Further Research - Eames firm

Charles and Ray Eames

Most known for their work with chairs, as they were graphic and textiles designers their designs help shaped the idea of modern furniture, but their work does not limited with interiors, they work with film and architecture, to the point that they were claimed to be two of the best designers of the 20th century(Cook, 2017)

Charles and Ray Eames

A curious fact is that they died on the same day, 21 August, ten years apart (KMP Furniture, 2025). Charles studied architecture at Washington University and dropped out of his studies after two years to found his firm and later return to  Cranbrook Academy of Art in Michigan to finish his studies. "We don’t do ‘art’ – we solve problems”, he believed that design was not only based on aesthetic purposes but on functionality.  His creative process was a very important part of hes creative carrer he also said “How do we get from where we are to where we want to be?”(Charles Eames) as his creative proces he tried to focus on practicatily that is the main reason he worked with plywood in his furniture projects.  They both gained popularity because of their efficient and purpose-based designs. Ray Eames said that “What works good is better than what looks good because what works good lasts.” Durability is also faced with the question of functionality.

The Bauhaus style is implemented in the majority of their work due to its functionality and the similar approach they have to their work. This principle of durability and fuctionality is something I have been wanting to implement on my design, as I have planned to make the design of the house for a client that will be living in it for a long time, but is also targeting the use of space and resources of the building and its surroundings. 

Case Study House #8

The House built between 1945 and 1962 was one of the nine case study houses the couple designed in Southern California, USA. The case studie houses including this building were design to be confortable and functional but it also helped them develop how a modular steel constrcution could be used for low-cost housing, as the community they lived in was still recovering from the ll world war, this program was created by John Enteza editor of the magazine Arts and architecture. The final designs implemented open plans for the independence and autonomy of the building and the occupants. It was planed initially in partnership with Eero Saarinen and due to complications the projects change the design, as it was finish, it was considered that the building bended with nature, flexible and confortable, this is probably one of the main purposes my design has, being confortable but for the space to the efficient and usefull, they made their designs as usefull as posible and also beautiful, my design will incorporate sustainability and fuctionality as well it will be appealing to the eye.

The reason I research these architects is that they use durability and take into account the inside and the outside, they paid detail in what the building looks like related to the surroundings, and he context on what it was built on, I for instance had a difficult time with this because I tried to make my building not extend out and that limited my design, I wanted to create something that was not out of place, that merge with the surroundings they implement this so well additionally the way they use materials to extend the durability of the design is something I was very interested in. 

References 

Cook, W. (2017). Charles and Ray Eames: The couple who shaped the way we live. [online] Bbc.co.uk. Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/culture/article/20171218-charles-and-ray-eames-the-couple-who-shaped-the-way-we-live [Accessed 22 Apr. 2025].

Eames Office (2014). Case Study House 9: The Entenza House | Eames Office. [online] www.eamesoffice.com. Available at: https://www.eamesoffice.com/the-work/case-study-house-9/ [Accessed 22 Apr. 2025].

Eames Office (2015). Case Study House #8. [online] Eames Office. Available at: https://www.eamesoffice.com/the-work/case-study-house-8/[Accessed 22 Apr. 2025].

Perez, A. (2010). AD Classics: Eames House / Charles and Ray Eames. [online] ArchDaily. Available at: https://www.archdaily.com/66302/ad-classics-eames-house-charles-and-ray-eames [Accessed 22 Apr. 2025].

KMP Furniture (2025). Charles and Ray Eames - Fire Collection. [online] Kmpfurniture.com. Available at: https://www.kmpfurniture.com/designer-news/charles-and-ray-eames-life-death-and-design_136.html [Accessed 22 Apr. 2025]. https://www.archdaily.com/782050/ad-classics-case-study-house-9-entenza-charles-ray-eames-eero-saarinen-associates