CAD $1,580
Originally designed by Charles and Ray Eames, the 1956 Lounge Chair reimagines the club chair using groundbreaking moulded plywood techniques they developed during WWII.
Heat, steam, and pressure are used to shape the wood into ergonomic forms that contour to the human body.
Depth (cm): 91
Width (cm): 84
Height (cm): 84
Depth (in): 35.75 inches
Width (in): 33 inches
Height (in): 33 inches
First introduced in 1956, the Lounge Chair was designed by Charles & Ray Eames as a commission for film director Billy Wilder, who sought an exceptionally comfortable chair. The result was a reimagined club chair, built using advanced moulding techniques and innovative materials.
Designed to evoke “the warm, receptive look of a well-used baseball mitt,” the Lounge Chair’s moulded plywood shells are shaped using heat and pressure techniques perfected during WWII. These shells provide ergonomic support while maintaining a lightweight structure. The layered plywood construction and ergonomic cushions highlight the Eameses’ focus on user-centred, functional design.
As one of the Eames Office’s most intricate designs, the Lounge Chair consists of 20 major components expertly assembled to achieve its iconic form. The chair’s roots lie in earlier plywood experiments during WWII, including leg splints and stretchers. This meticulous design process marked a significant departure from their earlier mass-produced, low-cost furniture, cementing their legacy in mid-century modern design.
Upon its release, the Lounge Chair received immediate acclaim for its comfort and craftsmanship, becoming a cultural and design icon. Today, it remains a symbol of mid-century modern innovation and is included in the permanent collections of MoMA in New York, the Henry Ford Museum, and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.
Archetype Forms offers the 1956 Lounge Chair in both the European Base and American Base versions, depending on your aesthetic preference. The European Base is distinguished by its slimmer, more minimalist profile, featuring curved feet and rounded armrests. By contrast, the American Base offers thicker, more robust legs with angular feet. Explore the 1956 Lounge Chair: American Base for an alternative look.
Shop the 1956 Lounge Chair: European Model base, originally designed by Charles & Ray Eames, online in Canada and the USA. For the set paired with ottoman, see the 1956 Lounge Chair & Ottoman European Model. For the American released version, see here.
