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.
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
pair Ahrend de Cirkel Stools Design Friso Kramer 1950s Holland
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Den Haag, NL
very nice set of Industrial Stools . repainted . looking great . 1950s Holland .indestructible Design by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel
Metal
Set of Two Mustard Yellow Stools, Europe, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Stools from the turn of the 1960s and 1970s. Beautiful mustard velor upholstery. The stools consists of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, characteristi...
Velvet, Wood
Set of 2 White EMSA Stool, Germany, 1960s
By Emsa Germany
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Space Age style plastic stool was made in Germany by EMSA around the 1960s-1970s. The futuristic shape is tapered and aerodynamic, with a tulip foot and an off-white color. This orig...
Plastic
Set of Three Italian Brass Chiavari Round Stools
By Fratelli Levaggi/Guiseppe Gaetano Descalzi
Located in Hanover, MA
Extremely rare set of three round brass Chiavari stools, made in Italy, circa 1960. Four legs with flared tapered legs around an upper and lower brass ring. Fitted round seat upholst...
Brass
Set of Two Camel Boucle Vintage Stools, Edmund Homa, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Stools from the turn of the 1960s. The stools consist of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, characteristic of the 1960s style. Stools were designed b...
Fabric
$4,440 / 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 Ahrend de Cirkel, Friso Kramer
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
Levantine Mother of Pearl Inlaid Stools, Set of Four
Located in El Monte, CA
A set of four levantine mother of pearl inlay stools with carved wooden sides and legs. Curved seat frame on four turned legs united by stret...
Mother-of-Pearl, Rope, Wood
$4,676 / set
H 30.32 in W 17.72 in D 19.69 in
Friso Kramer Revolt chairs wood for Ahrend de Cirkel, 1963
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
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
Set of Two Petrol Blue Vintage Stools, Edmund Homa, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Stools from the turn of the 1960s. Beautiful petrol blue high quality velvet upholstery. The stools consists of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, chara...
Fabric
$1,348Sale Price / set|26% Off
H 41.34 in W 21.26 in D 21.26 in
Contemporary set of 2 stools by Studio Tecnico Interna8, Wood Fabric
By Interna8
Located in Pordenone, IT
Stool in solid beech wood. Seat with webbing and plywood frame padded with elastic expanded polyurethane. This listing is for 2 stools.
Wood
Set of Two Light Beige Stools, Europe, 1960s
By Rajmund Hałas
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Stools from the turn of the 1960s and 1970s. Beautiful light beige upholstery. The stools consists of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, characteristic ...
Fabric, Velvet, Wood
$592 / set
H 15.75 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
Set of Two Mid Century Baby Pink Velvet Stools, Europe, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Stools from the turn of the 1960s and 1970s. Beautiful baby pink upholstery. The stool consists of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, characteristic of ...
Velvet, Beech
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
Sold
H 23.23 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
1960's Industrial Design Atelier Stool by Friso Kramer for Ahrend De Cirkel
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Friso Kramer
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Dutch Industrial Design Atelier Stool by Friso Kramer for Ahrend De Cirkel. Made in the Netherlands, 1950's / 60's period. Adjustable in height. Grey lacquered steel base wit...
Steel
Friso Kramer Height Adjustable Drafting Stool with Footrest
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Friso Kramer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Original Friso Kramer drafting stool with Birch seat. Both the seat and the foot rest are height adjustable. In original condition with visible patina including some enamel wear and ...
Steel
Industrial Design Friso Kramer Drawing, Architect Stool Ahrend de Cirkel
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Friso Kramer
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Industrial design drawing stool / studio stool designed by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel. Matches perfectly with the reply drawing tabl...
Steel
Friso Kramer Stool Ahrend de Cirkel, the Netherlands, 1960
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Friso Kramer
Located in Etten-Leur, NL
Very nice industrial stool designed by Friso Kramer and manufactured by Ahrend de Cirkel, The Netherlands 1960. It has a light grey lacquered metal frame with a plywood seat. The sto...
Metal
4 drafting stools by friso kramer for arend de cirkel
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
4 drafting stools by friso kramer for arend de cirkel
Steel
Sold
H 38.19 in W 15.36 in D 20.28 in
4 Matching Black Drafting Working Stools by Friso Kramer, Ahrend De Cirkel, 1960
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
IMPORTANT NOTE: PRICE LISTED IS FOR THE SET OF 4 ONLY TO BE SOLD AS A SET! A hard to find matching set of 4 drafting and swivelling University working stools...
Metal
Friso Kramer Stools Ahrend de Cirkel, the Netherlands, 1960
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Friso Kramer
Located in Etten-Leur, NL
Very nice Industrial stools designed by Friso Kramer and manufactured by Ahrend de Cirkel, the Netherlands, 1960. We have several models of these stools in stock. All of them have a ...
Metal
Industrial Design Friso Kramer Drawing, Architect Stool Ahrend de Cirkel
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Friso Kramer
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Industrial design drawing stool / studio stool designed by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel. Matches perfectly with the reply drawing tabl...
Steel
Friso Kramer Adjustable Drafting Stool
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Friso Kramer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Backless drafting stool by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel, plywood seat with small pedestal base. Adjustable height with original knob. Visible wear to the enamel and plywood. In ...
Metal
Friso Kramer Industrial Stools for Ahrend de Cirkel, Netherlands
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Friso Kramer
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Functional and Industrial stools by Friso Kramer. The stools are adjustable in height (± 45-65 cm) and swivel. Good vintage condition with black enameled steel bases and oak seats. S...
Steel
Sold
H 18.9 in W 20.87 in D 20.87 in
Friso Kramer Industrial Stools for Ahrend de Cirkel, Netherlands for Magda
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Friso Kramer
Located in Amsterdam, NL
2x Friso Kramer stool for Magda. The stools are adjustable in height (± 70 cm / 28") and swivel. New powder coating Black RAL 9005 (mate).
Steel
Set of Six Friso Kramer Adjustable Height Industrial Stools
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Antwerp, BE
Beautiful rare set of six enameled metal tube and beech seat drafting stools. Adjustable height, foot rests and pedestal base with wide spread feet. All good original condition wi...
Metal