Nelson™ Platform Bench – Metal Base from Herman Miller

First created for his own New York office, George Nelson’s slatted bench balances utility and beauty in a versatile design that never goes out of style. Used as a hall bench or low table, it seamlessly complements any space while celebrating the natural variations of the wood. The platform is supported by slender, chrome-finished metal legs with leveling glides. Available in three lengths: 48”, 60”, and 72”. Produced by Herman Miller®, a manufacturer in MoMA’s collection, from Nelson’s 1946 design. Made in the USA. Metal leg assembly required.

Reflecting on his remarkable 50-year career, George Nelson described a series of creative “zaps”—moments of out-of-the-blue inspiration. He also believed that furniture should be “a simple, direct expression of construction with existing techniques.” A 1931 graduate of Yale’s School of Fine Arts, Nelson became an architect after graduate school, when building was at a standstill following the Great Depression and World War II. He held the post of director of the Herman Miller furniture company from 1946 to 1965 and became one of the most influential figures in modern American design. He commissioned work by the Eameses, Alexander Girard, and others who made significant contributions to the field. Six examples of Nelson’s designs are included in MoMA’s collection.