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, Davis Allen, Gordon Bunshaft
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
$3,597 / 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, Elam, Figli di Amadeo Cassina
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 Arne Vodder 3-Seat Sofa for France & Søn, Denmark
By Arne Vodder, France & Søn
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
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
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
Danish Modern, Oak Three-Seater Sofa, Henning Kjærnulf, 1960s
By Henning Kjærnulf
Located in Rødding, DK
A commanding solid oak three-seater sofa in the Danish Brutalist tradition. By Henning Kjærnulf and produced in Denmark during the 1960s — presenting an exceptional combination of sc...
Fabric, Oak
$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
Juul Kristensen three seat sofa teak, Denmark 1960s
By Juul Kristensen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Juul Kristensen three seat sofa in teak. Cushions upholstered with grey wool fabric. Made by Juul Kristensen in the 1960s.
Wool, Teak
Danish Mid-Century Modern Two-Seat Teak Sofa, 1960s
Located in Helsinki, FI
Elegant Scandinavian Modern two-seat sofa dating from the 1960s. The sofa features a refined teak frame with slender tapered legs and a gently curved front stretcher, exemplifying th...
Teak
$4,480Sale Price|20% Off
H 24 in W 54 in D 32 in L 24 in
Stylish 2 Seater Confidential Sofa Loveseat Alberto Rosselli for Saporiti
By Alberto Rosselli Saporiti
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Stylish 2 seater 'Confidential sofa' designed by Alberto Rosselli for Saporiti Italia, circa 1970. Luxury comfort 2 seater with tan wool upholstery. The upholstery is worn and dated...
Upholstery
$1,913
H 28.15 in W 75.2 in D 31.89 in
Stouby Three-Seater Sofa in Brown Leather, Danish Design, 1960s
By Stouby Polster Møbelfabrik
Located in Lejre, DK
Three-seater sofa manufactured by Stouby in the 1960s. The sofa is upholstered in brown leather and represents Danish furniture design from the period. — Manufacturer: Stouby — Peri...
Leather
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