Project Title: Screen by Eileen Gray

Original Design: Eileen Gray’s Screen, often referred to as the Brick Screen, is a masterful example of early 20th-century modernist design. Composed of rectangular, interlocking wooden panels, lacquered in black and ivory, the screen is arranged in a staggered pattern that mimics the structure of a brick wall. This innovative design allows light and air to filter through the gaps, while still maintaining a sense of privacy. The screen’s geometric composition and use of high-quality lacquer showcase Gray’s ability to merge form and function, embodying her modernist sensibilities with a nod to Art Deco luxury.

Creation Year: 1922

Creation Location: Paris, France

Read This if you are Into: Modernist furniture design, Art Deco, early 20th-century design, the work of Eileen Gray, geometric abstraction in interiors, and the balance of aesthetic and practicality in architectural elements.

Why is this important: Eileen Gray’s Screen stands as a landmark in the evolution of modernist design, highlighting the movement’s emphasis on practicality, geometric simplicity, and visual elegance. Gray, a pioneering figure in both the Art Deco and modernist movements, used this piece to challenge the traditional boundaries between furniture and architecture. The Screen is not merely a functional divider; it is a sculptural work that redefines the way space can be manipulated and experienced. As one of the few prominent female designers of her era, Gray’s work continues to influence contemporary design, particularly through her integration of aesthetic appeal with versatile, architectural functionality.