Saarinen: 1910-1961: a Structural Expressionist (Basic Art) book

This book by Pierluigi Serraino on Eero Saarinen, from the TASCHEN Basic Architecture Series, explores the legacy of a master of modernist form and futuristic flair. Eero Saarinen (1910–1961) left an indelible mark on 20th-century architecture and design. Best known in the furniture world for his elegant Tulip chairs and tables for Knoll, Saarinen sought to eliminate what he called the “slum of legs”—replacing traditional four-legged furniture with sleek, single-stemmed silhouettes that looked plucked from a space-age dream.

It’s no coincidence that his vision still resonates in film today. The interiors of Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025) take clear design cues from Saarinen’s sculptural language—particularly in the Baxter Building’s retro-futurist aesthetic. His influence helped shape the look and feel of Marvel’s latest cinematic home for superheroes, proving that his legacy continues to inform how we imagine the future.

Beyond furniture, Saarinen also redefined the American postwar skyline. From the soaring Gateway Arch in St. Louis to the wing-like curves of the TWA Terminal at JFK and the monumental Dulles International Airport, his architectural achievements embraced fluidity, elegance, and innovation.

This beautifully illustrated book traces Saarinen’s life and career—from his education and collaborations (including with Charles Eames and his wife, the critic Aline Bernstein Saarinen) to his most iconic buildings and designs. It’s an accessible, authoritative introduction to a design mind whose work continues to inspire architecture, interiors, and cinema alike.

The book offers a rich overview of Saarinen’s work, with an engaging introduction to his life and approach, a chronological presentation of his major projects, and fascinating insight into the clients, construction challenges, and creative thinking behind them. A list of selected works with a location map is included, along with approximately 120 illustrations, featuring photographs, plans, sketches, and drawings.