POWERHOUSE COLLECTION

Notes

Designed by George Nelson [1908-1986] in 1958 and made by Herman Miller 1958-1964. The 'DAF' chair was put back into production in 2006. The DAF chair is one the 'Swaged Leg Group', which included a range of chairs, tables and desks. Nelson started with the idea: "Wouldn't it be beautiful to have some kind of sculptured leg on a piece of furniture?" How could that be done without wood and hand-carving tools? Using pressure to taper and curve a metal tube (a process called swaging) proved a success. In order to reduce production costs, all four legs of a chair or table were shaped in the same way. Separate pieces of moulded plastic were used for the seat and back and glued together, so that the swag leg chair could flex with the sitter. A slit between the seat and back helped prevent heat buildup and wide, flat arms provide a comfortable place to rest forearms. George Nelson was one of the most influential figures in American design during the second half of the twentieth century. Nelson was not only a leading designer and notable architect, but also a prominent author, editor, lecturer, exhibition designer, and a passionate photographer. Nelson and his studio created many classics of modern furniture and interior design including the Coconut Chair (1955), the Marshmallow Sofa (1956), the Ball Clock (1947), Bubble Lamps (starting in 1952) and Action Office (1964). As an architect, designer and writer, Nelson was deeply interested in the topics of domestic living and interior furnishings. He was a pioneering planner and designer of the modern single family home during the 1940s and '50s. As design director of Herman Miller, Nelson had a major influence on the product line and public image of the company for over two decades and collaborated with many of the iconic designers of the era from Charles and Ray Eames to Alexander Girard.