Designer Spotlight: Florence Knoll

Designer Spotlight: Florence Knoll

Florence Knoll was born on May 24, 1917 in Saginaw, Michigan. She graduated from Kingswood School at the Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan in 1934. Florence Knoll is an American architect and furniture designer who studied under Mies van der Rohe and Eero Saarinen. Florence married Hans Knoll in 1946, and together they formed Knoll Associates.

Florence Knoll often designed furniture when she needed the piece of furniture for a job and it was not readily available. Florence Knoll never regarded herself as a furniture designer but her quest for harmony of space and consistency of design led her to design several of Knoll’s most iconic pieces. In the 1950's Florence Knoll's work was often displayed at the Museum of Modern Art's "Good Design" exhibits. Florence Knoll herself designed chairs, sofas, tables and case goods during the 1950s that remain in the Knoll line to date.

As her furniture became popular, Florence Knoll mixed woods and metals to great effect. Items such as dressers and desks were all square-shaped in design but never lacked quality. The distinctive features of Florence Knoll’s furniture designs were the sleek silhouettes and geometries. Florence Knoll’s furniture was designed with the notion of transforming architecture into furniture and her designs were architectural in foundation and not sculptural. 

The National Medal of Arts was awarded to Florence Knoll in 2002 for her extraordinary contributions to architecture and design.

 

Knoll sofa

The knoll Sofa is manufactured by Knoll according to the original and exacting specifications of the Florence Knoll. This sofa has been made in the USA and is part of Florence’ collection. It is made of  solid wood inner frame, Metal base and legs which are made of heavy gauge tubular steel, variable density tufted cushions, polished chrome outer frame seat suspension with no-sag springs semi-aniline leather upholstery and is Greenguard certified. 

The Knoll Sofa is ideal in both formal and informal settings. The Knoll Sofa is available in a customer’s choice of fabric or leather upholstery. The best thing with Knoll Sofa is that it is perfect for both formal and informal settings, including lounge areas, waiting rooms, universities, art galleries and private homes.

Knoll armchair

The original design for Knoll Armchair was conceived in 1956 by Florence Knoll, who is a world class architect and designer. Knoll Armchair was originally meant to complement the classic innovations of Saarinen and Bertoia, and the style perfectly complements today’s modern home and office. Knoll armchair consists of cubic cushions featuring compressed buttons in a purposeful and logical layout that provides style and comfort to the supporting minimalist frame.

Knoll armchair is becoming even more popular as its minimalist yet functional design fits perfectly into today's modern home. 

References:
Florence Knoll Biography