Michigan-based manufacturing company Steelcase has announced the creation of the Frank Lloyd Wright Racine Collection, a range of furniture that pays homage to the products designed by the famous architect in 1939 for the SC Johnson Administration Building in Racine, Wisconsin. Having worked with Wright to produce the furniture for the original 1939 building, Steelcase has sought to develop a new range that “reintroduces, reinterprets, and reimagines the classic furniture designs of Wright.”
Wright’s relationship with Steelcase began with the Johnson Wax Headquarters in 1939 and has continued through 1985 with their ongoing stewardship of Wright’s Meyer May House in Grand Rapids, Michigan. For their latest endeavor, Steelcase is collaborating with the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation to launch reintroductions of iconic furniture by Wright, as well as create newly authored designers inspired by Wright’s principles.
The projects are being informed by a study of the Foundation’s archives, as well as a reflection on Wright’s advocacy for organic architecture: “to make life more beautiful, the world a better one for living in, and to give rhyme, reason, and meaning to life.”
Reinterpreting the original line of furniture for the Johnson Wax Headquarters, Steelcase’s Racine Collection includes new desk sizes that feature broader dimensions and proportions, as well as an expanded material palette to offer more design variety. The collection also includes new objects such as a lounge chair in order to broaden the collection’s social and lifestyle applications.
“Merging beauty and function in his philosophy of organic architecture, Wright’s unique furniture for the SC Johnson building’s Great Workroom pioneered a new way to work,” the company explains. “Our reintroduction of these pieces in the Signature collection closely captures the spirit and unforgettable look of his designs. We’ve faithfully matched the style and finishes of the original furniture, implementing only subtle adjustments to the collection’s proportions and scale to support modern users.”
News of the collection comes weeks after the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation collaborated with artist David Romero on the production of 3D images depicting unbuilt skyscrapers designed by Wright.
7 Comments
why?
Racine Signature Desk (without chair) $9750.
I want one. . . .
Throw in an Eames office chair and Corbu credenza, and you'll be working in style. Also in poverty.
But that desk is beautiful, yes.
I'm a slob. I don't deserve it.
Actually, I'm fashionably untidy. I'd never be able to settle down there.
It great to see these. I like the signature desk a lot. The chair is a little clumsy, in my opinion.
These look awesome! Let's do this more often.
They talk to each other. This has put me in a good mood today, given the world now, activity here in another post. Culture can guide and enliven us.
Block this user
Are you sure you want to block this user and hide all related comments throughout the site?
Archinect
This is your first comment on Archinect. Your comment will be visible once approved.