Charles Eames facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charles Eames
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| Born |
Charles Ormond Eames Jr.
June 17, 1907 |
| Died | August 21, 1978 (aged 71) St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
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| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Washington University in St. Louis |
| Occupation | Architect (unlicensed), Designer, Filmmaker |
| Years active | 1930–1978 |
| Known for | Partnership with wife Ray Eames and the collective work of The Eames Office |
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Notable work
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Eames House |
| Children | Lucia Dewey Eames |
Charles Ormond Eames Jr. (born June 17, 1907 – died August 21, 1978) was a famous American designer, architect, and filmmaker. He worked closely with his wife, Ray Kaiser Eames. Together, they made huge contributions to architecture, furniture design, and industrial design. They also explored photography and manufacturing.
Contents
Who Was Charles Eames?
Charles Eames' Early Life
Charles was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on June 17, 1907. His father, Charles Eames Sr., worked in railway security. His mother was Marie Adele Celine Eames. Charles had an older sister named Adele. From a young age, Charles was very interested in architecture and photography.
Charles Eames' Education
Charles studied architecture at Washington University in St. Louis. He even received a scholarship for his studies. After two years, he left the university. Some say he left because his ideas were "too modern." He admired architects like Frank Lloyd Wright. Other stories suggest he was also working as an architect at the time. This made it hard to balance his studies and work.
Charles Eames' First Marriage
While at Washington University, Charles met Catherine Woermann. They got married in 1929. A year later, they had a daughter named Lucia Dewey Eames. Charles and Catherine were married for over ten years.
Early Architecture Work
In 1930, Charles started his own architecture business in St. Louis. He worked with a partner named Charles Gray. Later, Walter Pauley joined them.
Some of their early projects included:
- Sweetzer House in St. Louis, Missouri (1931)
- St. Mary's Church in Helena, Arkansas (1934)
- St. Mary's Catholic Church in Paragould, Arkansas (1935)
- Meyer House in Huntleigh, Missouri (1936–1938)
- Dinsmoor House in St. Louis, Missouri (1936)
- Dean House in St. Louis, Missouri (1936)
Charles Eames was greatly inspired by the Finnish architect Eliel Saarinen. Eliel's son, Eero, also became a famous architect and a good friend of Charles.
Cranbrook and Furniture Design
In 1938, Charles moved to Michigan with his family. He went to the Cranbrook Academy of Art to study architecture further. He quickly became an instructor there. He also became the head of the industrial design department.
While at Cranbrook, Charles and Eero Saarinen designed furniture. Their designs won awards in a competition held by New York's Museum of Modern Art. This is where Charles met Ray Kaiser. She was a student at Cranbrook and helped with graphic design for the project.
Their work showed a new way of molding wood. Charles and Ray later developed this technique even more. They used it to create many molded plywood products. These included chairs and other furniture. They also made splints and stretchers for the US Navy during World War II.
In Popular Culture The famous black chair used on the British TV show "Mastermind" was designed by Charles Eames.
Partnership with Ray Kaiser
In 1941, Charles married his Cranbrook colleague, Ray Kaiser. They moved to Los Angeles, California, during their honeymoon. They lived and worked there together for the rest of their lives. As Charles and Ray Eames, they became two of the most famous designers of the 20th century worldwide.
The Eames House
In Los Angeles, Charles and Ray joined the Case Study House Program. This program was sponsored by Arts & Architecture magazine. It aimed to show how modern, affordable homes could be built using wartime and industrial materials.
Charles and Eero Saarinen were asked to design two homes. Case Study House number 8 would be for Charles and Ray. Case Study House number 9 would be for John Entenza, the magazine's editor. These homes were planned for a five-acre plot in Pacific Palisades, overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Because of material shortages after the war, their first design for the Eames House was delayed. Charles and Ray spent time at the site. They fell in love with the eucalyptus grove and the ocean view. They decided to change their plans. Instead of one "Bridge House," they designed two separate buildings. These buildings were nestled into the hillside. Eero Saarinen was not involved in this second design. It was a full collaboration between Charles and Ray.
The materials finally arrived, and the house was built from February to December 1949. The Eameses moved in on Christmas Eve. It was their only home for the rest of their lives. Today, it is an important example of modern architecture. The Eames Foundation, a non-profit group started by Lucia Eames, now manages it.
The Eames Office also designed a few other buildings. The Herman Miller Showroom in Los Angeles was built in 1950. The De Pree House was built in Zeeland, Michigan. Many other projects, like the Billy Wilder House, were never built.
The Eames Office
From 1943 until Charles's death in 1978, Charles and Ray worked together. They had a team of staff. Together, they created an amazing variety of design work across many different areas.
Charles Eames' Death
Charles Eames passed away from a heart attack on August 21, 1978. He was on a trip in his hometown of St. Louis at the time. He is buried in the Calvary Cemetery in St. Louis. He also has a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame.
Charles Eames' Philosophy
In 1970 and 1971, Charles Eames gave special lectures at Harvard University. He shared his ideas and philosophy there. He told a story he called "the banana leaf parable." In southern India, a banana leaf is a very simple eating utensil. He used this to explain how design can start simple and become wonderfully complex.
See also
In Spanish: Charles Eames para niños
