FLORENCE KNOLL
Florence Knoll (1917-2019) was an American
Entrepreneur
Architect Designer
"[Ms.Knoll] probably did more than
any other single figure to create the
modern, sleek, postwar American
office, introducing contemporary
furniture and a sense of open
planning into the work environment."
- Paul Goldberger, NYT
Architecture Critic
knoll.com
Paste-up by Florence Knoll for Cowles Publication
architect, designer, and entrepreneur who set the
standard for modern post-war corporate interiors
(Knoll Inc., 2022). Known for her clean and
functional furniture forms, artistic textiles, and
comprehensive space planning, Knoll's designs
have transcended time. Florence Knoll's husband,
Hans Knoll, was a furniture maker and together
they created Knoll Associates in 1946. Running
the company's department known as the Knoll knoll.com
Designing furniture herself and commissioning some of
Planning Unit, Knoll spearheaded the interior the best postwar designers, Knoll Inc. was the birthplace
of notable furniture pieces including the "womb chair",
design side of the business which involved
the Knoll sofa, the desk table, and more. The images
vigorous research and surveying of clients. Knoll's above and below feature these pieces (McFadden, 2019).
work could be seen in some of the largest
American corporations of the time including IBM,
CBS, and GM (Knoll Inc., 2022).
Following her husband's unexpected death in
1955, Knoll succeeded him as president where
she continued to grow the company until knoll.com knoll.com
knoll.com
stepping away 1965. Knoll Inc. remains today as The Desk Table The "Womb Chair"
Designed for Knoll by Euro Sarrinen
one of the largest and most prestigious high-end
design firms in the world (McFadden, 2019).
Praised for her eye in both interior and furniture
design, Knoll was awarded countless honors
including the AIA Gold Medal for Industrial Design
(being the first woman to do so), Good Design
Award from the Museum of Modern Art, and knoll.com New York Times
honorary degrees from three different The Knoll Sofa Knoll Storefront 2013
universities (Deamer, 2022).
Gabrielle Fernandez ITMD 231
 REFERENCES
Millerknoll Collective. (2022). Knoll Designer Bios: Florence Knoll. Knoll.
https://www.knoll.com/designer/Florence-Knoll

Deamer, P. (2022). Florence Knoll Bassett. Pioneering Women of American

Architecture. https://pioneeringwomen.bwaf.org/florence-knoll-bassett/

Cranbrook Center for Collections and Research. (2022). No Compromise: The Work
of Florence Knoll. Cranbrook Center for Collections and Research.
https://center.cranbrook.edu/events/2021-09/no-compromise-work-florence-knoll

McFadden, R. D. (2019, Jan. 25). Florence Knoll Bassett, 101, Designer of the Modern
American Office, Dies. New York Times.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/25/style/florence-knoll-bassett-dead.html