
Eero Saarinen
Eero was one of the 20th century's greatest designers. His success was down to his amazing ability to fuse different elements into one whole; Sculpture, design and architecture, the present and the future, organicism and abstraction.
Born in Finland, the son of renowned architect and sculptor Eliel Saarinen and textile designer Loja Gesellius, Eero trained at the Cranbrook School in the USA before completing his studies in Europe and then his architectural training at Yale University.
Some of the most important works of public architecture in the 1950s & 60s in the USA were designed by Eero Saarinen. His airport terminals, monuments, office buildings and university facilities always reflected the true spirit of the contemporary age, and became true landmarks.
Eero's career was shaped by his relationships with other prominent mid-century designers as well his parents.
His closest relationship was with Florence Schust Knoll, who almost an adopted sister to him. They started working in the mid 1940s and created under the Knoll brand some of the most recognisable design classics including the Womb Chair, the Saarinen Executive chairs and the Saarinen Tulip / Pedestal collection of tables and chairs.
Eero also worked very closely with Charles Eames, prior to Charles forming hi close relationship with Ray, and the pair won a MoMA prize in 1940. This laid foundations for all furniture design over the next few decades. Their Organic Chair is still available to buy now through the German Swiss brand Vitra.