A Tale of Two Camels

Richard Neutra’s Camel Table is an Underappreciated Icon

Every small house should have two camels: one standing, and one lying down. At least, that’s according to Dion Neutra, architect and son of Richard Neutra, architect and designer of the Camel Table. This transforming table takes its inspiration from nature—resembling the legs of a camel when lying down or standing up.

In the 2012 documentary The Oyler House, the late Dion Neutra explains that he owned two of these tables, but rarely, if ever, used them for their intended purpose: transformation. The camel table has hinged, bent legs. Tucking them up or down puts the tabletop at coffee table or dining table height, respectively.

In an era of ever-shrinking apartments, this underappreciated, 1940s design icon deserves more attention. Whether the legs are wood or steel, it’s just so stylish. The tubular steel version even looks like a more practical version of Marcel Breuer’s Laccio Table.

In the 2010s, German furniture company VS had a line of Neutra-designed furniture, which included the Camel Table. Unfortunately, this no longer seems to be in production. But ARCH FIEND would love to see these tables being mass produced. (We’re begging you, IKEA!)

And even if one spends most of its time on its knees, wouldn’t it be great to have two Camels? Preparing for large get-togethers would be as simple as turning the coffee table into an extension of the dining table. We’d much prefer a Camel Table to the kids’ table at Thanksgiving. AF