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.
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
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
$2,844Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.14 in W 70.87 in D 25.6 in
Mid-Century Modern C683 Sofa by Kho Liang Le for Artifort, 1960s
By Artifort, Kho Liang Ie
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Wonderful Mid-Century Modern C683 sofa or bench. Design by Kho Liang Le for Artifort. Striking Dutch design from the 1960s. Re-upholstered with blue Manchester corduroy fabric. Origi...
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
$7,111
H 39.38 in W 74.81 in D 33.86 in
Large Louis XVI Sofa / Daybed in Rechampi and Gilded Lacquered Wood
Located in BARSAC, FR
Magnificent Louis XVI sofa in the style of the ottomans in gray lacquered wood and green, blue and gold rechampi with rich carved decoration of scrolls, wrapped foliage, resting on f...
Wood
$3,800
H 27.56 in W 37.6 in D 76.97 in
Daybed 'Arielle' by Dick Cordemeijer for Auping 1954, New Upholstery
By Auping, Dick Cordemeijer
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
The Arielle daybed is often misattributed to Wim Rietveld but is actually by the hand of Dick Cordemeijer who started at Auping in 1953 and was responsible for their famous 'Cleopatr...
Metal, Steel
$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
$13,258
H 15.75 in W 76.78 in D 36.23 in
De Sede Daybed DS 80 Patchwork Nut Brown Aniline Leather Wood Frame 1969
By De Sede
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Vintage DS 80 daybed launched and designed by Swiss De Sede in 1969 It's upholstered with the original high end quality soft aniline nut brown leather. The patchwork pieces are sust...
Leather, Wood
$19,188Sale 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
$4,640Sale Price|20% Off
H 30 in W 77 in D 34 in
Danish Mid-Century Modern Daybed Sofa by Hans Wegner for Getma
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in New York, NY
Iconic Danish Mid-Century Modern daybed, sofa - model GE- 258 designed by Hans Wegner for Getma. This example is in very good, estate condition, specifically the fabric shows wear, s...
Upholstery, Teak
Tito Agnoli for Cinova Daybed Sofa in Red Upholstery
By Tito Agnoli
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Tito Agnoli for Cinova, sofa or daybed model 711, red leatherette, steel, laminated wood, Italy, 1968. Cubic sofa that can be transformed into a daybed by Italian designer Tito Agno...
Steel
Poul Volther Daybed Model Diva 981 for Gemla, Sweden
By Poul Volther, Gemla
Located in Dronten, NL
Very nice sophisticated daybed sofa Model 981 designed by Poul Volther, manufactured by Gemla, Denmark, circa 1960. This sofa is nicknamed 'Diva' and features a sophisticated solid o...
Wool, Oak
Hans Wegner GE6 Daybed Sofa for GETAMA
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Low sofa with lifting backrest to open to a daybed. Designed by Hans Wegner with simple mid-century lines and construction. Please confirm location.
Fabric
$10,800
H 27 in W 89 in D 38 in
Arflex Marenco 1 Arm 2-Seater Sofa by Mario Marenco, Newly Reupholstered
By Mario Marenco, Arflex
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
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 & Tjerk Reijenga Lounge Sofa Pilastro, 1965
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Pilastro, Tjerk Reijenga, Friso Kramer
Located in Etten-Leur, NL
Very nice industrial lounge sofa designed by a duo of industrial designers. The sofa was designed by Tjerk Reijenga for Pilastro 1965, the seating structure was designed by Friso Kra...
Metal
Sold
H 30.5 in W 68.5 in D 29.5 in
Midcentury 3-Seat Sofa by Friso Kramer and Tjerk Reijenga for Pilastro
By Pilastro, Tjerk Reijenga, Friso Kramer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Midcentury 3-seat sofa by Friso Kramer and Tjerk Reijenga for Pilastro. Newly Upholstered in bone white fabric. Sofa frame in original condition with some signs of wear including som...
Metal