Saarinen Executive Chair - Armless with Tubular Legs

Designed by Eero Saarinen

Eero Saarinen, 1950

Featured in nearly all Florence Knoll-designed interiors, the Saarinen Executive Chair remains one of the most popular Knoll designs. Introduced in 1950, the chair transformed the notion of what executive seating could be with its sculptural form and modern finishing.

Product story
After winning the Museum of Modern Art Organic Design Competition with Charles Eames for their experiments with bent plywood in 1941, Eero Saarinen was eager to continue exploring the possibilities of a chair that achieved comfort through the shape of its shell, not the depth of its cushioning. Initially, he began the investigation with designs for smaller fiberglass task chairs, but changed direction when Florence Knoll approached him and asked, "Why not take the bull by the horns and do the big one first? I want a chair that is like a basket full of pillows...something I can curl up in. While that's not exactly where Saarinen ended up, the suggestion inspired one of the most iconic, and comfortable, chairs of the modern furniture movement, The Womb Chair.
After completing the Womb Chair, Saarinen returned his focus to task seating, scaling down the concept and form of the womb into arm and armless chairs. Introduced as the 71 and 72 Series, the chairs replaced Florence Knoll's model 43 chairs as the Planning Unit's go-to seating solution. The iconic chair, often referred to as "that chair with the hole in the back, has been a staple of the Knoll portfolio for more than 60 years.

Designer
Born to world famous architect and Cranbrook Academy of Art Director Eliel Saarinen and textile artist Loja Saarinen, Eero Saarinen was surrounded by design his whole life. After meeting Florence Knoll at Cranbrook, Saarinen went on to design many of Knoll's most recognizable pieces, including the Tulip collection, the Womb chair, and the 70 Series of seating. In addition to these achievements, Saarinen became a leader of the second-generation modernists.

Specifications (Construction and Details)
- Available in a wide range of KnollTextiles and Spinneybeck® leathers
- Seat features molded, reinforced polyurethane back shell and a contoured plywood seat form
- Steel legs are seamless tubular steel with polished chrome plating, polished 18k gold plating, or black paint

Sustainable Design and Environmental Certification
- Learn more about Saarinen Executive Chair product certifications and materials at Ecomedes.