When Charles & Ray Eames were asked to design outdoor furniture, they departed from their previous shell models and went with an aluminum frame with fabric/leather stretched over it instead. Funnily, these new Aluminum Group chairs were not successful as outdoor furniture, but became iconic office chairs instead. There are three distinct families of chairs. All of them are still in production, by Vitra for Europe, and Herman Miller for the rest of the world. Due to their price point, unlicensed copies are plentiful.

One fun fact is that the caster models originally had four wheels, but eventually switched to the more modern five-point feet.

The original Aluminum Group chairs

These were introduced in 1958. Vitra offers 13 different models. These result from various combinations of

• swiveling or non-swiveling
• medium or high backrest
• armrests or no armrests
• casters or felt glides

Vitra groups them like this:

• EA 101/103/104: Dine model. Non-swivel/no armrests, non-swivel/armrests, swivel/armrests.
• EA 105/107/108: Conference model. Non-swivel/no armrests, non-swivel/armrests, swivel/armrests.
• EA 117/118/119: Work model. All on casters and with armrests. 117/118 is medium backrest, 119 high backrest.
• EA 124: Lounge model.
• EA 125: Ottoman for the Lounge model.
• EA 131/132: Home Office model. The 117/118 without casters.

You can choose from different coverings (mesh, textiles, leather), and colors. EU prices range from around €1,800 to €5,500 depending upon model and material. US prices are a bit lower, with the EA 101 starting at around US$ 1,200. Below image shows the EA 119 “Executive” model. Herman Miller calls the medium backrest models Management and the high backrest Executive.

The Soft Pad Group

The Soft Pad Group was introduced in 1969. It follows the same basic design, but with thicker cushions instead of the thin covering. Vitra offers 8 different models:

• EA 205/207/208. Conference model. Non-swivel/no armrests, non-swivel/armrests, swivel/armrests.
• EA 217/219: Work model. Both on casters and with armrests. 217 is medium backrest, 219 high backrest.
• EA 222/223: Lounge model, 223 is the Ottoman.
• EA 231: Home Office model, i.e. the 217 without casters.

EU prices start at around €2,700 for the EA 205 and go up to €5,700 for the EA 219 in premium leather. Once again, US prices are a bit lower, with the EA 217 starting at around US$ 2,400 compared to €3,600. Below image shows the EA 217 “Management” model. The medium backrest models are my favorite of all chairs described here when it comes to looks.

Executive Chair

The Eames Executive Chair (not to be confused with the Executive height models of the Aluminum group), also called the Lobby Chair (with model number ES 104) by Vitra, was designed for the Time & Life Building in New York and released in 1960. While technically not part of the Aluminum Group, it shares both design and construction features. Like the Aluminum Group chairs, it is used on Mad Men, which starting in season four locates the office of Sterling Cooper in the Time & Life Building. It could also be seen as a precursor to the Soft Pad Group. Where the Aluminum Group chairs are very sleek, this is a more massive design with heavy aluminum bracing and exposed screws.

It is currently only available in a single office chair configuration. The original lounge models without casters or adjustment have been discontinued quite a while ago. Be prepared for a bit of sticker shock: EU prices start at €7,800, only leather is available. Once again, US customers are more lucky. Here it is available in a fabric version, starting at around US$ 3,700, and leather starting at US$ 4,200. This is a model that I think looks good in colors other than black, too.