What do iconic furniture, international airports and the world’s largest arch have in common? Eero Saarinen.
Eero Saarinen, a Finnish-American architect and industrial designer, is responsible for some of our favorite, most recognizable and longstanding Mid Century Modern designs.
His work with Charles Eames and the Knoll Furniture Company produced pieces that often grace the pages of our magazine; and the Tulip and Womb chairs have been an influence on all Mid Century Modern furniture since their production.
If you’ve ever been on one of the millions of flights going through Dulles International Airport or the TWA Flight Center at JFK International Airport, you’ve experienced an Eero Saarinen design firsthand.
Nevertheless, The Gateway Arch, located in St. Louis, Missouri, and designed by Saarinen in 1947, is truly one of a kind. “The Gateway to the West” is a celebration of the western expansion of the United States and was conceived by Saarinen as a gift to the American people. Standing at 630 feet tall, it’s the world’s tallest stainless steel monument and arch. As an epic piece of architecture, Missouri’s tallest accessible building—and the first U.S. National Historic Landmark—The Gateway Arch is one of the most visited (4 million visitors annually) tourist attractions in the world.
Learn more about Saarinen’s designs such as North Christian Church and the Miller House. And of course, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest for more Mid Century Modern inspiration!
