Lounge Chair

'Why don't we make an updated version of the old English club chair?' With this comment, Charles Eames initiated the development of the Lounge Chair, a process that took several years. The design was intended to pair ultimate comfort with the highest quality in materials and craftsmanship, incorporating the combined expertise and insights Charles and Ray Eames had gained from all their past projects. The 1956 launch of the Lounge Chair set new standards: it was not only lighter, more elegant and more modern than the conventionally ponderous club chair, it was also more comfortable – not least because it was the first armchair to feature a swivel base. These characteristics led it to become one of the best known designs by Charles and Ray Eames and an iconic piece of contemporary furniture. The Lounge Chair is available from Vitra in two sizes: with classic proportions and with new, somewhat larger dimensions. The different leathers, fabrics, wooden shells and bases can be mixed and matched at will – making it easy to find just the right Lounge Chair for every interior and every taste and fancy. Vitra has produced the Lounge Chair by Charles and Ray Eames using the same manufacturing methods since the 1950s, but has continuously adapted the materials to reflect the latest advancements and insights. With the exception of palisander, the wood is now all sourced in Europe, the wooden shells are treated with water-based lacquers, the V-Foam cushions are recyclable, the leather is made with a tanning agent extracted from olive tree leaves, 95% of the aluminium is recycled and the covers can be removed for cleaning or replacement. However, the Lounge Chair's most significant contribution to sustainability remains its timeless design and long-lasting quality.