On 17th April Knoll celebrated its 70 years of "Good Design is Good Business" with an exclusive evening at the Milan Showroom. The event was held during Salone week, and attracted A&D communities from all over the world.

The guests at the event witnessed the launch of new collections by well known architects and designers, along with the introduction of new products and finishes for existing collections.

New Collections

Preview  Ross Lovegrove Collection
Known for his ability to anticipate trends and for his use of innovative materials and organic forms, the Ross Lovegrove has created a radical new collection for KnollStudio
 
The collection includes tables, desks, coffee table, credenzas and pedestals.

Tables and desks.
At the heart of the new collection is a commitment to the environment and sustainability.  The frames are produced from 90% recycled steel which fold flat for shipping to spare transporting ?boxes of air?.  New and interesting materials are explored for the table tops.  Panelit?e is one of the top options, a coloured honeycomb material that is produced from 85% post consumer recycled plastic that cast a glow over the high gloss under structure.  Other options include tops produced from a fast growing bamboo which provide a low cost sustainable alternative to traditional wood veneers.

The collection includes a range of circular and rectangular tables and table desks alongside low level pedestals and credenzas.

Table Desks
Lovegrove tables are constructed in varying sizes and shapes with a range of edge details and finish options. Table top options reflect the designer's vast knowledge of materials, which include honeycomb Panelite? tops in varying colors, bamboo, laminate, marble and glass. Lovegrove's signature tubular steel base designs in a variety of shapes and colors reflect the spirit of Modernist design. Versatile in scope, table desks can be specified to suit a variety of contract and residential applications.

Tri-Oval Low Tables
Symbolic of Lovegrove's passion for organic, fluid design, the tri-oval coffee table employs a gracefully-curved, single piece of tubular steel. Tri-oval tables can be used as coffee tables or as pull-up low surfaces next to executive table desks. These tables are available in a variety of base and top finishes.

Credenzas
The elegant radius-cut corners of the Lovegrove credenzas demonstrate the designer's affinity for fluid designs that are both aesthetically pleasing and practical in application. Available in a wide variety of finishes, these credenzas are an ideal companion to the Lovegrove table desks, either in a corporate setting or as stand-alone units in residential applications.

Shelton, Mindel & Associates Collection.

Recognised by The Architectural Digest as being one of the leading architectural practices of the 20th century, Shelton Mindel and Associates are renowned for the elegant and modernist approach to their work.

Good friends of Charles Pfister who designed the Pfister Sofa for Knoll in 1971, Peter Shelton and Lee Mindel created a collection in the Knoll tradition that supports rather fights than the architecture of a building with more than a passing nod to the design produced by their old friend, with a simple sofa that appears to float above the floor.

The armchair and sofas take further influences from other Knoll pieces with upholstery details deliberately borrowed from The Brno Chair designed by Mies.  Mies felt that if design details were reduced to an absolute minimum then the quality of materials used had to be the very best available.

The Shelton Mindel sofa collection provides large slab sides where Knoll felt that a flat finished leather would be lifeless and not in the spirit of Mies? work, so true to form they worked with the leather company Spinneybeck to design a new leather for the collection, creating a stunning naked leather called Copenhagen that provides an incredible depth of colour

The sofas are available in fabric or leather with feet in oak, black stained oak or Walnut.

The side and coffee table collection takes influences from both Mies and Breuer with a continuous ?L? section stainless steel frame providing the base for a floating glass top.  The table is available in the following sizes: 61x 61 x 45cm high, 106 x 61 x 36cm high and 122 x 76 x 45cm high.

Introducing eight KnollTextiles Collections

KnollTextiles officially launched its first collection on 26th February 1947 in a newly designed showroom on East 65th in New York.

KnollTextiles was the first furniture company in the U.S.A. to bring the production of furniture and fabrics together.  According to Florence Knoll the birth of KnollTextiles was dictated by the ?necessity?, derived by the lack of ?suitable fabrics available in the post-war period.(..) It became apparent that suitable textiles for her furniture were not available ? The current vogue in the showrooms was brocade and chintz with cabbage roses. I began to use fabrics from British tailors?. More than 60 years later KnollTextiles mission is still the same. With its colours and textures the line highlights the purity and strength of Knoll products, going beyond the simple function of upholstering.

New products for existing collections

Platner Collection: Bronze finish
Before he died in 2007 Warren Platner decided what additional colour that he would like to use on his collection.  A dark bronze finish was added to the collection in early 2008 which transforms the range.  All the tables a chairs are now available in bronze and bronze glass a marble has been added as a top finish to the tables (Marble not available on dining height version).

Saarinen Collection: Platinum finish
As part of the celebration of 50 years of The Saarinen Tulip collection, a soft Platinum finish has been added to the table bases and chairs.

All tables delivered before 1st August 2008 will have a 50 Year Anniversay placque attached to the underside of the table tops.

Womb Chair
The womb chair is now available in 2 new sizes.  A smaller adult version 85% scale and a child version 75% scale.  These are available for immediate ordering.