In its striking curtain wall of glass and modernist steel columns, Gordon Bunshaft’s International-style design for the Lever House — cocreated with Natalie de Blois — garnered widespread acclaim. The Pritzker Prize-winner was a legendary American architect, and his influence can be found today in city skylines all over the world.
Bunshaft studied at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology before undertaking fellowships in Europe and North Africa. In 1937, he joined New York City architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill where he worked until his retirement in 1979.
Bunshaft shared the same interest in modernist furniture as Florence Knoll, an architect and furniture designer who had a subtle but profound influence on the course of mid-century American modernism and who helped make Knoll Inc. a leading firm in its field. Bunshaft recommended that Knoll be placed in charge of interiors when, while at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, he designed the Connecticut General Life Insurance Company’s headquarters in the mid-1950s.
Bunshaft’s projects drew heavily on the pioneering architectural work of Le Corbusier as well as Mies van der Rohe, an iconic furniture designer and fellow proponent of modernist architecture.
Celebrated architectural marvels created by Bunshaft include the Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library for Yale University and the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Research Building for the University of Texas. Completed in 1974, Bunshaft designed the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, part of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., and finished the National Commercial Bank in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in 1983. The National Commercial Bank was his last project.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Gordon Bunshaft case pieces and other furniture.
1960 Set of 8 Gordon Bunshaft and Davis Allen Dining Chairs with Stainless Legs
By Davis Allen, Gordon Bunshaft
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a set of eight bespoke cafeteria chairs, designed in the 1960s by Gordon Bunshaft and Davis Allen of SOM (Skidmore, Owings and Merrill Architects). The chairs have boxy, hand...
Steel
1960s Gordon Bunshaft and Davis Allen of SOM Three Seat Sofa in White Fabric
By Gordon Bunshaft, Davis Allen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a three-seat sofa designed by Gordon Bunshaft and Davis Allen of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM). Skidmore, Owings & Merrill is a hugely important architectural firm...
Steel
1960s Gordon Bunshaft and Davis Allen for SOM Ottoman / Bench 30x42x17
By Gordon Bunshaft, Davis Allen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an ottoman, originally designed by Gordon Bunshaft and Davis Allen for Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM). This particular example was produced in the 1960s. Skidmore, Owin...
Steel
1960s Gordon Bunshaft and Davis Allen of SOM Stainless Steel and Leather Bench
By Davis Allen, Gordon Bunshaft
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a rare stainless steel and leather bench designed in the 1960s by Gordon Bunshaft and Davis Allen of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM). The design features a stainless ste...
Steel
1960s Gordon Bunshaft and Davis Allen for Thonet Tuxedo Two Seat Loveseat Sofa
By Thonet, Gordon Bunshaft, Davis Allen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an armless two-seater tuxedo settee / sofa, designed by Davis Allen and Gordon Bunshaft of SOM Architects. This example appears to be a Thonet production, one of the manufact...
Steel
1960s Davis Allen and Gordon Bunshaft of SOM Club Lounge Chair in Stainless
By Gordon Bunshaft, Davis Allen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Tuxedo Club Chair, designed by Davis Allen under the leadership of Gordon Bunshaft within SOM. The detailing is typical of Davis Allen's w...
Steel
1960s Organic Bench
Located in New York, NY
1960s organic bench. Solid walnut bench with dovetails. Can also be used as a coffee table.
Walnut
$1,102Sale Price|20% Off
H 14.57 in Dm 16.15 in
Franco Albini Midcentury Rattan and Bamboo Round Ottoman Stool, Italy 1960s
By Franco Albini
Located in Roma, IT
Gorgeous mid-century round bamboo & wicker stool. Franco Albini designed this piece in Italy during the 1960s. The pouf features a beautiful combination of curved bamboo, rattan a...
Bamboo, Rattan, Wicker
$3,559 / set
H 29.53 in W 65.36 in D 32.29 in
Crimson Alcantara Two-Seater Sofas by Piero Ranzani for Elam, 1960s, Set of 2
By Elam, Figli di Amadeo Cassina, Piero Ranzani
Located in Varese, Lombardia
This pair of 2-seat sofa was designed and produced in Italy at the end of the 1960s. They have been originally upholstered with Alcantara synthetic fabric in a precious crimson color...
Fabric, Foam, Wood
$624Sale Price|20% Off
H 31.5 in W 90.56 in D 35.44 in
20th Century , Brown Atlantis Three seats Sofa, 1960s
Located in Praha, CZ
Atlantis sofa from the 1960s, produced in Czech Republic - at the moment they are unique. Due to their dimensions, they perfectly blend in even in small...
Fabric
$3,306Sale Price|20% Off
H 30.71 in W 74.81 in D 28.75 in
1960s Arne Vodder 3-Seat Sofa for France & Søn, Denmark
By France & Søn, Arne Vodder
Located in Praha, CZ
- Newly re-upholstered original springs pillows - The wooden parts have been refurbished.
Fabric, Wood
$1,497
H 33.86 in W 29.14 in D 30.71 in
Midcentury brutalist embassy lounge or easy low club chair, 1960s
Located in Zaandam, NL
Lovely proportioned club or lounge chair in wood with reupholstered leather. According to the seller it originated form the Czech Republic and was supposedly designed for an embassy ...
Leather, Wood
Modern Ikat Woven Fabric Upholstered Three-Seat Sofa
Located in Astoria, NY
Modern Ikat Fabric Upholstered Three-Seat Sofa. 30" H x 77" W x 39" D; seat: 18" H. Provenance: An Upper East Side Townhouse.
Upholstery
Set of 6 Sabre Leg Dining Chairs by Robsjohn-Gibbings
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Rare and Iconic set of 6 Mid Century Sabre Leg Dining Chairs by T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb. There are 2 arm chairs and 4 side chairs. These chairs are authentic, classic ...
Walnut
Brutalist Lounge Chair in Solid Oak and Velvet 1960s
Located in Meer, VAN
Brutalist Lounge Chair in Solid Oak and Velvet 1960s An astonishing lounge chair from the late 1960s in solid oak with magnificent floral velvet upholstery. Please note: we do have ...
Velvet, Oak
1960s Danish Three-Seat Sofa in Cognac Leather and Wood
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Three-seat sofa, leather, wood, Denmark, ca. 1960. This modest and comfortable three-seat sofa exhibits characteristics reminiscent of Borge Mogensen's design. The vibrant aestheti...
Leather, Wood
$5,683 / set
H 35.44 in W 34.26 in D 37.01 in
Brutalist Lounge Chair and Ottoman in Solid Oak and Velvet 1960s
Located in Meer, VAN
Brutalist Lounge Chair and Ottoman in Solid Oak and Velvet 1960s An astonishing lounge chair from the late 1960s in solid oak with magnificent floral velvet upholstery. Please note:...
Velvet, Oak
Panache for Michael Taylor Cut Velvet Upholstered Bench Ottoman
By Michael Taylor
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Panache for Michael Taylor Cut Velvet Upholstered Bench Ottoman
Wood