Outdoor Seating Comes In

An Industrialist Who Loved Modern Design

J. Irwin Miller was born in the small town of Columbus, Indiana, in 1909. A civic-minded man, he made a fortune as an industrialist. In 1954 he set up the Cummins Foundation and offered his home town a deal: The foundation would pay the architect fees for new public buildings in Columbus. The Foundation would choose the architects. As a result, this town of about 40,000 has buildings by the giants of mid-century modern design—Eero and Eliel Saarinen, I.M. Pei, Cesar Pelli, Kevin Roche, and Richard Meier, among others. In 1991, the American Institute of Architects declared the small town the sixth most important in the country in terms of architecture.

Outdoor Seating Moves Indoors

We began making the Aluminum Group chairs for indoor use in 1958, and they have been in continuous production ever since. The original mesh was discontinued shortly after its introduction in favor of fabric and leather, ribbed at 1 7/8-inch intervals for a clean, refined appearance.

In 1969, the Eameses extended the original design by adding plush, individually upholstered cushions. They named these the Soft Pad chairs.

The chairs' simple lines, innovative use of materials, and suspension comfort have kept the Aluminum Group and Soft Pad chairs among the most popular seating choices for offices and homes.

Archival photos courtesy of Eames Office LLC

General Dimensions

• H:33"
• W:23"
• D:18"

Care & Maintenance

With regular care and maintenance, your Herman Miller product will provide many years of superior performance and satisfaction. To maintain quality, please follow the cleaning procedures outlined here.

The instructions for the care and maintenance of Herman Miller products are provided to you as a service. No warranty is implied since results may vary.

Polished Aluminum

For normal cleaning, apply a pre-softened paste wax to polished aluminum components following the manufacturer's instructions. In humid atmospheres near salt water, apply the wax once a month. In other areas, apply wax every three months to maintain the appearance of the aluminum.

Fabric

For normal cleaning, vacuum upholstery fabric using an upholstery attachment. If further cleaning is needed, dry-clean or spot clean fabric with solvent cleaner.

Do not brush fabric or use a vacuum attachment with a rotary brush. Brushing may permanently damage the nap or change the character of the fabric.

Do not apply water or any liquid solution. Wetting the fabric with any liquid solution may result in permanent damage.

Vinyl Upholstery

For normal cleaning, wash vinyl upholstery with a soft cloth or soft-bristled brush lathered with mild, nonabrasive soap and lukewarm water. Before the surface dries, wipe with a clean, dry cloth to remove any residue. This procedure may be repeated to remove stubborn dirt or stains.

Ink spots can sometimes be removed by washing with soap and water followed by isopropyl alcohol.

Do not use any cleaning method that is not listed above, as other methods may attack the vinyl and cause eventual degradation.

Leather

For normal cleaning, vacuum or dust frequently with a clean, dry cloth. If leather is soiled, it can be wiped with a damp soft cloth and a lather of any mild soap and a minimum amount of lukewarm water. Do not spot clean leather; clean the entire surface. Wipe clean with a damp cloth and dry with a clean, soft cloth.

For spots and spills, wipe excess liquid immediately with a clean cloth or sponge; let the leather air dry. If the spot is still visible, further cleaning may be necessary. Sponge the entire surface—seat, back, or chair arm—with clean, lukewarm water. Let the leather air dry; never use a hair dryer or other heat source to dry leather.

For stubborn spots and stains, apply a mild, nonabrasive soap solution with a clean, wet sponge. Rinse well and let air dry. For butter, oil, or grease, wipe the leather with a clean, dry cloth and let the remainder of the oil dissipate into the leather. Do not apply water or try to wash a grease spot.

Do not use saddle soap, cleaning solvents, oils, furniture polishes, varnishes, abrasive cleaners, detergents, or ammonia on leather; they will ruin the finish, causing it to become sticky and cracked.