Latest news with #CharlesEames
Fast Company
05-08-2025
- Business
- Fast Company
This old Birkenstock factory will soon be a gorgeous ode to the Eames design legacy
The designers Charles and Ray Eames were two of the most important designers of the 20th century, and their legacy of innovative furniture, product, and industrial design continues to have an influence today. Now, the foundation that carries the couple's torch is planning to open a new museum that explores their work and its enduring impact on the design world. The Eames Institute of Infinite Curiosity just announced the purchase of a disused corporate campus in the San Francisco Bay Area that it will be converting into a large-scale art and design museum. With an adaptive reuse design by the architecture firms EHDD and Herzog & de Meuron, known for its work on the Tate Modern art museum in London and the De Young Museum in San Francisco, the new museum will focus on design through the lens of purpose. The Eames Institute expects to open the museum before 2030. John Cary, president and CEO of the Eames Institute, says the museum is a dream project that's finally taking form. 'When we conceived of the Eames Institute seven years ago, we always wanted to create a very large, high-capacity venue for the community and the public to come and experience art and design in ways that they might not be able to otherwise,' he says. The Eames Institute is still in the early stages of thinking through the curatorial angle for the museum, but Cary says it will be undeniably Eamesian. 'We're especially inclined toward problem-solving design, the kind of design that actually addresses a need. What we're really interested in is trying to untangle the process from the product. That's something that the Eameses did so well.' Known best for iconic furniture pieces like their molded wood lounge chair and ottoman, the Eameses were multihyphenate designers who worked on projects ranging from World War II leg splints to lamps, children's toys, and educational films. Cary says this range of output—and the emphasis on designing things people needed—makes the Eameses' work continually relevant. He says the new museum will celebrate this legacy of design work and house the official Eames archive, while also championing newer generations of designers and artists, as well as emerging talents. 'We're interested in really teasing out the life stories of these creatives. What were their trajectories? How did they come to be who they are?' Cary says. Located about 30 miles north of San Francisco in the city of Novato, the museum project is adapting a 1960s-era corporate campus and distribution center originally designed for the publisher McGraw-Hill, and used most recently by the shoemaker Birkenstock. The 88-acre campus was designed by John Savage Bolles, a modernist architect who designed San Francisco's Candlestick Park stadium and the IBM campus in San Jose. Despite the Novato campus being mostly a utilitarian warehouse, it jumps out from its freeway-adjacent landscape with a boldly layered shark-tooth roofline in bright white. After Birkenstock left in 2019, it sat unused. 'I fell in love with that warehouse, mostly by driving by a lot, then managing to sneak my way in. Authorized, but nonetheless, it wasn't on the market at that point or anything,' Cary says. 'I just am pretty relentless about things.' The campus eventually went up for sale, and Cary says the Eames Institute had to beat out some stiff competition to take it over. They bought the property for $36 million and have been working with Herzog & de Meuron for the past few months to come up with conceptual designs for adapting the warehouse, an adjacent office building, and the site's vast landscape. advertisement Herzog & de Meuron have deep experience creating museum spaces, including the Tate Modern in London and the De Young Museum in San Francisco, and in adaptive reuse. According to Simon Demeuse, partner at Herzog & de Meuron, the firm is 'deeply committed to working with existing buildings whenever possible.' Turning a former goods distribution facility into a museum offers the potential to rethink how collections are made accessible to the public, he says, via email. 'The Eameses explored the world and their designs in a very open manner, leading to new ways of understanding and seeing their surroundings,' says Demeuse. 'This building will allow its stewards and visitors to experience the collections and exhibits in an open manner as well, from many different perspectives and vantage points that can evolve over time.' Despite sitting right next to Highway 101, which expands from four to six lanes across the span of the campus, berms around its edges make the property surprisingly quiet. 'That kind of acoustical protection was really, really appealing,' Cary says. It's a bucolic condition that's led the Eames Institute and the architects to think about the warehouse building as a kind of indoor-outdoor space. Made up of five long bays that once held canyons of pallets full of schoolbooks and, later, sandals, the warehouse's edges could feasibly open up wide to allow programming to spill outward. Partly subterranean, the warehouse stays naturally cool, which works well for preserving artwork and archival materials, as well as for handling the region's hot summers. These conditions all play into the problem-solving ethos of the Eames Institute. Adapting the building to a new use instead of simply building from scratch is squarely on brand. But Cary is cautious to note that this is not a museum about the Eameses, or at least not only that. 'We're really interested in creating a multigenerational offering for a truly multigenerational audience,' he says. 'While we will always celebrate the Eameses as the seed of all of this, we have the chance to create an even bigger canvas and to bring others into it.' The early-rate deadline for Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies Awards is Friday, September 5, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Apply today.
Fast Company
24-07-2025
- General
- Fast Company
The Eames House in L.A. is open again after closing during the fires
After closing for five months due to smoke damage from the Palisades Fire, the Eames House (Case Study House #8) in Los Angeles has reopened to visitors—now with a more determined mission to serve as a place of community. Nearly 7,000 buildings were destroyed in the Palisades Fire, and though the Eames House was spared, cleanup efforts have been intensive. A crew took about a week to wipe away flame retardant that had been dropped to slow the fire from advancing from the outside of the home. They also dug up the property's plantings beds so the soil could be replaced due to concerns about toxic materials. 'We were very fortunate,' says Lucia Atwood, the granddaughter of architects Charles and Ray Eames who built the Pacific Palisades home in 1949. The home is a model of resilience, but its stewards were also proactive. Atwood tells Fast Company interventions began in 2011 to better fire- and drought-proof the home, which is a National Historic Landmark and on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Those efforts that took on greater urgency after the Getty Fire in 2019. 'At that point it became very clear that there were going to be an increasing number of of extremely damaging fires,' says Atwood, the former executive director of the Eames Foundation. The foundation has worked to harden the landscape, a process that included clearing brush and removing some of the more than 250 trees that were on the property. Subscribe to the Design latest innovations in design brought to you every weekday SIGN UP Reopening events this month with local leaders, neighbors, and fire survivors have turned the Eames House into an Eames home for the community, as is the case for patrons of the Palisades Library, which was destroyed in the fires. After offering the library the use of the property, including the home's studio, which is open to the public for the first time, for events like book clubs and sales, the head of the library got emotional, says Adrienne Luce, who was announced the Eames Foundation's first non-family member executive director in April. 'This place is for you,' Luce recalls telling the library's head, and she says she started to choke up. 'Being so close to the devastation actually is a wonderful opportunity to serve and support the local community and long-term community rebuilding efforts.' Reopening means 'really engaging and serving the local community,' Luce says.
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Eames House Reopens Post-L.A. Wildfires, Family Announces New Foundation and Fire Resilience Efforts
It was a close call for the Pacific Palisades, Calif., home of legendary American designers Charles and Ray Eames. After five months of closure due to smoke damage from the Palisades fires, the Eames House has finally reopened to the public, representatives of the Eames family told WWD on Friday. The 1.4-acre site sits adjacent to a meadow of eucalyptus trees just north of Santa Monica. Its materials, interior collections and landscaping are maintained as they were during Charles' and Ray's lifetimes; all three elements tell the story of the couple's life and work, which includes the famous galaxy pendant lamp and their iconic Eames chair. More from WWD Miu Miu Taps Kylie Jenner, Lou Doillon, Rila Fukushima and More for Its Fall 2025 Campaign Immersive K-beauty Pop-up Lands in Hollywood Tariffs at 30 Percent Would Be a Tipping Point for European Furniture- and Lighting-makers The home, which was completed in 1949, was spared from the Los Angeles wildfires earlier this year, but sustained considerable smoke damage. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 2007. The midcentury modern landmark known as Case Study House No. 8 has undergone a meticulous process of restoration and cleaning. For the first time, the couple's studio, adjacent to the main living space, will be open to the public. It will now serve as a site for exhibitions, workshops and meeting space. A New Foundation In tandem with the reopening of the Eames House, the Eames family launched the Charles and Ray Eames Foundation, an initiative dedicated to preserving and advancing the legacy of the two American international creative visionaries. Today, their studio, the Eames Office, is still in operation and owns the intellectual property for all of the Eames' designs and assets. It continues as a cultural and commercial entity and is the main benefactor of the new Charles and Ray Eames foundation also announced that it will convene the first Eames Conference in Los Angeles in 2026, creating a new forum for professional dialogue between Eames scholars and institutions like the Library of Congress, the Vitra Design Museum, The Henry Ford, the Eames Institute of Infinite Curiosity and The Museum of Modern Art. The Eames' grandson said the family is focused on carrying on Charles' and Ray's legacy for future generations. 'As grandchildren, it has been our honor to ensure that Charles and Ray continue to make a global impact. Their work extended far beyond their most recognizable contributions in furniture and architecture — it was philosophy, photography, art, exhibition design, toys, lighting design, architecture. It is our responsibility to ensure those contributions are not lost. This next chapter is about succession planning and looking ahead to future generations,' said the couple's grandson Eames Demetrios, who is the director of the Eames Office, and chairman of the Charles & Ray Eames Foundation. Non-family member Eckart Maise, former chief design officer at Vitra and fourth generation Eames family member Jackie Cassel were appointed to its board of directors, which includes Charles and Ray's five grandchildren. Fire Resilience Is Key The board also appointed Adrienne Luce as executive director of the foundation. Luce was formerly executive director of the HMC Designing Futures Foundation in Los Angeles. Luce said ensuring fire resilience is imperative to the survival of the estate for years to come and is central to the foundation's long-term vision. As part of the foundation's 250 Year Project to conserve this historic landmark, it will implement a holistic, multilayered strategy that balances preservation with innovation. This includes a robust landscape management plan to fire-harden the site, restore native vegetation, install an underground cistern to support emergency response, and embrace emerging exterior fire protection technologies. 'These efforts are complemented by community convenings and research initiatives that advance broader wildfire recovery and long-term regional resilience,' she told WWD. The foundation already hosted two gatherings in the studio — one with neighbors, wildfire survivors and community leaders, and another with architects from Case Study: Adapt, a union of 10 of Los Angeles' leading architecture firms, which work together to redefine residential design for a changing climate and address challenges facing the Palisades and support broader wildfire recovery efforts.
Time Business News
17-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Time Business News
Stylish Comfort Charles Eames Lounge Chair Replica for UK & European Homes
Feeling stuck trying to find a lounge chair that's both pretty and comfy without spending too much? The Charles Eames lounge chair replica is the solution, bringing the well-known charm of Charles and Ray Eames to UK and European homes at a price that makes sense. Stylo Furniture puts real care into building this replica, mixing elegance with everyday usefulness. After years of enjoying furniture that makes a space better, I'm keen to share why this chair is a lovely way to perk up your home. The Charles Eames lounge chair replica brings together good looks and ease, pleasing UK and European buyers. Here's what catches the eye: Nice price: Grab the Charles and Ray Eames lounge chair feel starting at £619.00, with savings up to 47.1%. feel starting at £619.00, with savings up to 47.1%. Strong materials: Made with seven-layer plywood, soft leather, and a solid aluminium base. Cozy support: A gentle tilt and cushioned seat keep you relaxed for hours. Fits any room: Works in neat, warm, or bold spaces, from lounges to offices. Kind to the planet: Built with materials chosen with the environment in mind. Easy to assemble: Simple steps make it ready to enjoy quickly. Your choice: Pick rosewood, walnut, or ashwood with black, brown, or white leather. This lounge chair Charles Eames replica carries the spirit of the original Eames lounge chair at a price you'll love. In 1956, Charles and Ray Eames took a plain club chair and turned it into something fresh and welcoming. Charles wanted it to feel like a 'well-loved baseball glove,' soft and friendly. Their lounge chair, Charles and Ray Eames' design, became a favorite, but its cost kept it out of reach for many. Stylo Furniture's Charles Eames lounge chair replica makes that style available for UK and European homes. Imagine frames in rosewood, walnut, or ashwood, wrapped in smooth leather—black, brown, or white. The chair's five-star aluminium base spins with ease, while the ottoman's four-star base stays steady. Hand-stitched cushions filled with fire-retardant foam offer a comfy spot to sit. I once plopped into an Eames-style chair at a friend's cheerful flat in Newcastle. Its clean shape and soft cushion made me want one for my own space. Stylo's Charles Eames lounge chair and ottoman brings that same happiness. This chair fits any corner, from busy city flats to quiet country cottages. Its look has turned up in films, magazines, and art galleries, showing it never goes out of style. Whether you're resting with a book or jazzing up your office, this replica adds a bit of joy. Stylo Furniture's lounge chair Charles Eames replica is made for UK and European living. Here's what you'll find: Seven-layer plywood: Holds up strong without bending over time. Top-grain leather: Soft and tough, in black, brown, or white. Hand-stitched cushions: Packed with fire-retardant foam for steady comfort. Spinning base: Five-star aluminium in chrome or black for smooth turns. Matching ottoman: Four-star base for solid, relaxing support. Wood options: Rosewood, walnut, or ashwood to match your room. Small size: Chair is 85cm(w) x 82cm(h) x 85-91cm(d); Ottoman is 63cm(w) x 42cm(h) x 56cm(d). Easy care: Wipe leather with a damp cloth and keep it away from heat to stay nice. Good value: Starts at £619.00, with savings up to 47.1%. Light to move: Simple to shift when you rearrange your space. This replica keeps the Eames lounge chair's original charm while being just right for everyday use. What's different about the replica compared to the original? The Charles Eames lounge chair replica matches the original's style and comfort but uses simpler materials to keep costs down. It has the same warm feel, perfect for UK and European homes. Will it fit in a small flat? Yes, its 85cm width works well in flats, offices, or cozy corners. The ottoman adds comfort without taking over. How do I look after the leather? Avoid sunlight and heat to stop it from wearing out. Wipe with a damp cloth and use leather conditioner every so often to keep it soft. Can I choose my own look? You can pick rosewood, walnut, or ashwood frames with black, brown, or white leather to suit your home. The Charles Eames lounge chair replica adds timeless beauty and cozy comfort to UK and European homes. With quality materials, smart design, and a price that fits, it's a delightful pick for any room. Make your space feel like yours with this chair. Visit Stylo Furniture to explore the Charles Eames lounge chair and ottoman collection. Stocks are limited—get yours today! TIME BUSINESS NEWS
