Early Easy Lounge chair by Warren Platner for Knoll.
This iconic lounge chair by Warren Platner is created by welding curved steel rods to circular and semi-circular frames, simultaneously serving as structure and ornament.
It was Platner who suggested to make a range of furniture for Knoll that made use of this bent steel as a material. The process to develop this line was however difficult as it took a long time to develop the technical necessities to align the large number of wires.
In the beginning the opinion on the new Platner-Knoll line were divided as some critics thought the decorative nature of the designs was prominent. However, over time, it was proven that the design of this range was a technical, visual and critical succes. It is interesting to point out that this set is very different from the other famous bent steel furniture range of Bertoia. Platner’s range began with a sense of need for ‘decorative, gentle, graceful’ designs comparable to those of the time of Louis XV, but having a more rational base.
Bertoia’s range on the other hand was much more conceptual and was focussed on the strength of space division. Warren Platner (1919-2006) was originally trained as an architect and studied at Cornell University. Although Platner made notable architectural contributions throughout his career, it was his furniture collection for Knoll that earned Platner worldwide renown.
Originally introduced by Knoll in 1966, the Platner collection is an icon of modern furniture. In his early years Platner worked for the architect Eero Saarinen. Platner is famous for his refined and theatrical designs, and he did not shy away for color.
