and Vitra discontinued production of the fibreglass shells and switched production to polypropylene: design and form remained the same, however the environmental impact of production and waste disposal was greatly reduced.
With their high, flexible backs, deep seat Vitra Eames chairs profiles and waterfall front edges the collection provide for an extremely comfortable sitting experience - be it for a few minutes in the office, a little longer over lunch or the duration of an evening concert.
With the Vitra plastic chair family Charles and Ray Eames achieved one of their principle design goals: "The most of the best to the greatest number of people for the least."
Beautiful mix of Eames Plastic and Fiberglass Chairs in the dining room
Please click on the picture for detailed information about the New Vitra update Colors 2019 (ca. 2,9 MB)
The Vitra Eames Shell Chairs: An Overview
Eames Plastic Chairs
Vitra Eames DSR
Dining Height Side Chair Rod Base
Vitra Eames DSX
Dining Height Side Chair X-Base
Vitra Eames DSW
Dining Height Side Chair Wood Base
Vitra Eames PSCC
Pivot Side Chair Cast Base on Castors
Vitra Eames DSS-N / DSS
Dining Height Side Chair Stacking Base
Vitra Eames DAR
Dining Height Armchair Rod Base
Vitra Eames DAX
Dining Height Armchair X-Base
Vitra Eames DAW
Dining Height Armchair Wooden Base
Vitra Eames PACC
Pivot Armchair Cast Base on Castors
Vitra Eames RAR
Rocking Armchair Rod Base
Vitra Eames LAR
Lounge Height Armchair Rod Base
Vitra Eames DAL
Dining Height Armchair La Fonda Base
Eames Fiber Chairs
Vitra DSR Fiberglass
Dining Height Side Chair Rod Base
Vitra DSX Fiberglass
Dining Height Side Chair X-Base
Vitra DSW Fiberglass
Dining Height Side Chair Wood Base
Vitra DAR Fiberglass
Dining Height Armchair Rod Base
Vitra DAX Fiberglass
Dining Height Armchair X-Base
Vitra DAW Fiberglass
Dining Height Armchair Wooden Base
Vitra RAR Fiberglass
Rocking Armchair Rod Base
Vitra LAR Fiberglass
Lounge Height Armchair Rod Base
Eames Wire Chairs
Vitra DKR Wire Chair
Dining Height K-Wire Shell R-Wire Base
Vitra Eames DKX Wire Chair
Dining Height K-Wire Shell X-Base
Vitra Eames DKW Wire Chair
Dining Height K-Wire Shell Wood Base
Vitra Eames DKR Wire Chair Checker
Dining Height K-Wire Shell R-Wire Base
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