Top Designers Raise $24,000 to Help AIDS Orphans
Todd Oldham Chair Styling Brings in $3000
Writer David Batterson

Oct 8 | archive | subscribe

Celebrity designers performed their artistic magic by styling the classic Eames plywood chair for a charity event at the Herman Miller, Inc. New York National Design Center. The unique fundraiser benefited the Peace House Foundation (PHF), a United States-based, nonprofit organization committed to educating children affected by the AIDS pandemic in East Africa.

The event was inspired by the 100-year anniversary of the birth of Charles Eames, the co-creator, with his wife and design partner Ray, of the famous Eames plywood chair. That creation was named the “Design of the Century” by Time magazine in 1999. In honor of Charles Eames' birth, Herman Miller invited 11 renowned designers and firms to honor the Eames molded plywood chair with their own stylistic vision.

Todd Oldham, Ayse Birsel, David Rockwell, Jim Richard & Kelly Bauer, Edelman Leather, Jaime Drake, Janine James, Michael Gabellini, Pentagram, Luna Textiles and Maharam had their versions of the chairs sold at the event by live auction. Herman Miller donated all proceeds, a total of $24,000, from the art pieces to PHF.

Celebrated designer Oldham's work received the highest bid—$3,000—of all the completed chair designs. Oldham was the host of “Top Design” on the Bravo channel. He's a board member for Bailey House, the nation's oldest supportive housing program for persons with HIV/AIDS. toddoldham.com

PHF spokesperson Bari Trontz said “the $24,000 raised at this event will support the Peace House Foundation in their efforts to educate Tanzania's most vulnerable children. The success of the Herman Miller event,” she added, “is a testament to the enormous compassion and generosity on behalf of the design community in New York.”

PHF is committed to helping children affected by the AIDS pandemic in Tanzania, Africa. PHF received 100 acres of land by the Tanzanian government to build and operate a boarding school for secondary school-age orphans. The Peace House Secondary School will provide traditional course work and a special entrepreneurial business curriculum, teaching students necessary skills for a productive future.

PHF was established in 2000 by volunteers from Peace Lutheran Church in Bloomington, Minnesota. The group is dedicated to meeting the educational needs of children who lost their parents to HIV/AIDS. peacehousefoundation.org

Photo courtesy TRAE PATTON / Bravo TV
Photo caption:  Todd Oldham's Eames chair reinterpretation (photo courtesy Herman Miller, Inc.).