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.
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
Karl Springer Stainless Steel and Leather Bench, 1980
By Karl Springer
Located in Chicago, IL
Karl Springer Stainless Steel and Leather Bench, 1980’s. Newly upholstered in green leather. Measures 20” tall 48” long 20” deep
Stainless 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
1960s Tufted and Cane Bench
Located in New York, NY
1960s Walnut and Cane Tufted Bench.
Cane, Wood
1960s Whimsical Bench
Located in Tarrytown, NY
1960s Whimsical wood bench, Vinyl seats. Nicks in finish, needs reupholstering.
Wood
Custom Stainless Steel Vanity Stool or Bench
Located in Sheffield, MA
The custom stainless steel stool can be made in the size you need. Can be a bench or stool. This stool has a cushion covered in Perennial fabric. We can cover it in your favorite fab...
Stainless Steel
Neoclassical steel brass curule bench by Maison Jansen 1960s
By Maison Jansen
Located in Paris, IDF
Beautiful 1960’s Curule Savonarola bench made of heavy stainless steel metal with brass accents. This timeless bench was created by French interior design firm Maison Jansen in the e...
Steel
Heavy Stainless Steel Bench by Decca
By Decca
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A heavy (solid stainless steel) bench by Decca. Weighing about 80 lbs, super constructed bench with polished steel base and faux shagreen top. Note visible steel edge under seat. Cus...
Pair of Modern Chrome Stainless Steel Benches
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Gorgeous and substantial pair of mirrored stainless steel benches, with floating frames, one with an attached seamless, white laminate table. Sofas are incredibly well made, easily w...
Stainless Steel
Nicos Zographos Stainless Steel Bench
By Nicos Zographos
Located in San Francisco, CA
Nicos Zographos design stainless steel and leather upholstered bench. Classic modern design lines made with a high quality solid stainless steel frame in very good restored conditio...
Stainless Steel
Smoke Leather and Blackened Steel Bench
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Inheritance Bench is a versatile piece that can be used as a chaise extension on any sofa, as an independent seating option or as a large upholstered coffee table...
Steel
$5,912 / item
H 14.5 in W 53 in D 11 in
Bond Bench, Made of Polished and Brushed Stainless Steel, Handcrafted in Chicago
By Christopher Gentner
Located in Chicago, IL
A subtle mix of polished and brushed stainless steel, this bench is about attention to detail. The simple T-shape structure is simplicity at its best with the...
Stainless Steel
Blue Smoke Leather and Blackened Steel Bench
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Inheritance Bench is a versatile piece that can be used as a chaise extension on any sofa, as an independent seating option or as a large upholstered coffee table...
Steel