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Knoll Designer Bios

Charles Gwathmey

A Yale University graduate and Fulbright Scholar with a master’s in architecture, Charles Gwathmey was an icon of contemporary design. Since establishing Gwathmey Siegel & Associates Architects in 1968, he physically changed the American landscape with countless designs over the past three decades. The firm designed the Knoll building on Boston’s historic Newbury Street. The design suited the character of the street in proportion and presence, but offered ingenious modern details making it undeniably Knoll.

After completing the project, Gwathmey and Siegel again collaborated with Knoll to introduce the Gwathmey Siegel Desk and the Derby Desk. Like the showroom, the desks integrate historic proportions and materials with modern details.