The story of Knoll begins in 1938, when Hans Knoll leaves Germany for the United States, determined to turn his dreams into reality; dreams of making the modern style known worldwide.Today, Knoll is known as one of the leading names in the design industry.
"Much like the Bauhaus, Cranbrook was a working place for creative minds."
At the same time as Knoll’s arrival in the States, design experienced a revolution. Amid the chaos in Europe, many designers fled to the other side of the Atlantic, where the Cranbrook Academy of Art had already opened its doors. Much like the Bauhaus, Cranbrook was a working place for creative minds. In a time of heavy industrialization, the school focused on crafts and handwork, encouraging its students to experience with several materials and techniques. Some notable students enrolled, such as Charles Eames, Eero Saarinen and Florence Schust.
Knoll’s story would be however left incomplete without focusing on Florence Schust, who would later on become not only his partner in business, but also in life. It was through her connection with Eliel Saarinen, Eero Saarinen’s father, that Florence came to Cranbrook. Later on in her life, while studying at the Illinois Institute of Technology, she took classes from Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. The friendship that blossomed between them here, proved to be a lasting one, influencing Schust’s style greatly. It was through this friendship that Knoll obtained exclusive manufacturing rights of Mies van der Rohe’s furniture, including the Barcelona chair.In 1941, Florence finally met Hans.
Florence Knoll
The creative mind behind Knoll
From importing to innovating: Knoll as a manufacturer
Earlier, the Hans G. Knoll Furniture Company had been finally established. What started out as importing European designs into the United States came to an end, brought into difficulty by the ongoing war. With shipping no longer viable, Hans realized that success lay in production. From there on, he formed partnerships with many designers. In 1942, his first collection was launched, designed by the Danish Jens Risom. In the years following, Knoll featured the works of many designers, such as Abel Sorenson and Elias Svedberg.Through his connection with Florence, prominent designers began debuting at Knoll, including Eero Saarinen, who then introduced the first Grasshopper chair. Later, Harry Bertoia launched his wire seating collection for Knoll.Knoll quickly evolved from an importer into a manufacturer and an important player in the design world. After Hans’s untimely death in 1955, Knoll continued under Florence’s supervision and later under the Art Metal Construction Company. Florence remained active as a designer for the brand until her retirement in 1965.The renewed Knoll continued to collaborate with new designers and acquire brands such as Gavina, bringing in additional influential designs by Tobia Scarpa and Marcel Breuer.
"Knoll quickly evolved from an importer into a manufacturer and an important player in the design world."
Knoll continued to collaborate with many designers in the years that followed, while staying committed to the principles of modern design.Today, Knoll is recognized worldwide as a leading innovator in interior design. Many of its creations, such as those of Florence Knoll, get featured frequently in exhibitions around the world.