Modern Design 
29 March 2012
Modern Design 
274

Holabird and Root

sofa from Research and Engineering Building of the A.O. Smith Corporation

USA, 1930
aluminum, leather, machined aluminum 33½ h × 77 w × 32 d in (85 × 196 × 81 cm)
estimate: $10,000–15,000
result: $10,000
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Sold with a copy of a bulletin including a reprint of The Architectural Forum article about the Research and Engineering Building of the A.O. Smith Corporation.
provenance: Research and Engineering Building of the A.O. Smith Corporation, Milwaukee | Private collection
literature: The Architectural Forum, vol. LV no .5, 1931 The Machine Age in America 1918-1941, Wilson, Pilgrim and Tashjian, pg. 71

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Holabird & Root

Architects, John Holabird and John Wellborn Root designed the Research and Engineering Building of the A. O. Smith Corporation, Milwaukee to provide maximum efficiency of light, air and space. Hailed as a wonder building at it time of construction (1930-1931), the art deco structure of stone, aluminum and glass was an image of modernity. Besides hosting the research facilities for the manufacturing company, the building also housed staff offices and a showroom; Holabird and Root designed a progressive interior that included machine-like furnishings made of aluminum and steel. This sofa comes from the lobby.
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