Knoll Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe - Krefeld™ Settee

Mies van der Rohe and his longtime collaborator Lilly Reich designed this lounge collection in 1927 for the Esters and Lange residences, designed by Mies, in Krefeld, Germany. A wonderful example of the syntax, skill and diversity of Mies’ work, the collection was originally specified in leather and reveals van der Rohe’s often-overlooked fondness for traditional furniture styles.

Recognizing the timeless appeal of the designs, KnollStudio brought the Krefeld Collection to production for the first time in 2003. Each piece is based on Lilly Reich’s original drawings, found in the Ludwig Mies van der Rohe Archive at the Museum of Modern Art. The introduction of the Krefeld Collection reflects Knoll’s celebration of timeless, enduring design, and underlines our continuing commitment to celebrate the legacy of Mies van der Rohe through his furniture.

Designed in 1927, the Krefeld Collection features the pure composition and sobering simplicity characteristic of all of Mies van der Rohe’s work. The classic detailing, clean lines and exceptional comfort make the Krefeld Collection at home in any décor.

MEASUREMENTS:

• Width: 144.7 cm / 57 inch
• Depth: 68.5 cm / 27 inch
• Height: 76.2 cm / 30 inch
• Seat Height: 43.8 cm / 17.2 inch
• Arm Height: 63.5 cm / 25 inch

MATERIALS:

• Inner frame constructed in engineered hardwood and plywood
• Legs are ash hardwood with 5 available stains
• Legs attach to a metal plate connected to the frame and can be removed

HELPFUL NOTES:

• Seat uses coil-spring suspension for enhanced comfort
• Back uses dynamic suspension for added flexibility and support
• Greenguard Indoor Air Quality Certified®
• The Krefeld collection may be specified with a leather welt option covering all edges and cushions, provided the upholstery is textile. Please contact us to order that option

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe

Germany, 1886 - 1969

Mies van der Rohe began his career in architecture in Berlin, working as an architect first in the studio of Bruno Paul and then, like Le Corbusier and Walter Gropius, for Peter Behrens. In 1928, Mies and his companion and colleague, the designer and Bauhaus alumna Lilly Reich, were asked to design the German Pavilion for the 1929 International Exposition in Barcelona. The purpose of the Pavilion was to provide a location that could be visited by the king and queen of Spain during the opening of the Exposition. With that in mind, Mies designed a modern throne – known today as the Barcelona Chair – for their majesties. In the following year, Mies designed another notable chair, the Brno, with a gravity-defying cantilevered base.

In 1930, Mies succeeded Walter Gropius as the director of the Bauhaus, where he stayed until the school closed in 1933. In 1937, Mies emigrated to the United States, and a year later became the director of architecture at the Illinois Institute of Technology. The rest of his career was devoted to promoting the modernist style of architecture in the U.S., resulting in rigorously modern buildings such as the Farnsworth House and the Seagram Building, designed with Philip Johnson.

The modern city, with its towers of glass and steel, can be at least in part attributed to the influence of architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Equally significant, if smaller in scale, is Mies’ daring furniture designs, pieces that exhibit an unerring sense of proportion, as well as minimalist forms and exquisitely refined details.

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