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)
Michael Van Beuren Lounge Chair Bench
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
$4,000 / set
H 33.08 in W 22.84 in D 24.81 in
Mexican Miguelito Living Room Set in the style of Michael Van Beuren
By Michael van Beuren
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1970, We offer this Mexican Miguelito Living Room Set in the style of Michael Van Beuren. Made in pine wood and recently professionally restored.
Pine
$5,500 / set
H 36 in W 25 in D 31.5 in
Pair Mexican Modern Lounge Chairs, Michael Van Bueren, Domus Mexico 1960s
Located in Round Rock, TX
Pair of Mexican Woven Lounge Chairs, Attributed to Michael van Beuren for Domus A handsome pair of midcentury Mexican lounge chairs attributed to Michael van Beuren for Domus, circa...
Cord, Mahogany
Van Os Culemborg Lounge Chair
By Van Oss Culemborg
Located in Waalwijk, NL
G. Van Os for Van Os Culemborg, lounge chair, beech, fabric, The Netherlands, 1950s This elegant easy chair, designed by G. Van Os in the Netherlands, is...
Fabric, Beech
$5,500
H 30.71 in W 21.26 in D 26.78 in
Michael van Beuren San Miguelito Lounge Chair for Domus, Mexico, circa 1950
By Michael van Beuren, Domus
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
For your consideration, an original “San Miguelito” lounge chair designed by Michael van Beuren for Domus in Mexico, circa 1950s. Crafted in solid mahogany, this example has been pr...
Jute, Hardwood
Awaiting H Bench Printed Velvet and Brass
By Giorgia Zanellato, Coralla Maiuri
Located in Roma, IT
This bench is part of the awaiting collection, presented by Secondome during Milan Fuorisalone 2016. It's a series of items born from the encounter between the printed silk and cotto...
Brass
$6,790 / item
H 33 in W 24 in D 34 in
Midcentury, Line Lounge Chair by Michael van Beuren, Walnut & Velvet, by LUTECA
By Luteca Furniture, Michael van Beuren
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Line lounge chair was designed in circa 1945 by Michael van Beuren, an American who trained at Germany's prestigious Bauhaus school and then immigrated to Mexico to become one of the most successful and sought after furniture designers of the 20th century. The Line chair has a distinctly Latin American flavor with its curved legs whilst honoring the international style...
Velvet, Walnut
$784Sale Price|60% Off
H 33.08 in W 26.78 in D 25.99 in
Mid Century Lounge Chair, Walnut, Leather Bordeaux
By Michael van Beuren
Located in Mérida, Yucatan
Piece designed by Michel Van Beuren in the early 60s. It is an occasional lounge chair, reupholstered in cowhide (100% original) in burgundy color. With very clean and elegant design...
Leather, Walnut
$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 Luteca Furniture, Michael van Beuren
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
Mexican Rocking Chair Attributed to Michael van Beuren
By Michael van Beuren
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Ciraca 1950, we offer this Mexican rocking chair attributed to Michael van Beuren made in mahogany wood and recently professionally restored.
Wood
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
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
$1,137Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 28 in W 25 in D 31 in
Mid-century Slat Wood Easy Rocking Chair by Michael Van Beuren for Domus, Pair
By Michael van Beuren, Domus
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