Eero Saarinen’s Design for General Motors

Detroit is going through some difficult times right now. But one thing we’ve always had going for us is a great sense of design and a fearlessness when it comes to the avant garde. Even if the corporate culture got the best of the auto companies for a while, there were always talented designers fighting to keep the dream alive.

For any of you who think of Detroit as backward, take a look at this office designed in 1956. How forward looking could a company be?

The office, with its streamline design, cherry wood , and aluminum accents, was designed by Eero Saarinen specifically for Harley Earl, then General Motors’ head of global design. The tradition has been passed down to every design chief. The current occupant is Ed Wellburn (top photo).

I think this is the coolest office ever. Except for Martha Stewart, who wouldn’t want to work here? I think they’ve probably replaced the original phone (too bad - see middle photo - so awesome), but the rest is original. It seems that Wellburn’s daily surroundings are beginning to rub off. Check out the new Camaro, set for release in 2009.

• Posted by Jennifer at 8:45 pm
• Tagged: Design Ideas, Detroit, Inspiration