Robin Day 652 unit, 1950

652 unit by Robin Day for Hille, 1950.

An early and rare Robin Day design for storage, the capacious 652 unit met significant functional requirements embracing enclosed storage, a drop-down unit and glazed display space with adjustable shelves. The centrally placed dropdown functioned as a bar, with fittings designed to complete its function.

The unit tapes back over the upper section to reduce mass, and the leg formation achieves a lightness with floating appearance.

Selective use of cherry and sycamore veneers and texture provided through the routed lower doors create a decorative flair, whilst the design remains minimal in aesthetic.

The unit is extremely rare and it is understood a very limited production was undertaken. It was originally created for Hille's stand at the Furniture Trades Exhibition at Earl's Court in January 1951. It was illustrated at the time in the Architects' Journal, 22 Feb 1951 p.234, and also in The Cabinet Maker, 28 April 1951, p.365, which describes it as follows:

'A new series of Robin Day designed units, each of which affords considerable storage accommodation, with bookcase or display cabinet above, was featured by Hille & Co. at the recent B.F.M. Exhibition. These units, each of which is complete in itself, are externally of weathered sycamore, except for the flaps which are veneered with cherry. The glass shelves in the top section are adjustable in height, the flap enclosed centre sections are fitted for writing, cocktails or general storage and the bottom cupboard doors, which simulate a tambour effect, enclose a drawer and shelves. The backward slope, which commences from the fall flap height upwards, undoubtedly improves the lines of these units and prevents any suggestion of heaviness.'

In the same year, three of these cabinets were incorporated into a 'Country Parlour' room setting designed by Eden Minns on behalf of the Council of Industrial Design in the Homes and Gardens Section of the Festival of Britain. This display wasn't installed until around July 1951 but was part of a redisplay that took place mid-way through the Festival, which explains why it didn't receive coverage initially and why Robin Day wasn't credited. The cabinets are illustrated in situ in this display in the Architects' Journal 2 August 1951, p.136.

twentytwentyone extends thanks to Lesley Jackson in gathering this information. 

71w x 43d x 183cmh