Knoll

Heritage

Knoll was founded in New York City in 1938 by Hans Knoll, and was soon shaped by Florence Knoll (née Schust), who had studied at Cranbrook and under Mies van der Rohe at the Illinois Institute of Technology. Production moved to Pennsylvania in 1950; after Hans's death in 1955 Florence led the company. Knoll is headquartered in East Greenville, Pennsylvania, and also manufactures in Italy (Foligno, Graffignana). Since 2021 it is part of MillerKnoll.

Philosophy

For more than 80 years Knoll has remained true to the Bauhaus philosophy that modern furniture should complement architectural space, not compete with it. Its motto, 'Modern Always', expresses a commitment to modern design, an understanding of the nature of work and sustainable design for workplace and residential furnishings that inspire, evolve and endure.

Iconic Works

• Barcelona® Chair – Mies van der Rohe (rights granted 1953)
• Womb™ Chair (1948) and Tulip™ / Pedestal Collection (1956–57) – Eero Saarinen
• Bertoia Diamond™ Chair (1952) – Harry Bertoia
• Wassily™ Chair – Marcel Breuer
• Platner Collection (1966) – Warren Platner

Today

Knoll serves workplace, education, healthcare, government and residential clients with office systems, seating, tables, storage, textiles (KnollTextiles) and accessories. More than 40 Knoll designs are in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art, and in 2011 Knoll received the Cooper Hewitt National Design Award for Corporate and Institutional Achievement.