BIOGRAPHIES

Saarinen was the son of Eliel Gottlieb Saarinen, another well-known architect. Eero Saarinen studied sculpture at the Académie de la Grande Chaumière in Paris. 1930-1934 he studied architecture at the Yale School of Art and Architecture. He then entered his father's architectural office. He became a partner there. 1950s he opened his own architectural firm Eero Saarinen and Associates in Birmingham, Michigan. He won his first major public recognition in the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial competition in St. Louis. However, the enormous double parabolic arch was only realized posthumously after Eero Saarinen's death, 1965. Saarinen was initially strongly oriented towards the strict cubic forms of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, before he found over time more expressive forms strongly reminiscent of sketches by Erich Mendelsohn. Above all, its sweeping, free-supporting roof constructions are known. 1957 he designed the Milwaukee Art Museum. In addition to buildings, Eero Saarinen also designed furniture. Famous is his one-legged "Tulip Chair" with its wide, circular base. Eero Saarinen was chairman of the jury at the Sydney Opera House Competition from 1969 to 1957. He is said to have given this competition a decisive turn by highlighting the rejected design of the later winner Jørn Utzon among the documents and recommending the attention of the jury.

PRODUCTS BY Eero Saarinen

Tulip Side Chair, 1956

Tulip Armchair, 1956

Saarinen Side Table, 1956

Round Dining Table, 1957

Saarinen Tulip Stool, 1956

Saarinen Executive Chair, 1957

Saarinen Executive Arm, 1957

Organic Chair, 1940

Saarinen Executive Chair, 1957

Executive Swivel, 1957

Saarinen Executive Arm, 1957

Executive Swivel, 1957

Saarinen Executive Chair, 1957

Saarinen Executive Stool, 1957

Womb Lounge, 1948

Womb Ottoman, 1948