charles and ray eames's final works get closer look at major san francisco exhibition

Final Decade of Eames Design Uncovered at Transamerica Pyramid

The Eames Institute of Infinite Curiosity, in collaboration with SHVO, launches its first major public exhibition, Past as Prologue: The Last Decade of Furniture Design by Charles and Ray Eames, at the Transamerica Pyramid Center in San Francisco. Opening during San Francisco Design Week 2025, the exhibition brings rarely seen furniture and archival materials into public view, highlighting a lesser-known but deeply significant chapter in the Eameses’ legacy. Spanning the years 1968 to 1978, Past as Prologue explores how the iconic duo refined and adapted their designs in response to rapid social and technological shifts. Rather than reinventing their work, Charles and Ray Eames focused on thoughtful iteration—embracing new materials like polyurethane and injection-molded plastics, and addressing the rising demand for modularity and workplace ergonomics in a changing office culture.

all images courtesy of the Eames Institute

‘Past as Prologue’ Reconnects Design Legacy with Place

Curated by Llisa Demetrios, Chief Curator of the Eames Institute and granddaughter of Charles and Ray Eames, Past as Prologue features original furniture prototypes, design documents, and ephemera from the Eames Archives. ‘This era is often overlooked,’ says Demetrios. ‘It was exciting to bring forward work that was created within my lifetime and give it new visibility.’ Many of the featured pieces reflect the needs of a growing white-collar workforce, as companies like Herman Miller and Vitra transitioned into the contract office market.

The exhibition is staged at the newly renovated Transamerica Pyramid—an architectural icon that, fittingly, debuted in 1972 with original Eames furniture in its interiors. A companion Time Capsule Exhibition runs alongside Past as Prologue, featuring archival footage and original video that connect the Eameses’ work directly to the building’s history. Together, the exhibitions underscore how Bay Area design heritage continues to shape its creative present.

In addition to the gallery, the Institute is opening two retail footprints within the Transamerica Pyramid. One features curated items from William Stout Architectural Books and Eames merchandise in the main lobby, while the other, inside the exhibition, serves as a gift shop for catalogs and design-related products. An online companion exhibition ensures broader access, aligning with the Institute’s mission to share the Eames legacy with a global audience.

Past as Prologue brings rarely seen furniture and archival materials into public view

installation view of Past as Prologue: The Last Decade of Furniture Design

the exhibition is staged at the newly renovated Transamerica Pyramid

spanning the years 1968 to 1978, the show explores how the duo adapted their designs to social and technological shifts

the show highlights a lesser-known chapter in the Eameses’ legacy

the exhibition features original furniture prototypes, design documents, and ephemera

promotional photograph from 1971 shows an Eames Chaise, EC176 Loose Cushion Armchairs, and Walnut Stools in an office composed of freestanding AO2 panels

photograph of EC127 Pull-Up Chairs taken at the Eames Office in June 1970.

the EA219 Tilt-Swivel High Back Desk Armchair on set of the film Soft Pad at the Eames Office, May 1970

early version of the ES108 Eames Sofa featuring soft pads suspended from a Compact Sofa frame, as opposed to the final version which utilizes teak panels

EC178 Loose Cushion Office Seating Prototype

Loose Cushion Armchair cushion prototypes

EC176 Loose Cushion Armchair (Casters)

ES101 Intermediate Chair  

A 1969 view into the Eames Office at 901 Washington shows the many projects in development including the Eames Chaise, Soft Pad group, and Loose Cushion armchairs and settee

project info: 

name: Past as Prologue: The Last Decade of Furniture Design by Charles and Ray Eames
organized by: The Eames Institute | @eamesinstitute in partnership with SHVO | @shvo
location: Transamerica Pyramid Annex Gallery, 535 Washington Street, San Francisco, CA 94111
dates: from June 6th, 2025