Image source: Vitra — Eames Soft Pad Group
© Vitra and the respective rights holders. Quoted to accompany INTEBEE's independent design commentary and research.
Collection Story
Origin
Vitra dates the Soft Pad Group to 1969 and credits it to Charles & Ray Eames. Vitra sees the Aluminium Group behind these chairs in construction and form, with sewn-on cushions as the point of difference against the slender aluminium profiles. The Eames Office, which also dates the group 1969, says the chairs evolved from the Aluminum Group and gives double-needle top stitching on deep, thickly padded cushions as a mark of the design.
Design Language
The page calls the chairs softer and fuller than the Aluminium Group chairs while the shared silhouette stays clear, and says they adapt to the body of the person sitting. Upholstery is fabric or leather over an aluminium frame.
Image source: Vitra — Eames Soft Pad Group · © Vitra and the respective rights holders. Quoted to accompany INTEBEE's independent design commentary and research. · View official website ↗ · Image use & copyright policy
Key Pieces
- Soft Pad Chairs EA 205/207/208 – Conference
- Soft Pad Chairs EA 217/219 – Work
- Soft Pad Chair EA 222 – Lounge and EA 223 – Lounge
- Soft Pad Chair EA 231 – Home Office
Pieces in this collection
Soft Pad Chair EA 223
Eames stool for the EA 222 lounge chair, with a sewn-on cushion and an aluminium base, 1969.
Soft Pad Chairs EA 205/207/208
Eames conference chairs with three sewn-on cushions: EA 205, 207 fixed, EA 208 swivel, 1969.
Soft Pad Chaise ES 106
Eames chaise developed for Billy Wilder, with six zippered cushions on an aluminium frame, 1968.
Soft Pad Chair EA 222
Eames lounge chair with a high back, five sewn-on cushions and a weight-adjusting tilt, 1969.
Soft Pad Chairs EA 217/219
Eames office swivel chairs with weight-adjusting tilt: EA 217 medium back, EA 219 high back, 1969.
Soft Pad Chair EA 231
Eames home-office chair: upright seat angle, adjustable tilt, glides instead of castors, 1969.
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