Who was Eero Saarinen? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Died At Age: 51

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Aline B. Saarinen, Lilian Swann Saarinen

father: Eliel Saarinen

mother: Louise Gesellius

children: Eames Saarinen, Eric Saarinen, Susan Saarinen

Born Country: Finland

Finnish Men Male Architects

Died on: September 1, 1961

place of death: Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States

Cause of Death: Brain Tumor

Notable Alumni: Académie De La Grande Chaumière, Yale School Of Architecture

Founder/Co-Founder: Eero Saarinen and Associates

More Facts

education: Académie de la Grande Chaumière, Yale School of Architecture

awards: AIA Gold Medal

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1

What are some famous buildings designed by Eero Saarinen?

Some famous buildings designed by Eero Saarinen are the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, the TWA Flight Center at JFK Airport, and the Miller House in Columbus.
2

What influenced Eero Saarinen's architectural style?

Eero Saarinen's architectural style was influenced by a combination of modernism, organic architecture, and his father Eliel Saarinen's teachings.
3

What is the significance of Eero Saarinen's Tulip Chair?

Eero Saarinen's Tulip Chair is significant for its innovative design, which features a single pedestal leg and a molded fiberglass shell, challenging traditional furniture design.
4

How did Eero Saarinen's design philosophy differ from other architects of his time?

Eero Saarinen's design philosophy focused on creating buildings that were both functional and aesthetically pleasing, often incorporating sculptural forms and innovative structural techniques.

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Childhood & Early Life

Eero Saarinen was born on August 20, 1910, in Kirkkonummi, Grand Duchy of Finland, to Eliel and Louise Saarinen.

In 1923, he alongside his family immigrated to USA where he grew up in Michigan. There, he took courses in furniture design and sculpture. While studying, Saarinen came into association with future architects Ray and Charles Eames and Florence Knoll.

Saarinen enrolled at the Académie de la Grande Chaumière in France in 1929. He then went to the Yale School of Architecture and completed his studies in 1934.

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Career as an Architect

Eero Saarinen began his career with his father’s company, Saarinen, Swansen and Associates. The firm was located in Michigan until it moved to Connecticut in 1961.

He first gained recognition when he alongside Charles Eames designed The Tulip chair for the Organic Design in Home Furnishings competition held in 1940. Their design brought them the first prize. That year, Saarinen also earned international acclaim for his design for the Crow Island School in Illinois.

Between 1938 and 1940, he alongside his father designed the Kleinhans Music Hall. Located in New York, this concert venue is much popular for its beautiful architecture.

Eero Saarinen’s popularity’s rose further when he got the first prize for designing the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial (now the Gateway Arch National Park) in 1948.

During the 1940s, he became associated with the Knoll furniture company and designed many pieces of furniture for them, including the Womb chair and ottoman, the Grasshopper lounge chair and ottoman, the Womb settee, and his most famous Tulip chair.

One of his major works alongside his father was the designing of Michigan’s General Motors Technical Center which was constructed in 1956. The success of this project brought Saarinen invitations from several American corporations, including IBM.

In the 1950s, the architect got offers from many American universities, including the University of Chicago Law School, the University of Pennsylvania, MIT, and Yale University.

Also in 1950, after his father’s death, Saarinen started his agency called Eero Saarinen and Associates. With the company, he contributed to several notable works, including Gateway Arch National Park in Missouri, the Bell Labs Holmdel Complex in New Jersey, and the Miller House in Indiana.

In 1955, he designed Kresge Auditorium, a thin-shell concrete structure in MIT.

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His other works with his father include the Embassy of the United States in Oslo and the Embassy of the United States in London.

Saarinen also collaborated with his sister and mother to design parts of the famous Cranbrook campus in Michigan, including Kingswood School, the Cranbrook School, the Cranbrook Science Institute, and the Cranbrook Art Academy.

Major Works

Saarinen’s most famous work under Eero Saarinen and Associates was John F. Kennedy International Airport’s TWA Flight Center. The terminal was converted into the TWA Hotel in 2019. He also designed Washington Dulles International Airport’s main terminal.

Between 1950 and 1952, Saarinen designed some residential structures on Brandeis University’s campus, such as Shapiro Dormitory at Hamilton Quadrangle, Ridgewood Quadrangle, and Sherman Student Center.

Family & Personal Life

In 1940, Saarinen became a naturalized citizen of America.

He married his first wife, sculptor Lilian Swann, in 1939. They had two kids, Susan and Eric. The couple divorced in 1954.

The architect then married art critic Aline Bernstein Louchheim later in 1954. They had a son who was named Eames after Saarinen's friend and collaborator Charles Eames.

Death & Legacy

Saarinen died in September 1961 while undergoing a brain surgery. He was 51.

Now regarded as one of the masters of 20th-century architecture in America, he has inspired many designers and architects of future generations.

Many of his papers were donated to the ‘Archives of American Art’ in 1973. An exhibition of his work called ‘Eero Saarinen: Shaping the Future’ was held by New York’s Finnish Cultural Institute. It toured the United States and Europe from 2006 to 2010.

Facts About Eero Saarinen

Eero Saarinen was known for his unique sense of style, often wearing tailored suits and ties even while working in his studio.

Saarinen had a passion for flying and was an accomplished pilot, often incorporating elements of aviation design into his architectural work.

He was a talented furniture designer in addition to his architectural work, creating iconic pieces such as the Tulip Chair and Womb Chair.

Saarinen was known for his love of nature and often sought to incorporate natural elements into his designs, creating harmonious spaces that connected people with the outdoors.

Eero Saarinen Biography

You wanted to know

What are some famous buildings designed by Eero Saarinen?

What influenced Eero Saarinen's architectural style?

What is the significance of Eero Saarinen's Tulip Chair?

How did Eero Saarinen's design philosophy differ from other architects of his time?