EA216 Swivel Lounge Armchair

At launch, the Soft Pad Group comprised 12 distinct models, ranging from side and desk chairs with high and low backs, to lounge chairs—including this swiveling armchair. From the earliest days of the plywood chairs, the Eameses designed their furniture in systems that would offer benefits to both the producer, as well as the customer. Through a shared set of production techniques and interchangeable structural elements, the systems approach eased some of the burdens of manufacture. Molds, machines, and materials could be shared across lines and between models—offering increased productivity and profitability. Ideally, some of these cost savings could ultimately be passed on to the customer, who would also benefit from the variety of available options, and be able to select the particular model that best suited their needs and their environment. In case of damage, individual parts could easily be replaced and repaired. At launch, each of the Soft Pad chairs was available with or without arms, with fixed or swiveling bases, and in the case of desk chairs, on glides or on casters. Any color of “best aucht” leather could be specified for the pads, while in the earliest models the back of the chair was always upholstered in a nylon synthetic called Nilo.