Vitra Eames Shell Chairs

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The first plastic chairs produced in series

The Eames Plastic Chairs were first designed and mass produced in 1948 by husband and wife team Charles and Ray Eames. They were part of a competition held by the Museum of Modern Art in New York, which was looking for innovative and affordable furniture.

The chairs were made of an innovative material called fiberglass, which was not widely used at the time. This material allowed the Eames to design the chair in an organic shape that was both comfortable and aesthetically pleasing.

The Eames Plastic Chairs quickly became a classic of modern furniture design and are still very popular today. Over the years, they have been made in a variety of colors and materials, including plastic and wood. The chairs are also available in a variety of sizes and are suitable for use both at home and in public spaces such as offices, schools and restaurants.

A bucket as a model

Charles and Ray Eames collected and archived a number of inspirational objects, some of which were later cited as influences on their work. The Vitra Eames Shell Chair is a classic mid-20th century design that may have been inspired by the shape of a 1940s bucket.

Fiberglass as the original material

Originally, the chair was made of fiberglass, but due to environmental concerns, the material was replaced with polypropylene in the 1990s.

The environmental concerns with fiberglass that led to the switch to polypropylene had mostly to do with the way fiberglass is manufactured and disposed of.

Fiberglass is made of thin fibers of glass bonded with synthetic resin to form a durable material. However, during the manufacturing and processing of fiberglass, harmful particles can be released that can harm workers and the environment. This material was also more difficult to recycle and could release potentially harmful substances during disposal.

Therefore, it was decided that it would be better to switch to polypropylene as the material for the Eames Plastic Chairs. Polypropylene is a thermoplastic polymer that is easier to produce, recycle and dispose of than fiberglass. It is also durable and resistant to wear and tear, making it a good choice for a piece of furniture.

The fiberglass revival

Some early, original colors of Charles and Ray Eames' Fiberglass Side Chairs and Armchairs are made by Vitra. They showcase the distinctive and now cherished vibrant look of fiberglass. The fascination of fiberglass lies in its irregular surface, which almost looks like a natural material due to the clearly visible fibers.

Recycling the fiberglass shell

Companies in the cement industry use fiberglass as a fuel and raw substitute in the production of cement clinker. Vitra cooperates with these partners and recycles the fiberglass chairs as part of a take-back program. In this way, 100% of the shells are recycled sustainably.
Because fiberglass is highly durable, Vitra encourages the resale and repair of the iconic chairs, ensuring their longevity.

Today, the Eames Shell Chairs are made of 53.7% fiberglass-reinforced plastic, 45.1% steel and 1.2% polyamide.