Office designs that work everywhere

Impeccable standards

Florence Knoll frequently designed furniture when she couldn’t find what she needed. She humbly referred to her furniture designs as the “meat and potatoes”—filler among the standout pieces of Harry Bertoia, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, and Eero Saarinen. However, with her attention to detail, eye for proportion, and command of the modern aesthetic, many of her designs have become as revered and celebrated as those of her colleagues.

A firm believer in creating a total design, where all elements in a building work together to articulate a coherent language, Florence designed simple, beautifully proportioned furniture that echoed the lines of modern architecture. “I designed the architectural [elements] that were needed to make the room work,” she said.

CEO-approved

Nearly every office interior designed by Florence Knoll and the Knoll Planning Unit included Saarinen Executive Chairs. Introduced in 1950, the chair transformed the notion of what executive seating could be—sculptural, refined, and elegant. At a time when office furniture came in a choice of beige or grey, the Saarinen Executive Chair could be specified in any of the coveted Knoll Textiles upholsteries.

While named for its apt spot in an executive office, designers soon specified the Saarinen Executive Chair throughout the workplace, from boardrooms to cafes. Because of the widespread success that brought it everywhere, it’s not surprising that today the Saarinen Executive Chair is as likely to be found in restaurants and residences as it is in workplaces.

Warm hospitality

Italian designer Piero Lissoni brought his signature minimalist aesthetic to the Knoll workplace with the KN™ Collection. Several options swivel and recline, accommodating everyday movements without sacrificing aesthetics. The way these pieces engage the user in a space is true to Florence Knoll’s belief that furniture design is about creating relationships between people and architecture, resulting in a harmonious total design. Visually light and refined, the versatile KN seating collection humanises the experience of interior spaces, from hotel lobbies and corporate lounges to home offices.

Inviting elegance

With their elegant forms paired with luxurious materials, the Grasshopper Tables by Piero Lissoni create a consistent aesthetic throughout a space—from waiting areas to private offices. The slim tabletop is available in uncommon stone, such as Rosso Rubino or Verde Alpi marble, which adds the feeling of rare artwork to a utilitarian form.

Incorporating one-of-a-kind pieces—whether it’s a painting on a wall or a tabletop made of a special material—is an integral part of any Knoll interior. This approach began with Florence Knoll, who approached every office interior as an overall design, where the architecture, furniture, materials, colours, and even works of art are planned concurrently to shape the total experience of space.

Technical precision

Florence Knoll didn’t know what sculptor Harry Bertoia would create when she gave him a studio space and free rein to experiment with the medium of his choice. Optimistic that his passion for expressing ideas through materials would result in a piece of furniture, she waited.

A year and a half later, Bertoia completed his first chair design for Knoll. An airy form made of steel rods, the Bertoia Chair made its debut in 1952. The line was later expanded to include a stackable chair with a molded shell seat in plastic or leather. By unifying art, production, and craft, Bertoia created a classic piece that continues to meet contemporary needs.