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 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 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 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
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
$3,624 / 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 Piero Ranzani, Figli di Amadeo Cassina, Elam
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
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
Carl Malmsten "Berlin" Three-Seater Sofa, Sweden 1960s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Utrecht, NL
The “Berlin” three-seater sofa is “Malmstenesque” to its core. Designed in 1960, this sofa shows the designer’s predilection for traditional Swedish craftsmanship. Rejecting strict f...
Fabric, Wood
$1,991Sale Price|24% Off
H 29.14 in W 61.42 in D 32.68 in
1960s, Danish 2 seater "Banana" sofa, original condition, furniture fabric.
Located in Tarm, 82
1960s, Danish 2 seater "Banana" sofa in original very good condition: no smells and no stains. Brun/beige furniture fabric, beech wood legs, springs in the seat. Manufactured by Dani...
Fabric, Velvet, Beech
20th Century , Yellow 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
$3,737Sale Price|20% Off
H 30.71 in W 84.65 in D 31.5 in
1960s three-seater sofa by OPE Möbler, Sweden
By OPE Möbler
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
A striking 1960s three-seater sofa in rich brown leather, produced by OPE Möbler, Sweden. This elegant piece exemplifies Scandinavian modern design, where refined craftsmanship meets...
Chrome
$3,950
H 29.14 in W 58.67 in D 35.44 in
Mid-Century Modern Two-Seat "Coronado" Sofa by Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia 1960s
By Tobia Scarpa
Located in Almelo, NL
Mid-Century Modern Two-Seat "Coronado" Sofa by Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia in Teddy Upholstery, Italy, 1960s An iconic design by acclaimed Italian architect and designer Tobia Scarp...
Metal
1960s Teak Three Seater Sofa by Dyrlund of Denmark
By Dyrlund
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A stylish three seater sofa by Dyrlund of Denmark. With an elegantly designed frame the fresh ochre upholstery compliments the rich teak beautifully. A striking Scandinavian ex...
Fabric, Teak
$3,000
H 29.5 in W 58 in D 31.25 in
Mid Century Modern Two Seat Brown Leather Sofa Loveseat, Denmark circa 1960
Located in Round Top, TX
Mid-century modern vintage two seat brown leather sofa or loveseat from Denmark. This comfortable sofa combines tradition with modern lines. Upholstered in dark brown leather, loose ...
Leather, Wood
$16,650 / item
H 27.56 in W 118.12 in D 40.16 in
Contemporary Three-Seater Sofa by Hessentia Upholstered in Grey Bouclé Fabric
By HESSENTIA, Cornelio Cappellini
Located in Carate, Brianza (MB)
Gio sofa is the result of a long design process and a synergistic collaboration between the architect Luca Erba and company Cornelio Cappellini. This sofa amazes for its soft and def...
Fabric, Bouclé