East Greenville, PA., June 25, 2024 – Knoll, a recognized leader in design for architectural interiors, has launched three new finishes for four Bauhaus-era collections, marking the first time the tubular steel collections are being commercially produced in ultra-matte colors.
White, onyx, and an archival dark red are now available for the MR Chair and MR Tables by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, and for the Wassily Chair, Cesca Chairs and Stools, and Laccio Tables by Marcel Breuer.
Commenting on the new colors, Jonathan Olivares, Senior Vice President of Design at Knoll, said, “When these pieces were first made by workshops in Germany their frames were painted, giving us a precedent to build on and license to take on the recoloring. Seeing the tubular structures in white, onyx and red, the way these colors interact with the seats and backrests, completely changes our perception of the work and allows us to see them with fresh eyes.”
The collections were first introduced when Mies van der Rohe and Breuer were both at the Bauhaus, and the newly launched colors have ties to the influential institution. The dark red ultra-matte finish was inspired by a Bauhaus color originally offered on the MR Chair, while the white and onyx were valued by Bauhaus designers for how they reflected or absorbed light, enhanced geometric forms, and defined edges.
In keeping with the Bauhaus roots of Mies van der Rohe and Breuer’s tubular steel collections, the expanded color palette brings new depth to the tonal, textural materiality of residential, hospitality, and workplace interiors.
The above video and images include shots at urban environments made of concrete, tubular steel, and glass. Creative Director Suzanne Michaels commented, “The industrial materials connect with those emphasized in Bauhaus architecture. The slabs, curves, and planes reflect the silhouettes of the products as well as the core geometries of that era.”
Shop the collections on knoll.com.
Video & Image Credits:
Row 1-3: Adam Jason Cohen
Final Row: Courtesy of Knoll
About Knoll
At the intersection of people and environments, there’s Knoll. Founded in 1938, the company’s creative collaborations with the most influential architects and designers of the day have yielded an unmatched portfolio of timeless products for the office, hospitality and home. Knoll was built on its belief that when furniture, interiors and architecture are designed harmoniously, we create spaces where people want to be. Knoll is part of MillerKnoll, a collective of the world’s most dynamic design brands. Learn more at knoll.com.