Eero Saarinen

Eero Saarinen was born on August 20, 1910, in Kirkkonummi, Finland, the son of celebrated architect Eliel Saarinen and textile artist Loja Saarinen. Emigrating to the United States in 1923, he studied sculpture in Paris and architecture at Yale before collaborating with Charles Eames at Cranbrook Academy of Art.

Saarinen broke free from the rigid rectangular boxes of the International Style, creating dynamic, expressive concrete shell structures that evoked flight and aspiration. His iconic works include the 630-foot stainless steel Gateway Arch in St. Louis, the sweeping bird-in-flight TWA Flight Center at JFK Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport, and classic mid-century furniture designs such as the Womb Chair and pedestal Tulip Table and Chairs.