Robin Day Furniture
Robin Day 25 May 1915 – 9 November 2010
Following the end of World War II, Robin Day began teaching interior design at the Regent Street Polytechnic, now known as the University of Westminster. It was during this time that he crossed paths with architect Peter Moro (1911-1998), sparking a collaboration that led to the creation of public information exhibitions. These exhibitions, commissioned mainly by government entities like the Central Office of Information, delved into topics such as jet engines and scientific instruments. Day's knack for graphic design shone through in his striking recruitment posters for the RAF in 1948 and 1949.
Despite facing setbacks in pursuing mid century furniture design due to the war, Day's luck turned around in 1948 when he and Clive Latimer clinched First Prize in the Storage Section of an International Competition for Low-Cost Furniture Design held by New York's Museum of Modern Art. Their innovative idea involved crafting multi-functional storage units from pre-formed moulded plywood tubes, a concept that garnered widespread praise globally. While these units were never mass-produced, a series of prototypes crafted by Heal & Son in 1949 showcased the design's versatility and efficiency. Elevated on sleek tubular aluminum legs, these cabinets featured sliding doors, adaptable shelf and drawer configurations, as well as a convenient writing desk with a fold-down flap.
Day's success in the Museum Of Modern Art competition brought him to the attention of Rosamind Julius and her husband of the S. Hille & Co., a small London furniture firm keen to branch out into modern design. The prize was also instrumental in securing an important commission to design the seating for the Royal Festival Hall in 1951, another major breakthrough in his career.
