Walter Knoll: The Furniture Brand of Modernity

Walter Knoll is a leading furniture manufacturer founded in 1865 by Wilhelm Knoll. The company has a long history of innovative designs and collaborations with renowned architects and designers. Recently, the Thomas Mann House in Los Angeles was transformed into a representative transatlantic meeting place, showcasing Walter Knoll furnishings and German creativity and performance in arts and business.

Format: Hardback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 26 April 2019
Publisher: teNeues Publishing UK Ltd

Walter Knoll, a renowned furniture manufacturer, has a captivating company biography that delves into its formative figures, Wilhelm, Hans, and Walter Knoll, as well as its most recent addition, Markus Benz. Spanning over a century and a half, this book charts the evolution of the company's designs in tandem with significant cultural and historical developments.

Recently, when the Thomas Mann House in Los Angeles was acquired by the Federal Republic of Germany and transformed into a representative transatlantic meeting place, Walter Knoll furnishings played a pivotal role in defining its interior design. This showcase exemplified German creativity and excellence in arts and business.

Located in Herrenberg, near Stuttgart, the 150-year-old furniture business stands as one of the most successful and globally renowned furniture companies of the modern era. With a rich heritage, Walter Knoll's history traces back to Wilhelm Knoll, the founding father of the Knoll dynasty, who established a leather shop in Stuttgart in 1865. Over time, Knoll's expertise and craftsmanship led him to rise from a cobbler to the court purveyor to the House of Wurttemberg. When his sons, Willy and Walter, took over the company in 1907, they embarked on a transformative journey by introducing the first club armchair to Germany and becoming the industry's pioneer in exporting upholstered furniture. Their groundbreaking innovations marked a revolutionary era in the world of upholstered furniture.

After founding his own company in the 1920s, Walter Knoll achieved remarkable success in the avant-garde interior design world. In 1927, he garnered widespread attention with a landmark exhibition at the Weissenhof Estate in Stuttgart, under the guidance of the renowned architect Mies van der Rohe. His son, Hans Knoll, followed in his footsteps and ventured to the United States in the 1930s. There, he founded his own company, Knoll Inc., and with it, rewrote the history of design. In 1993, Markus Benz, the son of Rolf Benz, joined the Walter Knoll family, further contributing to the company's legacy of innovation and excellence.

Walter Knoll's commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and design has remained unwavering throughout its history. The company's designs have consistently pushed boundaries, blending aesthetics with functionality to create spaces that are both visually stunning and highly functional. From its early beginnings in leather production to its current status as a global leader in high-end furnishing manufacturing, Walter Knoll has consistently upheld its reputation for excellence.

Today, Walter Knoll continues to be a symbol of luxury and sophistication, with its furniture gracing prestigious homes, offices, and public spaces around the world. The company's dedication to innovation, sustainability, and social responsibility has earned it a loyal customer base and a place among the most respected furniture manufacturers in the industry.

In conclusion, Walter Knoll's company biography is a testament to the enduring legacy of a furniture dynasty that has shaped the world of interior design for over a century and a half. From its humble beginnings to its current status as a global leader, Walter Knoll has consistently delivered exceptional quality, craftsmanship, and design, leaving an indelible mark on the industry. As the company looks forward to the future, it remains committed to pushing boundaries, creating spaces that inspire and delight, and upholding its reputation as a symbol of luxury and excellence.

Weight: 2584g
Dimension: 321 x 255 x 39 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783961711796