Walter Knoll is the oldest manufacturer of upholstered furniture in Germany: in 2015, it celebrated its 150th anniversary. Stable success brought her the ability to be ahead, ahead of his time.

Related: Walter Knoll and things for a quiet life

Unlike many other companies, Walter Knoll is known not only for the year of foundation, but even for the day: on June 6, 1865, Wilhelm Knoll opened a leather goods shop in Stuttgart, including furniture. The business flourished, and in 1906, Wilhelm received the title of the official supplier of the Württemberg Royal House. A year later, the first club chair in Germany was presented to the public.

The founder of the company is Wilhelm Knoll (1839-1907). The first club chair, released in Germany, 1907.

The sons of Wilhelm, Willy and Walter, inherited the father’s business in 1907: they significantly modernized production, which later allowed them to survive the global economic crisis. The first revolutionary model was Antimott. Expensive fillers in the chair were replaced with patented coil springs in textile cases. Armchairs get so light and comfortable that they were used to equip the then fashionable airships.

Реклама кресла Prodomo.

В 1925 году амбициозный Вальтер Кнолл основал собственную фирму Walter Knoll & Co — он не видел себя в бизнесе отца, а брата Вилли считал слишком прогматичным. Вдохновленный впечатлениями от поездок в США, Вальтер мечтал привенести в мебельное производство те новые веяния, которые он наблюдал в архитектуре и искусстве, стать таким же первопроходцем, как Мис ван дер Роэ, Вальтер Гропиус и Ле Корбюзье.

The student dormitory in Hamburg is furnished with Vostra armchairs. Photo of 1953.

In 1928, Walter Knoll patented an elastic steel belt in the manufacture of armchairs - this is how Prodomo appeared, which is considered to be the first model of the modern type in history. It was what everyone was waiting for: a light comfortable chair, inexpensive to manufacture, and therefore affordable. Walter Knoll received an unusual order: to furnish the world's first wide-body DoX aircraft with the armchairs and sofas of the Prodomo line.

Walter Knoll began as a leather industry, for 150 years accumulated invaluable experience. Flawless line - one of the criteria of skill.

In the post-war years, when the heavyweight style called Gelsenkirchen Baroque triumphed everywhere in Germany, Walter Knoll popularized modern style. The clean lines of the 1949 Vostra model embodied the modern lifestyle and helped the company gain international recognition.

Classic Edition. Votteler Chair, Arno Votteler Design. 1956 Classic Edition. Votteler Chair, Arno Votteler Design. 1956 Interior solution from Walter Knoll 2018. Interior solution from Walter Knoll 2018 Interior solution Walter Knoll 2018. Chair 375. In 2018, Walter Knoll designers released remakes of the 1957 model. Now the line includes a chair, armchair, bar stool, sofa. Chair 375. In 2018, Walter Knoll designers released remakes of the 1957 model. Now the line includes a chair, armchair, bar stool, sofa. Chair 375. In 2018, Walter Knoll designers released remakes of the 1957 model. Now the line includes a chair, armchair, bar stool, sofa. Интересная версия: сочетает текстиль и кожу наппа.

The era of economic miracle was determined by organic forms. At the first furniture salon in Cologne in 1950, Walter Knoll presented chairs with bowls, soft chairs with elliptical seats, round cocktail chairs. Model 369, created in 1956, is still among the icons of lifestyle style. Items were created in collaboration with significant designers of the time, such as Arne Votteler, Herbert Hirsche, Herta-Maria Wittmann, Preben Fabricius. In 1956, the first German TV tower in Stuttgart was furnished with Walter Knoll furniture.

Classic Edition. Armchair FK. Design authors: Preben Fabricius and Jørgen Castholm. 1967.

In the 1970s, the company's contractual direction was formed. Since then, Walter Knoll has built a high reputation for creating elegant office furniture for executives, meeting rooms and VIP-level meeting rooms, as well as upholstered furniture for the lobby and premium public spaces. Projects include the European Central Bank in Frankfurt, King Abdullah University in Saudi Arabia, and the German Embassy in Brazil.

Classic Edition. Armchair 369 - 1956 model. Classic Edition, Berlin Chair. Design: Maynard von Gerkan. 1975 Classic Edition. Berlin Chair. Design: Maynard von Gerkan. 1975 Classic Edition, armchair Fabricius. Design by Preben Fabricius. 1972.

In 1993, the company was acquired by the famous Benz family of furniture. Since then, Markus Benz, the eldest son, has been successfully managing the business and collaborating with prominent world-renowned architects and designers. British Norman Foster and the duet PearsonLl oyd, the Austrian bureau EOOS, the Dutchman Ben van Berkel, the Japanese Kengo Kuma, the Italian Claudio Bellini work for the brand.

Marcus Bentz, Walter Knoll. The Foster 512 soft bench is designed for the contract sector of Walter Knoll by the architectural firm Foster + Partners. The Foster 520 is one of the most famous Walter Knoll armchairs. Designed by the architectural bureau Foster + Partners. Reinterprets the archetype of the club chair. The FK Walter Knoll chair is a symbol of status and luxury. Created in 1967, it still remains one of the most popular office models. The Foster 500 series of upholstered furniture has been designed for the lobby of hotels and office lounge areas, however, it is used with no less success in residential interiors. The project of the architectural bureau Foster + Partners. Conference-X table system. Design: EOOS office for the Walter Knoll contract sector. Patented technology Easy Handle connection. Tadeo Conferencing table, designed by EOOS for the Walter Knoll contract sector. The model brings to the office the beauty of natural material and craftsmanship. The table top is made of solid wood. Tadeo Conferencing table, designed by EOOS for the Walter Knoll contract sector. The model brings to the office the beauty of natural material and craftsmanship. The table top is made of solid wood. Office chair Leadchair Management, diz. EOOS. Metal, leather.

Walter Knoll became very successful in 2017: furniture items, as well as the company's exhibition stand, received 13 international design awards. Thus, the total number of premiums exceeded 140.

Interior solution from Walter Knoll 2018. Sofa Bundle, diz. bureau EOOS. Upholstery resembles a large folded blanket. Model 2018. Sofa Bundle, diz. bureau EOOS. Model 2018. Upholstery resembles a large folded blanket - the idea is as simple as the original. Sofa Bundle, diz. bureau EOOS. Model 2018. Upholstery resembles a large folded blanket. Armchair Onsa, 2018. Designer Mauro Lipparini was inspired by the Japanese aesthetics of Wabi Sabi, the way of life of Tokyo - the world's largest megalopolis. "Japan taught me that design is not only a form, but also a deep awareness of empty space." Armchair Onsa, 2018. Designer Mauro Lipparini was inspired by the Japanese aesthetics of Wabi Sabi, the way of life of Tokyo - the world's largest megalopolis. "Japan taught me that design is not only a form, but also a deep awareness of empty space." Interior solution Walter Knoll 2018. Call carpet Legends of Carpets, diz. Helmut Scheufele. The collection is inspired by the landscapes, colors and treasures of Africa. In the photo model in the color of pink quartz. Silk. Badawi outdoor seats are inspired by the traditions of nomads, and the Legends of Carpet collection of carpets is inspired by Africa’s landscapes, colors and treasures. Models of 2018. Interior solution from Walter Knoll 2018. Ishino little tables, design by Dai Sugasawa. The prototype was sea pebbles polished by wind and water. Copper, bronze, brass. Model 2018.

In 2108, the company pleased its fans with new interesting developments. Inspiration gave the traditions of oriental cultures and nature. New names in the portfolio. Turkish architect Neptune Ozis presented a sculptural table in solid wood, the Japanese Dai Sugasawa - tables of micro-concrete with a metallized surface similar to sea pebbles. The Italian architect Mauro Lipparini, creating the chair Onsa, was inspired by Japan - a country with which he has a long-standing spiritual connection. Pure Chinese silk carpets, Badavi floor cushions inspired by nomadic lifestyle, added to the Legends of Carpets collection, and a new line of iconic cushioned furniture was enriched with 375. The EOOS bureau introduced the Bundle sofa - an ingenious interpretation of soft furniture.

The Badawi outdoor seats are inspired by nomadic traditions and are addressed to modern nomads. The outdoor seats and stools of Badawi are inspired by the traditions of nomads and are addressed to modern nomads. Model 2018. The outdoor seats and stools of Badawi are inspired by the traditions of nomads and are addressed to modern nomads. Model 2018. Table Moualla, diz. Neptune Osis. Model 2018. Solid oak or walnut. The idea of ​​the model is in refined simplicity. The author dedicated it to the Turkish artist Fikret Moualle (1903-1967).

Like all leading companies, Walter Knoll proclaims environmental friendliness and sustainable development as priorities. In particular, her furniture supports LEED and Global Green Tag building green building certificates. Of course, in the production of economical use of electricity and water resources, using proven materials. However, an equally important indicator of the environmental performance of furniture is its durability, both physical and aesthetic. Furniture Walter Knoll lives long, not outdated. As part of the Classic Edition, the company releases its iconic models, first seen in the fifties, sixties, seventies. And they remain bestsellers.

Ishino little tables, design by Dai Sugasawa. The prototype was sea pebbles polished by wind and water. Copper, bronze, brass. Model 2018. Ishino little tables, design by Dai Sugasawa. The prototype was sea pebbles polished by wind and water. Copper, bronze, brass. Model 2018. Call carpet Legends of Carpets, diz. Helmut Scheufele. Hand-woven of silk by artisans in Nepal. The new building of Walter Knoll is organically combined with the old factory architecture.