Knoll

Featured in nearly every Florence Knoll interior, the Saarinen Executive Chair remains one of the most popular Knoll designs. Upon its introduction in 1950, the chair transformed the notion of what executive seating could be with its fluid, sculptural form and modern finishing. The timeless and versatile design continues to fit seamlessly into work, conference, lounge, and dining applications.

Saarinen Dining Table Saarinen Executive Chair

Seeking comfort

After winning the Museum of Modern Art Organic Design Competition with Charles Eames in 1941, Eero Saarinen continued exploring the possibilities of a chair that achieved comfort through the shape of its shell. In 1946 he completed the Womb Chair, designed at Florence Knoll’s request for a chair she could curl up in. Saarinen then turned his focus to task seating, scaling down the concept and form of the Womb Chair into arm and armless chairs. Introduced as the 71 and 72 Series, the Saarinen Executive Chairs—known as Saarinen Conference Chairs in some markets—replaced Florence Knoll’s model 43 chairs as the Knoll Planning Unit’s go-to seating solution. The iconic chair, often referred to as “that chair with the hole in the back,” has been a staple of the Knoll portfolio since 1950.

Eero Saarinen

Born to world famous architect and Cranbrook Academy of Art Director Eliel Saarinen and textile artist Loja Saarinen, Eero Saarinen was surrounded by design his whole life. After meeting Florence Knoll at Cranbrook, Saarinen went on to design many of Knoll's most recognizable pieces, including the Tulip collection, the Womb chair, and the 70 Series of seating. In addition to these achievements, Saarinen became a leader of the second-generation modernists.

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