Steelcase, a global leader in workplace design, has partnered with the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation to launch the Frank Lloyd Wright Rockford and Galesburg Collections. These collections expand the existing collaboration between the two organizations by reintroducing iconic pieces from Wright’s midcentury, Usonian designs and reinterpreting them into modern furniture suited for both home and workplace environments.
The Rockford Collection draws inspiration from the Laurent house, a 1952 home designed by Wright for Kenneth Laurent, a veteran, and his wife Phyllis in Rockford, Illinois. This collection reintroduces a rail-backed lounge chair alongside reinterpreted companion pieces, including polygonal plywood tables and movable seating. The design of these pieces reflects Wright’s “organic architecture” philosophy, utilizing materials such as wood, glass, concrete, and plywood to create accessible and functional designs. The furniture is designed to be accessible from any angle, tailored specifically to meet Kenneth Laurent’s needs as a wheelchair user, demonstrating Wright’s early consideration of accessibility.
The Galesburg Collection is inspired by built-in banquettes from Usonian homes in Wright-designed Parkwyn Village and The Acres communities in Galesburg, Michigan. The collection includes a sofa, sectional, and lounge chair, drawing on Wright’s earlier drawings of a tuxedo-style sofa. These pieces feature Wright’s signature three-dimensional shapes and linear detailing, aiming to provide a luxuriously tailored feel. The collection reflects Wright’s efforts to expand his designs beyond custom furnishings, making high-quality design accessible to a broader audience.
Steelcase’s collaboration with the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation dates back 80 years, beginning with the production of furniture for Wright’s design of the SC Johnson Administration Building in Racine, Wisconsin. Earlier in 2023, Steelcase and the Foundation unveiled the Frank Lloyd Wright Racine Collection, reintroducing the desk and chair designed by Wright for SC Johnson and launching modern versions for a variety of spaces.
The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation was recently named Fast Company’s 2024 Design Company of the Year, an honor that recognizes the Racine Collection and the new collection of textiles, wallcoverings, and custom materials from Steelcase brand Designtex.