The architectural legacy of Charles and Ray Eames in the context of contemporary spatial design
From 27 to 30 October 2026, ORGATEC will present a curated special exhibition spanning approximately 132 square metres in Hall 10.2, titled “ORGATEC 2026 presents the Eames Pavilion System by Kettal in collaboration with the Eames Office”. At its heart are two walk-in versions of the Eames Pavilion System.
Selected exhibits and materials from the Eames Office archive will also offer insights into the architectural work of Charles and Ray Eames. The special exhibition at the leading international trade fair for workspace and contract solutions brings the history of design and architecture to life in a spatial experience, demonstrating the enduring relevance of the Eameses’ ideas to the
design of flexible and adaptable spaces today.
“With the Eames Pavilion System, ORGATEC is presenting a piece of design history reimagined for today. This flexible modular system, which can adapt to various uses and continuous change, ties in directly with our central theme, ‘From rooms to relationships: designing spaces in an ever-changing world’. At ORGATEC, we aim to make this dialogue between design heritage, innovation and the demands placed on the spaces of tomorrow visible,” says Maik Fischer, Director of ORGATEC.
From the Eames Houses to the Pavilion System
The concept of adaptable architecture is deeply rooted in the work of Charles and Ray Eames. Their residential projects from the 1940s and 1950s – including their own home, Case Study House No. 8, now known as the Eames House, as well as a series of experimental homes featuring steel- and timber-frame construction – exemplify their understanding of architecture as a flexible framework for contemporary living.
The Eames Pavilion System builds on these architectural principles. The project was preceded by almost three years of research and development. Led by long-standing Eames Office collaborator and design consultant Eckart Maise, the Eames Office worked closely with Spanish manufacturer Kettal to study both completed and unbuilt residential projects by Charles and Ray Eames.
“We approached the Eames House not as an object to reproduce, but as th prototype of a system. We studied every component, then translated its logic into contemporary materials and production. The aim was to make that technical work disappear, so the clarity and modularity of the original design remained intact,” explains Antonio Navarro, Creative Director, Kettal.
The result is a fully industrialised, technically advanced and globally available building system that brings the original prototypes into the present day while remaining true to the design principles of Charles and Ray Eames.
ORGATEC 2026 showcases the Eames Pavilion System
The Eames Pavilion System is based on the principle of achieving maximum volume with a small footprint, paired with a clear grid and an understanding of architecture as an adaptable system. Repeatable structural modules can be combined with different roof types, façade elements, glazing, textiles and accessories, allowing the modular building system to be configured flexibly for a wide range of applications, from residential and hospitality settings to workplaces, events, retail environments and exhibitions. At ORGATEC 2026, visitors will have the opportunity to experience the system in the form of two single-storey pavilions, each covering approximately 132 square metres.
The question of how spaces can respond to change and adapt to the needs of their users continues to make the architectural thinking of Charles and Ray Eames relevant today. It is also at the heart of ORGATEC’s central theme, “From rooms to relationships: designing spaces in an ever-changing world”. The special exhibition highlights this thematic connection, relating the ideas of Charles and Ray Eames to contemporary questions surrounding the design of workplaces and contract spaces.
Experience design history
Alongside the Eames Pavilion System, the special exhibition will offer insights into the architectural work of Charles and Ray Eames. Under the title “The Eames Houses”, extensive archival research will provide a window into prevlittle-knowniously littleknown projects and materials from the Eames Office collection. Historical designs, archival drawings, films and photographs will engage in dialogue with contemporary developments, giving visitors an opportunity to explore the origins of the system in greater depth.
“The Eames Houses” is also the title of the first comprehensive sourcebook dedicated to Charles and Ray Eames’ residential architecture. Based on the same archival research, the book was published by Phaidon this summer.
Eckart Maise, Eames Office Project Lead on the Eames Pavilion System and Author of “The Eames Houses”, explains: “Architecture was foundational to Charles and Ray’s practice. While the public often associates their work primarily with furniture, their systemic architectural thinking shaped everything they did. Through rigorous, indepth archival investigation, we uncovered a wealth of material—drawings, studies, and proposals—that had remained largely unseen. Partnering with Kettal on the Eames Pavilion System and introducing ‘The Eames Houses’ allow their ideas to move from the archive into contemporary living, situating their thinking firmly in the present.”
From 27 to 30 October 2026, trade visitors can experience the special exhibition “ORGATEC 2026 presents the Eames Pavilion System by Kettal in collaboration with the Eames Office” in Hall 10.2, Stand N-048. Tickets and more information are available at www.orgatec.com.
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