Platner Chair, circa 1978
The Platner Chair by Warren Platner for Knoll, 1966
The Platner Chair, a quintessential piece from Warren Platner's 1966 Collection for Knoll, epitomizes the fusion of "decorative, gentle, graceful" elements into modern design. This armchair, versatile as both a dining and guest chair, is distinguished by its unique construction technique: welding curved steel rods to circular and semi-circular frames, which provides both structural integrity and ornamental value.
Warren Platner, a Cornell University graduate (Class of 1941) in architecture, honed his skills under architectural giants like Raymond Loewy, Eero Saarinen, and I. M. Pei, before establishing his practice. While Platner made significant architectural contributions, including the Georg Jensen Design Center and the Windows on the World restaurant in New York's World Trade Center, his furniture collection for Knoll brought him global acclaim.
Each chair in the Platner Collection, a modern furniture icon, embodies a complex production process envisioned by Platner himself. With over a thousand welds and a hundred cylindrical steel rods, the intricate craftsmanship is a testament to Platner's attention to detail. The collection, which includes an executive private office range, showcases the elegance of simplicity juxtaposed with complex construction. The chairs, now available in various base and upholstery options, are designed to look as striking with a person seated as they do on their own, subtly enhancing a space without overwhelming it.
Platner believed in the visual importance of a chair, stating, “It is important that if you design a chair, you produce something that enhances the person in it,” highlighting the challenge of designing chairs that are visually appealing yet functional. His Platner Chair is a testament to this philosophy, blending functionality with a visually engaging design that has stood the test of time.
Dimensions: 26.5 x 22 x 28.75 h in