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.
1960 Set of 8 Gordon Bunshaft and Davis Allen Dining Chairs with Stainless Legs
By Gordon Bunshaft, Davis Allen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a set of eight bespoke cafeteria chairs, designed in the 1960s by Gordon Bunshaft and Davis Allen of SOM (Skidmore, Owings and Merrill Architects). The chairs have boxy, hand...
Steel
C. 1969 Davis Allen and Gordon Bunshaft of SOM Bench 20 x 48
By Gordon Bunshaft
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Custom Rectangular Upholstered Steel Bench, designed by Davis Allen and Gordon Bunshaft under SOM. SOM, as it is known, refers to the architectural firm Skidmore, Owings &a...
Steel
1960s Gordon Bunshaft and Davis Allen for SOM Ottoman / Bench 30x42x17
By Gordon Bunshaft, Davis Allen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an ottoman, originally designed by Gordon Bunshaft and Davis Allen for Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM). This particular example was produced in the 1960s. Skidmore, Owin...
Steel
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 of SOM Stainless Steel and Leather Bench
By Gordon Bunshaft, Davis Allen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a rare stainless steel and leather bench designed in the 1960s by Gordon Bunshaft and Davis Allen of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM). The design features a stainless ste...
Steel
1960s Gordon Bunshaft and Davis Allen for Thonet Tuxedo Two Seat Loveseat Sofa
By Gordon Bunshaft, Thonet, Davis Allen
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
1960s Davis Allen and Gordon Bunshaft of SOM Club Lounge Chair in Stainless
By Gordon Bunshaft, Davis Allen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Tuxedo Club Chair, designed by Davis Allen under the leadership of Gordon Bunshaft within SOM. The detailing is typical of Davis Allen's w...
Steel
1960s Organic Bench
Located in New York, NY
1960s organic bench. Solid walnut bench with dovetails. Can also be used as a coffee table.
Walnut
$3,541 / 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 Elam, Piero Ranzani, 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
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
$20,448 / set
H 35.44 in W 38.19 in D 38.19 in
Set of Two beige Eero Saarinen Womb Chair and Ottoman for Knoll, USA, 1960s
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Berlin, DE
Set of two Early Eero Saarinen womb chairs and ottoman for Knoll, USA - 1960s. Newly upholstered in a Knoll fabric. The measurements giv...
Metal
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
$4,092 / set
H 34.26 in W 18.9 in D 17.72 in
Antique Victorian Set of 6 Mahogany Dining Chairs with Tulip Legs
Located in Suffolk, GB
A handsome set of Victorian mahogany dining chairs, displaying elegant mid-19th-century design and excellent proportions. The chairs feature shaped backs with gently curved rails, up...
Mahogany
Vintage 1960s Danish Rosewood & Mohair Velvet Ottomans
Located in London, England
Spottrup Mobler - Upholstered Stools, c1960 A pair of classic stools produced by Spottrup Mobler in The frames are made from exquisite rosewood that has been refinished by our team ...
Rosewood
$896Sale Price|25% Off
H 24 in W 31 in D 13 in
Late 20th Century Modern Italian Iron and Upholstered Bench
Located in Germantown, MD
Late 20th Century Modern Italian Iron and Upholstered Bench in good vintage condition. Measures 31" in width, 13" in depth and 24" in height. Seat height is 19".
Iron
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
$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
$5,445 / item
H 17.32 in W 59.06 in D 17.17 in
Bicroma Bench in Stainless Steel by Parisotto and Formenton
By Parisotto + Formenton 1
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bicroma bench, finds its inspiration in Industrial aesthetics. Designed by Parisotto and Formenton, it is suitable for Classic or contemporary contexts. Its solid structure is comp...
Stainless Steel
$12,000 / set
H 31.11 in W 24.02 in D 22.45 in
Lounge-Proportioned Dining Chairs in Velvet with Oak Legs, Set of 4
Located in New York, NY
Designed with lounge-inspired proportions, this hand-tailored dining chair brings softness and sculptural presence to contemporary interiors. Its curvilinear silhouette and generous ...
Oak, Fabric
Convex Bench Series 48 in Natural Walnut
By Stamford Modern
Located in Westport, CT
The Convex Bench by Carlos Solano is a sculptural homage to mid-century modern design, where gentle curvature and thoughtful proportion meet timeless craftsmanship. Handcrafted from ...
Oak, Walnut
Pair Of Brass And Wrought Iron Benches
Located in Essex, MA
Possibly Jansen. With brass duck head hand terminals and strap iron seats and arched classical style legs. Newly painted black and brass polished.
Brass, Wrought Iron
$6,842 / set
H 25.99 in W 35.44 in D 32.29 in
Mushroom Armchair and Ottoman by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1960s
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Stunning Mushroom set, designed by Pierre Paulin and fabricated by Artifort in the 60s. This very comfortable and cosy set is just covered with beautiful and the highest quality ...
Fabric