Through both his bold furniture designs and his teaching and administrative positions within the architecture and design industries, the solution-oriented Friso Kramer helped elevate industrial design to a venerated place in the modernist canon.
While the mid-century years saw no shortage of function-minded modernists, Kramer may have been the most extreme of them. “If form does not contribute to the function, it has no right to exist,” the Dutch designer once said. Born in Amsterdam in 1922 to the pioneering architect Piet Kramer, Friso studied architecture, industrial design, electrical engineering and interior design. He cut his teeth in the studios of architect Jan Piet Kloos and interior designer Frans Paulussen, then, in 1948, went to work as a designer at the steel furniture manufacturer De Cirkel (part of the Ahrend group), where he would design some of his best-known work.
The 1953 Revolt chair, which is among his most celebrated seating and a darling of Dutch mid-century modernism, embodied Kramer’s function-first design; its skeletal, industrial form provides for maximum comfort and ergonomic support with minimal material. He joined forces with Wim Rietveld, son of celebrated Dutch modernist Gerrit Rietveld, for the 1958 Result chair, which married elements of the Revolt with forms from Rietveld’s Pyramid series. Kramer found numerous ways to riff on and perfect his brand of minimalism: The 1960 Resort and Repose armchairs demonstrate how he slightly tweaked the skeletal frames for different postures and uses.
In 1963, Kramer left Ahrend to found Total Design Studio with Wim Crouwel, Benno Wissing and Paul and Dick Schwartz. The firm grouped graphic, industrial and spatial design under one roof with the shared belief in functionalism. Though Total Design Studio is still in business today, Kramer left the company to return to Ahrend in 1971, serving as art director until 1983. Following Kramer’s death in 2019, Ahrend teamed up with Danish design brand HAY to relaunch the Result and Revolt chairs.
Find vintage Friso Kramer chairs, sofas, tables and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Reupholstered 3-Seater Sofa by Tjerk Reijenga and Friso Kramer for Pilastro
By Tjerk Reijenga, Pilastro, Friso Kramer
Located in Steenwijk, NL
This rare 3-seater sofa is a combination of designs by Tjerk Reijenga and Friso Kramer, produced by Pilastro in 1965. The seat was designed by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel 1959 ...
Metal
$2,400
H 36.23 in W 59.06 in D 20.48 in
Danish Modern, Sculptural Three Seater Sofa / Bench, Made by Hans Dau, 1950s
By Charles Dudouyt
Located in Odense, DK
A lovely romantic Baroque style three seater sofa with cushions covered in vintage fabric. Made in solid oak. Handcrafted by Danish cabinetmaker Hans Dau in the 1950s. The overall im...
Fabric, Oak
$14,189
H 28.75 in W 66.93 in D 35.44 in
Le Bambole 2-Seat Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1970s, reupholstered
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Berlin, DE
The Bambole series stands as one of the defining statements of Italian design in the 1970s—an object that treats seating not as a frame with padding, but as a continuous upholstered...
Leather
$18,903Sale Price|20% Off
H 24.81 in W 96.46 in D 26.38 in
Reupholstered 932 3-seater sofa by Mario Bellini for Cassina, Italy - 1960s
By Mario Bellini
Located in Berlin, DE
Reupholstered 932 3-seater sofa by Mario Bellini for Cassina. Designed 1964, price on request.
Leather
Postmodern Italian 1980s Sofa, Two-Seat
By Memphis Milano
Located in Antwerp, BE
Vintage 1980s Postmodern two-seat sofa. Sculpted beech frame with aluminum accents. Original warm yellow cream leather cushions. Very good condition, comfortable seat. Dimensions: 1...
Leather, Plywood
$2,680
H 26.75 in W 80 in D 27 in
Bruce Hannah and Andrew Morrison for Knoll Sling Settee Sofa Design, 1970s
By Bruce Hannah & Andrew Morrison, Knoll
Located in Buffalo, NY
Iconic Knoll sling bench designed by Hannah Morrison, black coated aluminum frame with grey wool upholstery. Some small marks on the frame but in otherwis...
Aluminum, Steel
$10,800
H 27 in W 89 in D 38 in
Arflex Marenco 1 Arm 2-Seater Sofa by Mario Marenco, Newly Reupholstered
By Arflex, Mario Marenco
Located in Toronto, CA
Originally designed by Mario Marenco in 1970, the namesake sofa has reached cult status. The unique rounded design and the wide modularity still make the Marenco sofa a must of conte...
Velvet
Reupholstered Walnut Sofa by H. Brockmann Petersen for Randers
By H. Brockmann-Petersen, Randers Møbelfabrik
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Blurring the lines between furniture and sculpture, this exceptional carved walnut sofa exemplifies classic mid-century Scandinavian craftsmanship. Designed by H. Brockmann Petersen ...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Hardwood, Walnut
$628
H 24.81 in W 49.22 in D 15.75 in
Bench Seat Sofa Model "Pankassa" Design Denis Santachiara for Magis, 2000s
By Denis Santachiara, Magis
Located in taranto, IT
bench sofa container, "pankassa" model, Magis production based on a design by denis santachiara, 2003 made of hard gray plastic, which can be opened completely, measures 125 cm in...
Plastic
Two-Seat Triennale Sofa, Marco Zanuso, Arflex, Italy, 1950s
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in Wolfurt, AT
This two-seater "Triennale" sofa was designed by Marco Zanuso in the 1950s and manufactured by Arflex in Italy. The upholstery is covered in pink velvet fabric, which shows slight si...
Brass
$492
H 19.89 in Dm 12.6 in
1966, Tjerk Reijenga for Tomado / Pilastro, Zwanenburg, Holland, Stool in Black
By Tomado, Pilastro, Tjerk Reijenga
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
Pilastro, Tjerk Reijenga vintage sixties stool. Sculptural metal wire base and plate metal seat. Designed in 1966 by Tjerk Reijenga for Pilastro, Zwanenburg – Holland. Tjerk Reijenga...
Metal
Military Canvas and Antique Brass Two-Seat Sofa and Bench
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Slightly smaller in size, the two-seat sofa is ideal for apartments or smaller spaces requiring a smaller footprint. The inheritance bench is a versatile piece that can be used as a ...
Steel
Extra Long Mid Century Modular 6-Seat Sofa
By Lewittes Furniture Enterprises
Located in New York, NY
Unusual sectional, or modular, sofa having 6 distinct chair sections, which can be hooked together to form one very long sofa (143 inch) or used in s...
Upholstery, Oak
Friso Kramer Wilkhahn Bench Germany, 1972
By Friso Kramer, Wilkhahn
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
This is a famous bench for ones wh visited the Olympics in Munich, Germany 1972. This bench was from the 2 seater model 1200 program designed by Friso Kramer in 1967 and manufacturee...
Aluminum
Friso Kramer Bench '1200 Series' for Wilkhahn
By Friso Kramer, Wilkhahn
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Rare Friso Kramer Bench 1200 series two-seat. Produced by Wilkhahn Germany and well known due usage in public spaces at the Olympic Games Munich 197...
Aluminum
Friso Kramer "Facet" Bench with Side Table
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Friso Kramer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel Chair/Table Combination in New Saffron Yellow Fabric. Chrome Frame with Formica Table Top. "Ahrend" Carved in Frame. Frame in Original Condition wit...
Chrome
Friso Kramer 120/2 Bench System for Wilkhahn
By Friso Kramer, Wilkhahn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Polished aluminum two-seat bench with fiberglass seat back and new blue upholstery. This famous bench system was designed by the Dutch designer Friso Kramer but manufactured by Wilkh...
Aluminum
Friso Kramer for Wilkhahn Two-Seater Bench
By Friso Kramer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Polished Aluminum Two-Seater Bench with Original Brown Upholstery. This Famous Bench System was Designed by the Dutch Designer Friso Kramer but Manufactured by Wilkhahn (Germany) and...
Aluminum
Friso Kramer double bench Wilkhahn made in fibre 1967
By Friso Kramer
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Here for a very nice and rare outdoor bench designed by Modernist top designer Friso Kramer for Wilkhahn Germany, 1967. These benches were used for the Olympic games in Munich 1972. ...
Aluminum