Image source: Herman Miller — Nelson Platform Bench
© Herman Miller and the respective rights holders. Quoted to accompany INTEBEE's independent design commentary and research.
Nelson Platform Bench
George Nelson's slatted bench of 1947, a seat, a low table or a base for the Basic Cabinet Series.
1829 × 356 × 470 mm
1947
Approx. $2,700 (reference price; varies by region and retailer)
Official product information
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Description
Overview
The Nelson Platform Bench is a slatted solid-wood bench by George Nelson, launched by Herman Miller in 1947 and reintroduced in 1994. It serves as a bench, a low table or a foundation for the Basic Cabinet Series.
Construction
Solid-wood slats in lap joints, assembled by hand and sealed with a clear-coat finish, on an ebonized wood or trivalent chrome metal base.
Specifications
The 72-inch bench is 72 in wide, 18.5 in deep and 14 in high; 48 and 60 inch widths are also offered.
Story
From a Fortune office to the Herman Miller catalog
Herman Miller's history article tells the story that Nelson designed a lean bench for his Fortune office, and notes that whether this origin story is strictly true, the bench holds a prime position in the history of Herman Miller. Nelson's first official collection for the company premiered in 1948.
A base for cases
The 1948 catalog described the bench as primarily a high base for cases, and Nelson used it as a platform for the Basic Cabinet Series, which the article traces to his Storage Wall.
Image source: Herman Miller — Nelson Platform Bench · © Herman Miller and the respective rights holders. Quoted to accompany INTEBEE's independent design commentary and research. · View official product page ↗ · Image use & copyright policy
More by George Nelson
Nelson Marshmallow Sofa
George Nelson's 1956 sofa of 18 round cushions floating on a brushed steel frame.
Nelson Swag Leg Armchair
A flexible two-part shell sits on George Nelson's pressure-formed steel legs.
Nelson Cane Bench
George Nelson's 1952 bench with a natural cane top and solid wood frame
Nelson Basic Cabinet Series
Modular storage with standardized proportions and configurable details
Collection
George Nelson Collection
The Nelson Collection at Herman Miller: George Nelson's Platform Bench, Daybed, Coconut Chair and Marshmallow Sofa, plus Thin Edge casegoods, lamps and clocks.
