Archetype Forms Aluminum Group Executive Armchair

Executive Height Design: Features a taller backrest compared to the management model, providing enhanced support for the upper back and shoulders during extended periods of use.

History and Design Significance:

Originally designed in 1958 by Charles & Ray Eames, the Aluminum Group Executive Armchair emerged from a commission by Eero Saarinen and Alexander Girard for the Irwin Miller House, a modernist architectural milestone. Unlike previous designs that relied on solid shells, the Eameses reimagined seating with a suspension system that stretched a single panel of fabric or leather between molded aluminum ribs. This innovative construction created a flexible yet supportive “sitting pocket” that adapts to the body’s contours without requiring excessive cushioning.

The Aluminum Group Armchair marked a pivotal evolution in the Eameses' work, as they pushed the boundaries of aluminum’s use in furniture. Lightweight, durable, and versatile, aluminum allowed for sleek profiles without compromising strength or comfort. The result was a chair that has become a staple in modern office design and is instantly recognizable in cultural and professional settings worldwide.

Functional Features:

This executive-height armchair includes a pneumatic seat height adjustment and a lockable tilt mechanism with tension control, enabling users to adapt the chair to their posture and preferences. The five-star base on glides ensures stability on carpets or hard floors (with optional felt pads). Its horizontal ribbed upholstery provides a tactile and visual appeal while offering long-term seated comfort.

Legacy and Impact:

The Aluminum Group Chairs have become icons of mid-century modern design, celebrated for their innovative construction and enduring style. Initially produced for a residential commission, these chairs transitioned seamlessly into workplaces, boardrooms, and cultural landmarks. Today, they remain symbols of functional elegance, blending form and purpose to elevate any space.

Key Features:

• Historical Significance: Faithful reproduction of the original Charles & Ray Eames Aluminum Group Armchair, commissioned in 1958 for the Irwin Miller House.
• Executive Height: Features an extended backrest for added upper-back and shoulder support, making it suitable for prolonged use in executive offices or boardrooms. Complements the Management version with its streamlined profile.
• Innovative Suspension Design: Single-piece fabric or leather seat-back is stretched tautly between molded aluminum ribs, creating a flexible and supportive sitting pocket.
• Customization Options: Upholstery available in various fabric, leather, or mesh finishes, paired with custom frame and base finishes.
• Functional Adjustments: Pneumatic height adjustment, tilt mechanism with tension control, and stable five-star base.

Shop the Aluminum Group Executive Armchair on Glides, originally designed by Charles & Ray Eames, online in Canada and the USA. Explore other Aluminum Group Chairs available in mesh, upholstery, with castors or glides, and in various heights. Or consider the Soft Pad Office Chair series, offering additional padding as an evolution of the Aluminum Group Chairs.

Charles and Ray Eames were American designers who revolutionized 20th-century furniture, industrial design, and architecture. They began their collaborative career in 1941 after meeting at the Cranbrook Academy of Art. The Eames are known for their innovation with new materials and technologies in furniture design. Their iconic works include the Moulded Plywood series (1946), the classic Lounge Chair (1956), and the Aluminum Group and Soft Pad series office chairs (1958). The Eames' designs emphasize ergonomics, versatility, and innovation, earning them a permanent place in major museums and archive collections worldwide.

Upholstery: Custom Leather or Fabric with Horizontal Ribbing, or Mesh Selection from Archetype Forms

Frame: Die-Cast Aluminum in Chrome, Finished, or Powder-Coated Custom Selection from Archetype Forms

Upholstery: Custom Mesh Selection from Archetype Forms; also available in leather or fabric upholstery

Frame: Die-Cast Aluminum in Chrome, Finished, or Powder-Coated Custom Selection from Archetype Forms

Seat Mechanism:

• Adjustable Backward Tilt, Lockable
• Tilt Tension Adjustment
• Pneumatic Continuous Seat Height Adjustment

Base: Five-star Swivel in Die-Cast Aluminum, Available in Chrome, Polished, Matte, or Powder-Coated Custom Finishes

Base Options:

• Glides Model: Hard Feet for Carpet; Optional Felt for Hard Floors
• Castors Model: Hard wheels for Carpet; Optional Soft for Hard Floors