The chairs of the Aluminium Group have become classics of modern furniture design. The exposed construction of the Aluminium Chairs impresses with its stability and lightness. The office chairs were designed by the designer couple Charles and Ray Eames in a material-saving manner with minimalist upholstery, which is freely available in mesh, fabric (also Hopsak) or leather. Thanks to their slim silhouette, the designer chairs cut a fine figure with an elegant touch even in the smallest of spaces in the office, home office or dining room. Aluminium Group furniture is used not only as an office chair but also as comfortable conference chairs on which one may also conduct lengthy negotiations. The aesthetics from the 1950s are characterised by timeless beauty and ergonomic sitting.
Alu Chairs, born in the 1950s
The Eames Aluminium Chairs were born in 1954, when architect Eero Saarinen and interior designer Alexander Girard were unable to find suitable high-quality chairs for the terrace of their client J. Irwin Miller's new building. Girard spoke to his friend Charles Eames, who designed exactly these chairs, which were initially planned for outdoor use. The decision was made in favour of aluminium, which is light, easy to shape and water-resistant. The result is a sophisticated construction of two springy side bars which are stretched, while the seat and backrest of the Aluminium Chair is covered with anything from fine leather to stylish mesh.
Vitra Aluminium Chairs - guaranteed good
The chairs have a chrome-plated or optionally polished die-cast aluminium frame. By means of castors or glides, the chairs can be used on all floor coverings. There is a choice of base frames and backrests of different heights as well as armrests for comfort. The manufacturer Vitra gives a thirty-year guarantee on the high-quality aluminium parts of the Eames Chairs. The high quality of workmanship ensures that the chairs have a long service life. All Vitra Aluminium Group chairs are 100% recyclable.
Name finding: The Aluminium Group
The first designs were initially named "Leisure Group" and "Indoor-Outdoor Group". After the initial success, the chairs were developed into the "Eames Aluminium Group", which includes dining room chairs, conference chairs, office chairs and lounge chairs. In 1958, the Miller family received their Aluminium Chairs for their new home in Columbus (Indiana), where they stood on the terrace of the Miller House.
Brief history of Aluminium Chairs
The Aluminium Chair by designers Charles and Ray Eames is one of the most important designs of the 20th century. The chair adapts to the human body even without elaborate upholstery. Since 1959, Vitra has been producing Aluminium Chairs for the European market and the Middle East. Vitra gives you the guarantee to buy an original. Except for small technical adjustments, the Aluminium Chairs are still traditionally manufactured and assembled to ensure the quality of the original Vitra designer chairs.
Vitra Eames Chairs in the pro office shop
In the pro office shop you will find Eames Aluminium Chairs which are particularly suitable for dining rooms, offices, conference or meeting rooms, such as the EA 105, the non-rotating version with armrests EA 107 and the rotating version with armrests EA 108. The models of the Soft Pad Group can also be used in many areas; the Soft Pad Chair EA 219 office swivel chair with adjustable backrest mechanism from 1969 is similar in form and construction to the Aluminium Chair. The EA 217 offers extra comfort with sewn-on cushion units and lush upholstery. The EA 216 from the Soft Pad Group is an armchair with a high backrest. Its soft upholstery ensures a pleasant sitting comfort - even over a longer period of time. The EA 117 and EA 119 office swivel chair with tilt mechanism are also among the design classics of the 20th century. The EA 119 model scores with its infinitely variable seat height adjustment.
Office swivel chair "Figura": chairs in the Bundestag
The basic idea of the aluminium chair, which was developed in the 1950s by Charles and Ray Eames, has found many imitators. The aluminium office chairs are so versatile that they can be used in companies, waiting areas and living rooms. The German Bundestag has also opted for aluminium office chairs with durable wool fabric from Vitra. Instead of the originally planned grey, they opted for the "Reichstag Blue": a striking shade of blue that changes to violet depending on the light. The 1984 "Figura" was designed by Mario Bellini (*1935). The chair also expresses status in the Bundestag: the chairs of the President of the Bundesrat and the Chancellor have a higher backrest than those of the Members of Parliament, while the stenographers have to be content with a stool. In contrast to private or business use, the designer chairs are anchored to the floor on a chair leg; the seat can be extended. In the pro office shop you will find the Vitra HeadLine office swivel chair from 2006 by Mario Bellini & Claudio Bellini, which features synchronous mechanism, seat depth and height adjustment and a lumbar support for ergonomic sitting.
