Eames Molded Plastic Armchair
Summary
The iconic Eames Molded Plastic Armchair, designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller, fits any body and every place. Its celebrated one-piece shell features a tactile matte texture and is noted for its durability. Chairs can be customized in a range of fabric options, colors, and legs to suit your needs. Made from 100% recycled plastic, it’s a sustainable choice, too.
Dimensions
4-Leg Base
Height: 31 in
Width: 25 in
Depth: 24 in
Seat Height: 17.25 in
Seat Depth: 24 in
Arm Height: 26 in
Dowel Base
Height: 31.75 in
Width: 25 in
Depth: 23.5 in
Seat Height: 17.25 in
Seat Depth: 23.5 in
Arm Height: 26.5 in
Wire Base
Height: 31.75 in
Width: 25 in
Depth: 24 in
Seat Height: 18 in
Seat Depth: 24 in
Arm Height: 26.5 in
A simple, gracious form that fits any body and every place
Eames Moulded Plastic Chairs
Charles and Ray Eames realised their first successful, single-shell form in 1950 with the Moulded Fibreglass Chairs. However, when the environmental risks associated with fibreglass production became more widely understood, the decision was made to discontinue fibreglass shell production until a more suitable material could be found. In 2001, Herman Miller reintroduced the Moulded Plastic Chair in polypropylene. In addition to being 100% recyclable, the polypropylene shell chair’s subtle matt texture offers a soft tactility as well as notable durability.
Eames Moulded Plastic Chairs are available as side chairs or armchairs, and in a choice of colours, including archival or new options. Armchair and side chair shells can be fully upholstered in a variety of textiles; side chair shells can be specified with an upholstered seat pad. A choice of bases rounds out your customisation options.
The endless possibilities of a simple, gracious form
Discover all the ways Eames Shell Chairs can work for you.
For every need
Charles Eames famously said, “The role of the designer is that of a very good, thoughtful host anticipating the needs of his guests.” With the molded plastic, fiberglass, and wood shell chairs—as well as the wire chair—the Eameses have created a universal response to what everyone wants from a chair: a simple, gracious form that fits any body and every place.
In every way
Borne out of Charles’ and Eero Saarinen’s early investigations molding plywood at Cranbrook Academy in 1939, and continued with Ray at the Eames studio in Venice, California, the molded chair is exemplary of the Eameses’ iterative process and their desire to make “the best for the most for the least.” With each new form, finish, and configuration, the Eameses continued to push the boundaries of what the shell chair could be: after experimenting with single-form plywood and stamped metal, they turned to fiberglass and experimented with bent wire; when fiberglass production proved unhealthy for the environment, the decision was made to switch production to a safer plastic; and now, with advancements in safe fiberglass composition and dynamic veneer technologies, the evolution continues with the Molded Fiberglass and Molded Wood Chairs.
For everyone
The Eames Shell Chair was designed on the principle of adaptability, offering innumerable configurations to serve a wide variety of applications and environments. It’s what makes the chair a classic worthy of museum collections—and living rooms, laundromats, lobbies, and cafés. It’s what makes it a great first piece of furniture to buy in your twenties, that’s still worthy and relevant enough to hand down to your children 20 years later. A diverse selection of shell, base, color, and finish options enable you to create your perfect chair. Just like every person, every chair has a story.
“The role of the designer is that of a very good, thoughtful host anticipating the needs of his guests.”
Herman Miller x HAY
Classic Eames designs thoughtfully reimagined by Danish design house HAY.
