Header: Courtesy of Herman Miller
Herman Miller, in partnership with the Eames Office, is bringing back a classic design from 1970. The Eames Molded Plastic Dining Chair, originally known as EC-127, is once again available. This new version comes with a variety of color and fabric choices and a more sustainable construction. Made with 99 percent post-industrial recycled plastic, the chair is a durable and spirited option for many spaces. For the first time, it is also offered without any upholstery, making it a great choice for high-use environments like offices, libraries, dining rooms, and restaurants.
A history of improvement
The story of this chair is rooted in the Eameses’ practice of revisiting and improving their own designs. The EC-127 was itself an evolution of earlier work. It started as a more durable, upholstered version of their DCM-L library chair. To achieve this, Charles and Ray Eames moved from plywood to reinforced plastic. This material change allowed them to introduce a new shock-absorbing mount made of rubber and metal. This mount was stronger and simpler to manufacture without changing the chair’s overall shape, an innovation that would be used in Eames plastic chairs for years. Today’s Eames Molded Plastic Dining Chair carries that history forward with an improved plastic frame built to withstand daily life, while its curved seat and back give the right amount of support for activities like eating, reading, or just talking.
A palette of playful colors and finishes
The available colors for the chair are inspired by a prototype of “The Toy,” an architectural construction set for children that Charles and Ray Eames designed with colorful panels. These colors are also available on the classic Eames Shell Chair. The chair’s legs can be customized in several ways. You can choose classic chrome or powder-coated finishes in saturated primary colors, including blaze, marigold, and berry blue. Simple black or white leg options are also available. For an extra layer of comfort and texture, the chair can be upholstered with fabrics by Maharam. This includes Alexander Girard’s Hopsak, which was an upholstery option on the chair when it was first sold in the 1970s.
Modern commitment to materials
In line with Herman Miller’s current sustainability goals, the Eames Molded Plastic Dining Chair is made from 99 percent post-industrial recycled plastic. This material choice reflects the Eameses’ famous desire to make “the best for the most for the least,” always improving on their designs as new materials and manufacturing processes became available. Using innovative, environmentally forward materials is one way Herman Miller and the Eames Office are continuing this legacy.
“In addition to being comfortable and elegant, the EC-127 is a perfect exemplar of the Eameses belief in constant improvement of their own designs. As pioneers of the use of plastic for affordable and durable furniture, they applied that knowledge to eliminate the need for separate shock mounts. Their understanding of the qualities of plastic allowed the Eameses to merge those shock mounts with the seat and back while making the chair itself more lightweight – it also made possible greater color variety.”
Eames Demetrios, Director of the Eames Office and grandson of Charles and Ray Eames
The Eames Molded Plastic Dining Chair can be purchased from Herman Miller in stores and online, and through MillerKnoll dealers for contract customers. Check the Herman Miller website for your region for local availability.
