Eames Compact Sofa, Eames Sofa Compact

Quick Intro

What is an Eames ‘Sofa Compact’?

A sleek and extremely modern design. The ‘Sofa Compact’ is an armless, narrow (in terms of its cushion depth) and very versatile sofa inspired by the built-in sofa the Eames’s designed for their own home.

The design we now know began with a wire frame prototype in 1951 but, due to the labor involved, proved too costly and time-consuming to put into production until 3 years later when the ‘Sofa Compact’ was born.

The futuristic design also featured a ‘collapsible’ backrest to make it easier to ship the sofa and to store it. It was made available in a wide range of vinyl, leather and cloth fabric finishes which made much use of Alexander Girard’s own designs produced for Herman Miller.

The design was liked by the Eames’ so much they used one in the front office of the Venice Studio and in their home – placed close to its early ancestor, the built-in version. The sofa was also one of the final ‘low-cost’ pieces produced by the Eames office and was also one of the final pieces designed at a time when furniture was still the Office’s main concern.

Since 1982 the compact sofa was still shipped flat but with 'one-way' screws which essentially locked the sofa upright once connected. This decision was made for safety concerns and frustrated owners that could not flatten the piece for moving or storage. Owners have often sought to replace the one way screws with the older Phillips type for this reason. The sofa has been made without interruption since 1954.

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Specification

What are the original sizes of the Eames ‘Sofa Compact’?

Height	35.00”	88.90 cm
Width	72.50"	184.15 cm
Depth	30"	76.20 cm
Seat height	16"	40.64 cm

The Materials that went into producing the ‘Sofa Compact’ were:

Frame	Black Enameled Steel Frame
Legs	Chrome Finished Steel
Cushions	Urethane Foam enclosed in a choice of Vinyl, Leather or Fabric
Paneling	Plywood

Buying Tips and Authenticity

Is my Eames Compact Sofa authentic? What makes it valuable?

The compact sofa will always have originally had one of a few varying types of label over the years, from medallion, black strip, silver strip and oblong. The label is to be found on the underside of the frame.
We have no knowledge of the design being copied or reproduced so the chances of authenticity, even in the absence of a label, is extremely high.
The distinguishing feature of the Compact Sofa over the 3473 Sofa is the number of cushions, 2 on the compact and 3 on the 3473.
The earlier 'collapsible' versions of the sofa (pre 1982) are more desirable for this feature but owners of the later fixed version can convert it to the same by removing the two one-way screws.
The legs of the Compact Sofa should also removable for storage or moving.

The Eames Compact Sofa has been in continuous production since 1954 but only ever sold average numbers. It is an anomaly in the sense that the vintage version can often be found at less than half the price of a new production. It makes absolute sense therefore to scour the secondary market for the piece as it will offer greater value for money.
The upholstery of the sofa is the highest determining factor when it comes to value. The use of fabrics and leather do outweigh the desirability of Naugahyde versions and original special Alexander Girard designs are the most sought after.
Check not only the condition of the fabric from holes and tears but also the piping edging of the cushions and especially the filling itself. The urethane foam can break down over time if the environment is not especially friendly.