It’s time to bring the designer influence series back to some of the most important, classic, Mid-Century Modern designers of our time. One designer, architect and furniture designer that is quite recognizable, both for furniture and architecture is Marcel Breuer. You might not be familiar with all of his work, but you’ll definitely recognize a piece or two of his the most—many of his have become some of the most important designs in this century!
His most famous furniture piece by far is the Wassily Chair, which he designed in 1925 after finding inspiration from his own metal bicyle’s curvy frame. If you’ve never seen the Wassily Chair, it’s a heady mix of tubular steel in a modern, boxy chair shape, combined with cowhide strips of upholstery to create a seat and back for support. It’s surprisingly comfortable, aesthetically masculine and takes its place as one of the most important pieces of furniture in our history.
His most famous furniture piece by far is the Wassily Chair, which he designed in 1925 after finding inspiration from his own metal bicyle’s curvy frame. If you’ve never seen the Wassily Chair, it’s a heady mix of tubular steel in a modern, boxy chair shape, combined with cowhide strips of upholstery to create a seat and back for support. It’s surprisingly comfortable, aesthetically masculine and takes its place as one of the most important pieces of furniture in our history.
Because of the Wassily Chair and other designs, Breuer became a pioneer of tubular steel-designed furniture, though he later worked with innovative wood materials in his furniture design. Having studied and taught at the famous German school the Bauhaus in the 1920s, he established himself early on as a good teacher, as well. In the 1930s Breuer moved to London to escape Nazi Germany. He later moved to the United States, working in architecture and teaching at Harvard. He worked on many residential projects until the 1950s when he moved back to Europe to work on larger projects, like the famous Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City in the early 1960s. Other buildings he’s worked on are the UNESCO headquarters, Saint John's Abbey Church and the AT Tower in Cleveland, Ohio.
Other notable furniture pieces he created was Slatted chairs, Laccio Tables, a folding Wassily chair, Cesca Chair & Armchair, Thornet Typist’s Desk and more. He passed away in 1981 after a full, long life contributing to many creative forms like architecture, design and furniture design. Though his work wasn’t as flashy as other contemporary designers, his designs are important and classic. 
