DESIGN ROOTS
Why Florence Knoll Made No Compromises When it Came to Design
Now more than ever, as the relationship between our homes and workplaces continue to evolve—and rapidly so—the ways we work together are changing, too. No Compromise by Ana Araujo, an architect, teacher and researcher, “whose mission is to amplify the role of women and the presence of a feminine sensibility in the creative fields,” explores Florence Knoll’s impact on the workplace and how the workplace contributes to who we are as individuals.
Araujo leads a design studio at the Architectural Association in London—and has studied Knoll’s pioneering two-decade career, beginning in 1945 with Knoll Associates and culminating in her position as Knoll International design director. Araujo's book examines how Florence Knoll invented the visual language of the modern office.
Araujo focuses on Florence Knoll’s groundbreaking interiors and creation of the “Knoll look,” which remains a standard for interior design today. Citing Knoll’s motto "no compromise, ever," Araujo contends that as a woman in a white, upper-middle-class, male-dominated environment, Knoll often had to make accommodations to gain respect from her colleagues, clients and collaborators.
No Compromise simultaneously celebrates Florence Knoll for reinvigorating the International Style through humanizing furniture, textiles, lighting and accessories, and contextualizes a moment to reflect on the future of the workplace.
