Michael van Beuren was born in New York and studied architecture at the Bauhaus under Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Josef Albers until its closure in 1933. He moved to Acapulco at the end of 1936, where he oversaw the design of the interiors of the bungalows at the renowned Flamingo Hotel in 1937, and quickly became a formative member of the Mexican Modernism movement.
By 1938, van Beuren began focusing on furniture design, working with a fellow Bauhaus colleague, Klaus Grabe, to create modern and affordable pieces. Inspired by the local culture and craftsmanship, the duo applied Bauhaus design principles to popular Mexican mainstays, such as woven reclining chaises and wooden dining chairs.
The approach was a success — Grabe, Morley Webb and van Beuren were named among the winners of a 1941 competition organized by the Museum of Modern Art that focused on designer teams from the United States and Latin America called “Organic Design in Home Furnishings.” This award catapulted them to wide renown.
In the following years, van Beuren founded his furniture label Domus, which became synonymous with well-crafted, modernist design that garnered fans both in Mexico and America. Along with his own designs, Domus also produced work by Clara Porset, a friend and contemporary of van Beuren’s. However, by 1951, the company’s move toward more mass manufacturing meant that van Beuren’s earlier designs were no longer being produced.
Find vintage Michael van Beuren furniture on 1stDibs.
(Biography provided by 7710 Gallery)
| Average Sold Price |
| $8,721 |
| Styles |
| Materials |
| Related Creators |
Michael van Beuren Bauhaus Teak and Raffia Lounge Chair, circa 1940
By Michael van Beuren
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Mexican Modern Michael van Beuren teak and woven raffia lounge chair. Featuring a sturdy, functional, comfortable two piece Teak framework, two pegs to hold the seat in place, ergono...
Raffia, Teak
$6,658 / item
H 31 in W 28 in D 29 in
Solid Wood Outdoor Modernist Armchair, Designed in the 20th Century
By Michael van Beuren, Luteca Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Miguelito armchair is an iconic design by the Bauhaus trained American designer Michael van Beuren, realized during his lifetime in Mexico. It is meticulously handcrafted in Irok...
Teak
Michael van Beuren San Miguelito Lounge Chair
By Michael van Beuren, Domus
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
For your consideration, these four gems, the original San Miguelito Lounge Chair, can be sold together, in pairs, or individually. Ideally, the entire set of four would be great so t...
Leather
Mid-Century Modern Petite Disc Cabinet by Michael van Beuren
By Michael van Beuren
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1970, we offer this Mid-Century Modern petite disc cabinet by Michael Van Beuren, made in mahogany plywood and brass details, includes VB original l...
Mahogany
Michael Van Beuren Three Seater Woven Sofa
By Michael van Beuren
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bauhaus trained, Mexico City based designer, Michael Van Beuren created highly functional modern pieces inspired by Mexican vernacular styles and materials. This example, c.1950s Mex...
Rattan, Pine
$4,105 / item
H 32.5 in W 30 in D 34.25 in
Modernist Mexican San Miguel Lounge Chair by Michael van Beuren from Luteca
By Michael van Beuren, Luteca Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The San Miguel lounge chair is a timeless mid-century Mexican piece inspired by the classic Latin American Butaque chair famed by the likes of 20th Century Mexican architect Luis Barragan and Industrial Designer Clara Porset. Michael van Beuren, an American born designer trained at Germany's famous Bauhuas school, produced this award winning piece in 1941 for the MoMA's Organic Design Exhibition in New York along with it's sister-design, the Alacran Chaise...
Teak
Set of Two Chairs by Michael Van Beuren
By Michael van Beuren
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1960, we offer this set of two early chairs by Michael Van Beuren made in mahogany and plywood, includes brand label. About Michael Van Beuren: Michael Van Beuren (1911–2...
Mahogany
$2,875 / set
H 28 in W 25 in D 31 in
Mid-century Slat Wood Easy Rocking Chair by Michael Van Beuren for Domus, Pair
By Domus, Michael van Beuren
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Pair of Michael van Beuren-designed "Easy" rocking chairs features a sinuous crescent-shaped form supported by an angular frame. Each chair features a wood seat attached to the frame...
Brass
| Sold Date | Sold Price | Category | Material | Creation Year | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| $8,721 |
Average sold price of items in the past 12 months |
| $1,575-$32,225 |
| Sold price range of items in the past 12 months |