Eames® Soft Pad Group Executive Chair

Design Charles & Ray Eames, 1969
Aluminum, upholstery
Made by Herman Miller

“Design is a plan for arranging elements in such a way as best to accomplish a particular purpose.” -Charles Eames

An extension of the Aluminum Group chairs designed in 1958 for the Irwin Miller home, the Soft Pad Group repeats the structure of the earlier chairs, adding cushions to the seat and back. Covered in leather or fabric, these cushions transformed the spare character of the Aluminum Group into a luxurious version for homes and offices.

The seat-back suspension was a major technical achievement and represented a departure from the concept of the chair as a solid shell. The soft pad group is wonderfully comfortable, strong, yet lightweight.

With a grand sense of adventure, Charles and Ray Eames turned their curiosity and boundless enthusiasm into creations that established them as a truly great husband-and-wife design team. Their unique synergy led to a whole new look in furniture. Lean and modern. Playful and functional. Sleek, sophisticated, and beautifully simple. That was and is the “Eames look.”

Available in management, side, executive, and lounge models, their classic lines and comfortable suspension keep them in demand for all kinds of places, from contemporary homes to elegant offices to hip startups.

The executive chair features a high back with arms, a lightweight aluminum frame and 2″-thick upholstered foam cushions. It has a 5-star base with casters, tilt-swivel mechanism and seat-height adjustment (regular or pneumatic). The new pneumatic height adjustment allows for easier height adjustment, adds 2 additional inches to the top end of the height adjustment and the new tilt lock allows the seat angle to be secured in the neutral position.

manual: 23″ w | 15.5″ d | 40.25″ h max | seat: 19.25″ – 22.25″ h | arms: 27.5″ h max
pneumatic standard-height: 23″ w | 15.5″ d | 41.75″ h max | seat: 20.25″ – 22.25″ h | arms: 27.75″ h max
pneumatic extended-height: 23″ w | 15.5″ d | 44.25″ h max | seat: 20.25″ – 24.75″ h | arms: 30.25″ h max
warranty: 12 years