top of page

ARCH 101

ARCH 111

Steltman Chair

          The Steltman Chair is a well-known piece of furniture designed by Dutch architect and designer Gerrit Rietveld. Here is some information about the Steltman Chair and its designer:

  • Designer: Gerrit Rietveld (1888-1964) was a prominent Dutch architect and furniture designer. He was a key figure in the De Stijl art movement, which emphasized abstraction, simplicity, and primary colors in art and design.

  • Design Date: The Steltman Chair was designed by Gerrit Rietveld in 1963, towards the later part of his career. It is considered one of his last significant furniture designs.

  • Inspiration: The chair was created as a part of the interior design for the Steltman Jewelry Store in The Hague, Netherlands. Rietveld was tasked with designing the store's interior, and the chair was a part of that project.

  • Design Characteristics: The Steltman Chair is a unique and avant-garde piece of furniture, characterized by its abstract, angular, and asymmetric design. It features a tubular metal frame and a seat that appears to float in space, giving it a sense of lightness and modernity.

  • Materials: The chair's frame is typically made of steel, while the seat and backrest may be constructed from leather or fabric. The materials used for the Steltman Chair align with the modernist principles of functionalism and minimalism.

  • Influence: The Steltman Chair is an iconic example of modernist design, reflecting Rietveld's commitment to the principles of De Stijl and his exploration of geometric shapes, lines, and primary colors in his work.

  • Legacy: The Steltman Chair, although initially created for the Steltman Jewelry Store, has become a symbol of modern design and is considered a collector's item. It is often displayed in museums and design exhibitions.

  • Variations: There are variations of the Steltman Chair, including different color options and materials for the upholstery. These variations have been produced by different manufacturers and continue to be in demand among design enthusiasts.

  • Auction Value: Original Steltman Chairs designed by Gerrit Rietveld can command high prices at auctions and in the vintage furniture market, reflecting their significance in the world of modern design.

​

         The Steltman Chair is a testament to Gerrit Rietveld's innovative approach to furniture design and his contribution to the modernist design movement. Its distinctive and timeless design continues to be celebrated in the world of art and design.

ARCH 121

REGULATING LINES

  Charles-Édouard Jeanneret-Gris, better known as Le Corbusier, was a prominent figure in 20th-century architecture and a forerunner of modern design. He supported important modernist ideas like open layouts, functionalism, large buildings, and the use of industrial materials. In "Towards a New Architecture," Le Corbusier highlights the value of regulation and order in building design. He argues that prehistoric humans used architecture to solve their requirements in their temples and shelters. He emphasizes that the regulatory line is a choice rather than a mandate, highlighting it as a crucial architectural component that acts as a safeguard against intentionality and as a means to a goal.
  The application of "regulatory lines" based on measurements of the human body is a key idea in Le Corbusier's methodology. The foundation of architectural designs are these lines, which are the result of geometric considerations and mathematical calculations. Le Corbusier measures human body parts such as the foot, elbow, or finger, insisting that the human scale is fundamental to architectural design. According to his viewpoint, architectural layouts need to be in harmony with human anatomy in order to guarantee not just visual appeal but also practicality and a user-centered experience.
  According to Le Corbusier, architecture is the first manifestation of how humans have created their own cosmos by both reflecting and submitting to nature. He uses the example of prehistoric humans who cut wood roughly at first and then, in order to be more efficient, adopted measurements and regulating lines, giving their job rhythm and order. The production of visually beautiful and expertly constructed architectural works depends heavily on this sense of order. All things considered, Le Corbusier's concepts emphasize how closely related human experience, architecture, and the quest of environmental harmony are.

bottom of page