Designed by Le Corbusier with Pierre Jeanneret and Charlotte Perriand, the "chaise longue à réglage continu" - also known asB306 - was presented at the "Salone d'Automne" in Paris in 1929 as part of the "Equipement interieur d'une habitation (Interior equipment of a room)".
Certainly, the most famous classic of the "Le Corbusier group," is constituted by two independent elements: the base and the cradle (seat or rest). The cradle - the form follows the curve of the human body - appears to move on its base and it can slide without any mechanisms, with a continual gliding that allows for any angle and it remains stable thanks to the friction of steel and the rubber covering the crosspieces of the base.
Le Corbusier defined it as the "true resting machine" and mentioned having thought of a cowboy while designing, smoking his pipe, sitting with his feet up, supported on the edge of the fireplace.
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Lounge chairs
The "Lounge Chair" ("and Ottoman", 1955) is the only Eames model which deliberately acquiesces to the world of luxury and opulence. Above all, it represents a decisive contribution to the modern design of the '50s, which, freed of the austere geometric forms of the '20s, moved towards more sculpted and organic shapes.
Eames wanted to design a comfortable yet simple armchair, whose frame and upholstery are fused like two hands crossed together. This is the explanation he gave his wife, or at least that's how the story goes. The result fully respects his intentions: the armchair appears to wrap itself around the body like a glove, allowing the user to sink in slowly, just the way Eames intended it. Without in any way minimizing its innovative aspects regarding materials: multi-layered curved rosewood for the three wooden "frames," pressure-cast aluminium (painted black and polished in the upper section) for the five-spoked base.
Permanently on display at MoMA in New York.
