Eero Saarinen (1910 – 1961)
Finnish-American Architect
Whether designing furniture, airports, or grand monuments, Eero Saarinen was famous for innovative, sculptural forms.
Eero Saarinen began his career designing furniture in collaboration with Charles Eames. Their work was featured in the 1940 exhibition “Organic Design in Home Furnishings” at the The Museum of Modern Art in New York.
Although Eero Saarinen’s early education was grounded in Art Nouveau, he was drawn to the streamlined International Style. However, Saarinen’s most famous works, like the TWA Terminal at Kennedy Airport, are sweeping and expressive. Eero Saarinen is often cited as a master of Neo-expressionism.
Eero Saarinen was also a product designer. He designed furniture with curving, organic shapes. Examples include the “Tulip” chair and a collection of Pedestal tables. Saarinen said the objective of these furniture designs was to clear the “slum of legs” from home interiors.
Notable Buildings:
1946-1956: General Motors Technical Center, Warren, Michigan
1955-1957: Milwaukee County War Memorial Center
1957: Miller House, Columbus, Indiana
1958-1962: Washington Dulles International Airport, Chantilly, Virginia
1961-1966: Gateway Arch, St. Louis, Missouri
1956-1962: TWA Flight Center at JFK Airport, New York, NY
