swoop lounge chair
Design Brian Kane,
2010
During his time as an instructor at the California College of Art, industrial designer Brian Kane observed how students interacted with furniture in public spaces on campus. He noticed that very few of them sat in what might be considered a traditional way. They perched on arms. They curled up. They sprawled out. This observation inspired a versatile and fluid design response, which became the Swoop family of lounge furniture.
825W*725D*800H
600W*425D*410H
Brian Kane graduated from the University of Bridgeport, Connecticut, in 1970 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Design. He worked for several New York City design studios and spent a year in Milan, Italy, working for Architect Silvio Coppola. His projects included the design of seating and casegoods for such companies as Mobil Italia Spa. and Bernini Spa. After returning to the U.S. he worked in New York for atelier international (ai).
Herman Miller was a West Michigan businessman who helped his son-in-law, D.J. De Pree, buy the Michigan Star Furniture Company in 1923. De Pree had been working at the company, which opened in 1905, since he was hired in 1909 as a clerk. De Pree knew his father-in-law was a man of integrity, so he decided to rename the company after him. By the middle of the 20th century, the name Herman Miller had become synonymous with “modern” furniture. Working with legendary designers George Nelson and Charles and Ray Eames, the company produced pieces that would become classics of industrial design.