1. designers
Knoll celebrates its diamond anniversary with a display
of iconic designs and contemporary artistry at Salone del
Mobile 2015.
Feature: Zein Al Maha Oweis. Photography: Courtesy of Knoll
Abiding
Creativity
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2. designers
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Designer Harry Bertoia
❝The original design
was specifically created
to adapt to a variety of
environments
❞
S
ince 1938, Knoll has been recognised
worldwide for its creative residential
and office furniture collections. For 75
years the family business has been purveying
creations of furniture captured by the culture
and ideas of the 20th century. Founded by Hans
Knoll, a third-generation furniture maker from
Stuttgart, the firm aims to promote European
designs overseas.
Crafted from quality materials for offices and
homes, Knoll’s furniture pieces are personal and
unique, with the firm striving to create positive
lifestyle evolutions through design. Described as
“elegant avant-garde design,” the German brand
has been able to capture the attention of myriad
acclaimed and talented upcoming designers
throughout the years. Knoll’s collections are
known for outstanding pieces, whether they are
crafted in wood or metal, for the office or home
décor, they showcase the finest craftsmanship.
Proving ingenious in terms of its manufacturing
innovation and technology integration, Knoll
has earned its legacy of excellence.
As part of the 54th edition of the Salone del
Mobile, Milan’s international design fair, Knoll
presented three new designs – the Bertoia Plastic
Side Chair, the Pilot Chair and the Pollock Arm
Char – in April this year. The trio of chairs took
centre stage at the firm’s This is Knoll booth,
created by OMA, which focused on vibrant
colour, stylistic games and timeless furnishing
proposals. Works by late Italian designer Harry
Bertoia were highlighted to expose his exquisite
repertoire of compelling sculptures, jewellery
and other artworks. In addition, British architect
Petra Blaisse’s Inside Outside space design
offered fair-goers creative insight into the
intersection between architecture and art.
Anniversary Edition
As a way of celebrating Knoll’s 75th anniversary,
one of its most iconic designs, the Bertoia Plastic
Side Chair has been revised with a chromium-
plated steel rod structure and a polypropylene
seat; it is now available in a range contemporary
colours. Designed by Harry Bertoia in 1952, the
piece continues to be hailed as an “imitable
creation.” The original design was specifically
created to adapt to a variety of environments
and extra attention was given to its unique,
highly comfortable seat.
Other additions reworked from Bertoia’s resume
are five seating options respected for their artistic
flare. Exquisite pieces for casual dining spaces
are the Side Chair and Stool, while the Diamond
and Large Diamond armchairs serve as alluring
lounge models. Bertoia’s Bird Chair rounds out
the offering and it, like all of his chairs, portrays
a commitment to intelligent design.
Bertoia Plastic Side Chair in orange

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designers
Seat of Control
From British designers Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby comes
the Pilot Chair, designed this year. The modern lounge chair is a
versatile design and a welcome addition to any type of space. With
design collaborations between the duo and Knoll flourishing in
recent years, this new innovation captures the ideas of both brands
moving forward from heritage design to a more contemporary
aesthetic.
Available in a range of finishes from eye-catching textiles to
rich leathers, the Pilot Chair boasts a commanding, somewhat
aerodynamic profile: a slick and straight-backed chair with
comfortable armrests and a curved seat. This elegant yet
functional and comfortable piece captures the essence of a new
conscientious design culture.The Pilot Chair boasts an aerodynamic profile
British designer duo Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby
The Pilot Chair is available in a range of luxury textiles and finishes

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designers
Revived Aesthetic
As part of ongoing collections, Knoll has also revived
several other historic and iconic pieces to remind the
world of its designs’ classic beauty and timeless elegance.
From this range comes a new rendition of the Pollock
Arm Chair, which was first designed by the late Charles
Pollock in 1964 and produced until 1979. The original
paired-down chair, referred to as the “sling chair” or
“657”, was made of polished chrome steel tubing and
natural cowhide, merging flexibility, comfort, style and
functionality.
The modern (2014) update of Pollock Arm Chair features
a sling in Spinneybeck Belting Leather, seat pad in
urethane cushion with Spinneybeck Portofino or hand-
tipped leather, arms and stretchers in cast aluminum
with a black finish and tubular steel polished chrome
legs. Offered in three refined colour finishes, the chair’s
creative shape and sturdy structure ensure its appeal
but also its durability. This model pays homage to the
ideology of Pollock, who emphasised the importance of
manufacturing furniture that does not date.
A testament to this aim, Pollock’s bestselling Executive
Chair design remains part of the permanent collections
of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the
Smithsonian in Washington DC and also the Louvre in
Paris.
In addition to the Pollock Arm Chair, the revised lines:
Florence Knoll Credenza and Relax Collection were
portrayed alongside Knoll’s three main chair releases.
Both lines feature new armchair and sofa designs fitting
for the home or work environment and have had their
depth enhanced – from 46.5 to 52 centimetres – allowing
improved usability and comfort. For Knoll is more than
well aware that remaining respectful to its revered legacy,
yet open to contemporary innovations and evolving
lifestyles, is essential to the firm’s on-going eminence.
The late Charles Pollock believed in timeless beauty
❝pollock emphasised
the importance of
manufacturing furniture
that does not date
❞
The new rendition of the Pollock Arm Chair
The Pollock Arm Chair was first designed in 1964