Florence Knoll facts for kids

Florence Marguerite Knoll Bassett (née Schust; May 24, 1917 – January 25, 2019) was an American architect and furniture designer who studied under Mies van der Rohe and Eliel Saarinen. She was born Florence Schust in Saginaw, Michigan, and was known in familiar circles as "Shu".

Knoll felt architects should contribute their design ability to furniture as well. Some of these furniture designs would become design icons of the 20th century and have remained in the Knoll line for decades due to their timeless design.

Knoll's most famous creations are the Connecticut General Life Insurance Company Headquarters building in Bloomfield, Connecticut and the interior of the CBS Building in New York City.

Images for kids

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  Florence Knoll Paste-up

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  Eero Saarinen's Womb Chair was designed in 1947-1948 at the request of Florence Knoll.

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  Knoll had Bertoia translate his sculptural work into furniture, resulting in his wire chairs.

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  Mies van der Rohe formally granted Knoll the production rights to the Barcelona Chair and Stool in 1953.

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  In 1956, Knoll introduced Eero Saarinen's tulip chairs and pedestal table.