The Marshamllow Sofa is constructed with
black lacquered tubular frame and cross bars.
The Marshmallow sofa is
constructed with 18 cushions are made of polyurethane foam/dacron.
The
George Nelson Marshmallow Sofa is widely recognized as a brilliant idea
that was ahead of its time both aesthetically and technically.
This was
a contributing factor in the reason why only a couple hundred were
constructed. Through George Nelson's innovation of form and function,
this design is considered a permanent icon of the era. Each cushion is
individually upholstered and can be different colors. Please indicate
desired colors and pattern in the Notes section when placing your
order.
Dimensions: 148 x 76 x 100 cm ( W x D x H )
George Nelson (1908-1986) George Nelson was born in Hartford, Connecticut in 1908.
He died in New York City in 1986.
Together with Charles Ray Eames, one of the founding
fathers of American modernism. We like to think of George Nelson as
"The Creator of Beautiful and Practical Things".
George
Nelson studied Architecture at Yale University, where he graduated in
1928. He also received a bachelor degree in fine arts in 1931. A year
later while preparing for the Paris Prize competition he won the Rome
prize. With Eliot Noyes, Charles Eames and Walter B. Ford.
George
Nelson was part of a generation of architects that found too few
projects and turned successfully toward product, graphic and [interior
design].
Based in Rome he traveled
through Europe where he met a number of the modernist pioneers. A few
years later he returned to the U.S.A. to devote himself to writing.
Through his writing in "Pencil Points" he introduced Walter Gropius,
Mies van der Rohe, Le Corbusier and Gio Ponti to North America. At
"Architectural Forum" he was first associate editor (1935- 1943) and
later consultant editor (1944-1949). He defended sometimes ferociously
the modernist principles and irritated many of his colleagues who as
"industrial designers" made, according to Nelson too many concessions
to the commercial forces in industry.
By
1940 George Nelson had drawn popular attention with several innovative
concepts. In his post-war book: Tomorrow's House, for instance he
introduced the concept of the"family room". One of those innovative
concepts, the "storagewall" attracted the attention of D.J. De Pree,
Herman Miller's president. In 1945 De Pree asked him to become Herman
Miller's design director, an appointment that became the start of a
long series of successful collaborations with Ray and Charles Eames,
Harry Bertoia, Richard Schultz, Donald Knorr and Isamu Noguchi.
Although both Bertoia and Noguchi expressed later on regrets about
their involvement, it became a uniquely successful period for the
company and for George Nelson. He set new standards for the involvement
of design in all the activities of the company, and in doing so he
pioneered the practice of corporate image management, graphic programs
and signage.
George Nelson's catalogue
design and exhibition designs for Herman Miller close a long list of
involvements designed to make design to the most important driving
force in the company. From his start in the mid-forties to the
mid-eighties his office worked for and with the best of his times. At
one point Ettore Sottsass worked at his office. He was without any
doubt the most articulate and one of the most eloquent voices on design
and architecture in the U.S.A. of the 20th century. He was a teacher
and he did write extensively, organized conferences like the legendary
Aspen gatherings and published several books. Among the best known
designs are his marshmallow sofa, the coconut chair, the Catenary
group, his clocks and many other products that became milestones in the
history of a profession that he helped to shape.
