The SE 68 chair, a functional tubular steel design, remains one of the most recognizable legacies of Egon Eiermann, who transitioned from industrial architecture to international prominence during the postwar era. As a central figure in German modernism, he prioritized transparency and structural clarity, reshaping the postwar aesthetic of a divided nation through both his buildings and furniture.
Early Career and Education
Born in 1904 in Neuendorf bei Potsdam, Eiermann studied at the Technische Universität Berlin. His formative years included a mentorship under Hans Poelzig between 1925 and 1928. After graduating, he developed professional skills working for Karstadt AG and the Berlin electricity works. Before World War II, he maintained an independent practice in Berlin, often collaborating with architect Fritz Jaenecke on residential projects, though his output during the Nazi era shifted largely toward industrial facilities.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Postwar Pedagogy and Practice
Following his move to Buchen in 1945, Eiermann relocated his practice to Karlsruhe in 1948. He joined the faculty at the Technische Hochschule Karlsruhe in 1947, where he focused on steel frame construction methods. His tenure as a university teacher influenced students such as Oswald Mathias Ungers and Julia Bolles-Wilson. His professional work during this period, often in partnership with Robert Hilgers, emphasized transparent, democratic design principles intended to make structural order visible.
Architectural Landmarks
Eiermann’s portfolio includes notable structures such as the 1951 textile mill at Blumberg and the West German pavilion at the 1958 Brussels World’s Fair, a collaboration with Sep Ruf. His major commissions involved high-profile state and corporate projects, including the German Embassy in Washington, D.C., the Langer Eugen high-rise for the Bundestag in Bonn, and the IBM-Germany headquarters in Stuttgart. His most widely recognized work is the new Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in Berlin, completed in 1963.
Furniture Design
Beyond architecture, Eiermann was a significant industrial designer. Starting in 1949, he collaborated with the Esslingen-based firm Wilde + Spieth to produce seating and table frames. His design work included the SE 68 chair and the E 10 wicker chair, as well as the functional Eiermann 1 and Eiermann 2 table frames. These items were characterized by serial production and a focus on tubular steel.
Fast facts
- Born: 1904, Neuendorf bei Potsdam
- Died: 1970, Baden-Baden
- Education: Technische Universität Berlin
- Notable Work: Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, Berlin
- Key Furniture: SE 68 chair
- Teaching Post: Technische Hochschule Karlsruhe
- Major Award: Pour le Mérite for Sciences and Arts
- Burial Site: Friedhof Buchen
Questions readers ask
What is Egon Eiermann's most famous building?
His most recognized project is the new church integrated into the site of the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in Berlin, built between 1959 and 1963.
Did Eiermann design furniture?
Yes, he designed functional pieces, most notably the SE 68 tubular steel chair and the widely used Eiermann 1 and 2 table frames.
Achievements
- Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
- Pour le Mérite for Sciences and Arts order
- Honorary doctor of the Technical University of Berlin
- Trained at Technische Universität Berlin
