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.
Pair of Friso Kramer 'Repose' Leather Lounge Chairs Ahrend de Cirkel, 1960
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Note: These chairs are currently part of the "From the Guggenheim Museum to the Cobra Museum" exhibition in Amstelveen. A very comfortable easy chair by Friso Kramer designed in 1...
Metal, Sheet Metal
Friso Kramer Repose Chair Ahrend de Cirkel Holland 1959
By Friso Kramer
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Nice industrial 'Repose' easy chair designed by Friso Kramer and manufactured by Ahrend de Cirkel, Holland 1959. The chair has a very nice compass shaped frame with metal structure, ...
Metal
Friso Kramer "Repose" Armchair in Shades of Gray with New Upholstery, 1960
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Amazing Mid-Century "Repose" lounge chair by Dutch design great Friso Kramer. Chair is outfitted with an enameled metal frame, matching Skai arms and is newly upholstered in grey fa...
Metal
Model 'Repose' Armchair by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel, Netherlands, 1965
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Friso Kramer
Located in Steenwijk, NL
This is a great find as this chair is in a very good and original condition. Some signs of age that endorse the Industrial Design. These signs are mainly some paint loss to edges due...
Metal
1969 Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel Repose Lounge Armchair Green Upholstery
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Friso Kramer
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
This item is part of the private collection of Casey Godrie and is situated in his private house. Ask him for competitive shipping quotes. His incredible Dune Villa, Amsterdam Beach...
Metal
$2,884 / set
H 29.14 in W 19.69 in D 11.82 in
Set of Six Adjustable Architect Stools Designed by Friso Kramer
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Antwerp, BE
Adjustable and swivel Industrial architect stools with seats are made in plywood, the base in gray lacquered metal.-The height is adjustable from 55 cm...
Metal
$1,850
H 15.5 in W 29.25 in D 76.25 in
Friso Kramer Couchette Daybed for Auping, Enameled Metal & Wood, 1965
By Friso Kramer, Auping
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Friso Kramer 'Couchette' daybed for Auping, 1965. Frame is original condition, mattress and cushions newly upholstered. Frame has visible wear, consi...
Metal
$4,506 / set
H 31.89 in W 17.72 in D 19.69 in
Set of 6 Revolt Chairs by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel, Netherlands, 1956
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Steenwijk, NL
The 'Revolt' chair was designed by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel. An award winning design that has become an icon of Dutch industrial design from the 1950's. This solid chair has...
Metal
$4,746 / set
H 30.32 in W 17.72 in D 19.69 in
Friso Kramer Revolt chairs wood for Ahrend de Cirkel, 1963
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Friso Kramer
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Super nice set of eight revolt dining chairs designed by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel, Holland, 1953. Though the Revolt chair was already designed in 1953, the production starte...
Metal
$7,209
H 24.81 in W 33.08 in D 26.78 in
Pierre Paulin Model F598 Groovy Armchair for Artifort Netherlands, 1972
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in ŁÓDŹ, PL
Fantastic F598 armchair, also called Groovy, by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, Netherlands 1972. This sculptural armchair has been recently reupholstered with lovely and high quality Pierre Frey wool and alpaca blend fabric from Paris, France. Like all iconic...
Metal
Friso Kramer Revolt Chairs for Ahrend de Cirkel 1963
By Friso Kramer
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Super nice and scarce set 6 Revolt chairs designed by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel, Holland 1953. Though the Revolt chair was already designed in 1953, the production started in...
Metal
$901
H 31.89 in W 22.05 in D 19.69 in
'Revolt' Chair by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel, the Netherlands, 1953
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Steenwijk, NL
The 'Revolt' chair was designed by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel. An award winning design that has become an icon of Dutch industrial design from the 1950s. The chair has a folde...
Metal
Industrial Stool Attributed to Friso Kramer
By Friso Kramer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The stool features a sturdy metal frame in a sleek and minimalist design, typical of mid-century industrial furniture. The swivel mechanism allows for easy movement and adjustability...
Metal
$3,905 / set
H 32.29 in W 17.72 in D 19.69 in
Friso Kramer Revolt chairs Ahrend duo tone Netherlands 1953
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Friso Kramer
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
This set of four rare duo-tone Revolt chairs, designed by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel in Holland in 1953, is a fine example of Dutch industrial design. Although the Revolt chai...
Metal
Pair of Faux Bamboo Lounge Chairs New Upholstery
By Paul Frankl
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of very sharp looking Mid-Century Modern lounge chairs with new upholstery.
$1,682 / set
H 32.09 in W 18.31 in D 16.74 in
Set of 4 Mid-Century Modern Chairs "Revolt" by Friso Kramer for Ahrend
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Friso Kramer
Located in Doornspijk, NL
The Revolt chair was designed by Friso Kramer in 1953 and has since become an icon of Dutch Design. The chairs used to be omnipresent in government buildings and universities. Nowada...
Steel
$9,854 / set
H 23.23 in W 28.35 in D 25.99 in
Model 4801 Armchairs by Joe Colombo for Kartell, 1960s, set of 2
By Kartell, Joe Colombo
Located in bruxelles, BE
Set of 2 white wooden armchairs designed by Joe Colombo, Model 4801. Numbered 16. Seat height 34cm. Wear due to time and age.
Wood
Friso Kramer Repose Chairs Pair Ahrend de Cirkel, 1959
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Friso Kramer
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Nice pair of so called 'Repose' easy chairs designed by Friso Kramer and manufactured by Ahrend de Cirkel, Holland 1959. These chairs have a very nice compass shaped frame with metal...
Metal
Friso Kramer Repose chairs Ahrend de Cirkel, 1959
By Friso Kramer
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Important pair of modernist easy chairs model Repose, designed by Friso Kramer and manufactured by Ahrend de Cirkel, Holland 1959. The chairs have a very nice v shaped black painted ...
Metal
Friso Kramer & Tjerk Reijenga Lounge Chairs Pilastro, 1965
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Pilastro, Tjerk Reijenga, Friso Kramer
Located in Etten-Leur, NL
Very nice pair of industrial lounge chairs designed by a duo of industrial designers. The chair was designed by Tjerk Reijenga for Pilastro 1965, the seating structure was designed b...
Metal
Repose Chairs Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel, 1959
By Friso Kramer
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Important pair of industrial easy chairs model Repose, designed by Friso Kramer and manufactured by Ahrend de Cirkel, Holland 1959. The chairs have a very nice v shaped grey painted ...
Metal
Pair of Friso Kramer 'Result' Armchairs
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Friso Kramer 'Result' armchairs newly upholstered in black velvet with original enameled metal frames and acrylic armrest. Visible wear and scratch on left arm. !Frames are i...
Sheet Metal
Friso Kramer and Tjerk Reijenga Lounge Chair for Pilastro
By Tjerk Reijenga, Pilastro, Friso Kramer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century lounge chair designed by Friso Kramer and Tjerk Reijenga for Pilastro. Upholstered in new bone white fabric. In original condition with visible signs of wear including so...
Metal
Pair of Kramer or Reijenga Cube Chairs
By Tjerk Reijenga, Pilastro, Friso Kramer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Mid-Century Cube Chairs Designed by Friso Kramer and Tjerk Reijenga for Pilastro. Newly Upholstered in Robins Egg Blue Fabric. White Enameled Metal Frames with Brown Formica ...
Metal
Friso Kramer and Tjerk Reijenga Lounge Chairs
By Pilastro, Tjerk Reijenga, Friso Kramer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Mid-Century Cube Chairs Designed by Friso Kramer and Tjerk Reijenga for Pilastro. Newly Upholstered in Orange Sherbet Fabric. White Enameled Metal Frames with Brown Formica A...
Metal
Friso Kramer Repose chairs pair Ahrend de Cirkel, 1959
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Friso Kramer
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Very important pair of industrial easy chairs model Repose. These Repose chairs are designed by our best industrial designer, Friso Kramer for Ahrend de C...
Metal
Friso Kramer & Tjerk Reijenga Lounge Chairs Pilastro, 1965
By Friso Kramer, Tjerk Reijenga
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Very nice pair of Industrial lounge chairs designed by a due of Industrial designers. The chair was designed by Tjerk Reijenga for Pilastro, 1965, the seating structure was designed ...
Metal
Friso Kramer Repose Chair Ahrend de Cirkel, Holland, 1959
By Friso Kramer
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Important Industrial easy chair model Repose. This Repose chair is designed by our best and most important Industrial designer, Friso Kramer for Ahrend de...
Metal
Friso Kramer Repose Lounge Chair for Ahrend De Cirkel, 1966
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Repose chair by Friso Kramer from January 1966. The Repose lounge chair won the prestigious Signe d'Or award when it was presented in 1960. This chair will look and sit best reup...
Metal