Looking for work inspiration? It may come from the very location in which you work, break that down further, and it may be the very place that you sit! Considering the sheer number of available options, it is no surprise that the table designs of Charles and Ray Eames make for ideal workplace choices, there is one for literally every occasion.
Charles and Ray Eames only completed one marketed dedicated desk design. Simply entitled the Eames Desk Unit (EDU for short) it was released alongside matching storage units and was part of their early work made predominantly with plywood and chrome. It was gorgeous design, first made during the early 1950’s, then brought back to the market in the late 1990’s. The design is very modular, could be customized and was notable with its colored or neutral side panels, interchangeable drawer units and Meccano style legs. The original EDU desks were not made for very long and are sought after and quite valuable in today’s secondary marketplace.
When it comes to defining Eames tables for the workplace, it is a matter of where do we start?
Early Eames tables were very much designed with the home in mind during the formative years of the Eames Office with manufacturing by Herman Miller, Kerkmann or the Evans Molded Plywood Company. But all this changed when the ‘Contract Table’ was born, released as part of the Alu Group in 1958 and featuring the super versatile pedestal base. The series was initially for home use too but Herman Miller recognized in the early 1960’s the potential for the range as a whole in the commercial market. Over the years, the Contract base tables have become mainstay options for offices, break rooms, conference rooms and even desks too.
The 1960’s would also see the Universal and Segmented Tables added to the Eames and Herman Miller Portfolio. The Segmented table design is nothing short of genius. With a system of interlocking stems, columns and legs, the customizable potential of the design meant that every single application could be taken of. Tables in all shapes and sizes were made, from 20 inch circular in white laminate to 20-foot conference table in stunning rosewood. The Universal based tables followed the same pattern of the Contract type and were ideal for use with their matching chairs.
Search the eames.com marketplace for all EDU desks and tables designed for the workplace.