Eero Saarinen

Eero Saarinen standing behind his scale model of the St Louis Arch

Eero Saarinen was born into a world of design thanks to his renowned parents. He was helping his father design furniture and fixtures from a very young age. After attending Yale Saarinen returned to Cranbrook were he met Charles Eames, with common goals of exploring new materials, techniques and process the two hit it off instantly, they pushed each other on a creative level but also collaborated in many projects.

Charles Eames and Saarinen standing by a structure

In 1940 the MoMa sponsored an competition of Organic design and Home Furnishings and this would become the beginning of the partnership’s best work together for which they would design a set of plywood moulded chairs. They would place first in all categories and these awards sent the two young designers sky rocketing into the elite of the American modern furniture movement.

Eero would also meet Florence Knoll who he became very close friends with forming a brotherly/sisterly bond which would last all their lives. When florence eventually joined Knoll in the 1940’s it was natural for her to ask Eero to start designing for the company.

Eero was a designer obsessed with revising his designs during his design process he was known to make several test pieces and moods in order to achieve perfects curves and would not stop until he was convinced this was his best outcome. His approach toward furniture design was a sculptural one. he made great use of new materials available at the time and organic shapes, he undoubtedly helped form knoll’s identity and withstand its reputation. Over the next 15 years he would be the father of some of Knoll’s best designs and concepts.

Below we see one of Saarinen's most infamous and recognisable works which was completed after his death in 1962. The curves and beautiful details are what make it so evident who the designer is. Saarinen wanted to create a concept which reflected flight which is why he used the curves to sculpt a wing like structure. The ceilings flow into walls which flow into floors making it a whole structure rather than multi faceted. Although it stopped operating in 2002 the terminal is still a landmark at the airport.

TWA terminal 1962 - Eero Saarinen

Interior of TWA terminal - 1962

Referencing :

Spotlight: Eliel & Eero Saarinen | ArchDaily. 2015. Spotlight: Eliel & Eero Saarinen | ArchDaily. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.archdaily.com/265080/happy-birthdays-eliel-eero-saarinen/. [Accessed 30 January 2015].

TWA Flight Center - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 2015. TWA Flight Center - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. [ONLINE] Available at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TWA_Flight_Center. [Accessed 30 January 2015].