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 Modular Shelving System for De Bijenkorf, Asmeta, 1953
By Asmeta, Friso Kramer
Located in Beerse, VAN
Designed by Friso Kramer in 1953, this modular shelving system was manufactured by Asmeta Holland. It was created for the Dutch department store De Bijenkorf, one of the Netherlands’...
Metal
$3,133
H 78.75 in W 64.57 in D 13 in
Poul Cadovius Freestanding Modular Wall Unit System for Royal System, 1960s
By Royal System, Poul Cadovius
Located in The Hague, NL
Original freestanding wall unit designed by Poul Cadovius, model Royal, in the 1960s for Royal System, Denmark. Freestanding wall unit consists 3 black metal uprights, one cabinet an...
Metal
$32,903
H 72.45 in W 63.39 in D 63.39 in
Modular Shelving Unit by Jorge Zalszupin for l'Atelier, Brazil, 1960's
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in Uithoorn, NL
Modular shelving rounded corner unit designed by Jorge Zalszupin in the 1950s, made from Brazilian Rosewood, also known as Jacaranda. The wood displays rich, natural patterns with da...
Wood
$4,477
H 96.86 in W 65.36 in D 18.12 in
Midcentury George Nelson Omni Herman Miller Modular Shelving System Walnut 1950s
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Sherborne, Dorset
This is a rare American ‘Omni’ modular freestanding shelving system in walnut and aluminium, designed by George Nelson in 1952 and manufactured by Herman Miller, America. The shelvi...
Metal, Aluminum
Norwegian Teak Modular Shelving System Mid Century 1960s
By John Texmon
Located in Norwich, England
Stylish mid century Norwegian teak modular system. Circa 1960s. A versatile system that can be configured in different ways: as two separate single bays, as two bays joined together...
Teak, Birch
Modular Freestanding Shelving System, France, 1950s
By Strafor
Located in Antwerp, BE
This rare modular shelving system by Strafor (Forges de Strasbourg) exemplifies post-war French industrial design with its clean lines and functional engineering. Constructed in lacq...
Metal
$2,598
H 106.3 in W 75.99 in D 13.39 in
Richard Neutra Modular Shelving System - Victoria Möbel, Switzerland, 1960’s
By Richard Neutra
Located in Bern, BE
1960’s RICHARD NEUTRA MODULAR SHELVING SYSTEM - VICTORIA MÖBEL (SWITZERLAND). 1960’s Victoria Möbel free standing telescopic shelving system. Designed by Austro-American architect R...
Metal, Steel
$6,776
H 79.53 in W 96.07 in D 22.05 in
Danish Teak 3-Bay Cado Modular Shelving System Poul Cadovius Bookshelf Desk 1960
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
Located in Sherborne, Dorset
A lovely 1960s three-bay Danish teak CADO shelving system designed by Paul Cadovius consisting of 11 shelves, four uprights, plus 22 brackets. These designer shelves are fully modula...
Teak
Danish Vintage Royal Shelving System by Poul Cadovius
By Poul Cadovius, Heal's, Cado
Located in London, GB
An outstanding Danish vintage royal shelving system by Poul Cadovius, made in Denmark by Cado. This dates from the 1960’s and was originally purchased in Heal’s. It is a very versat...
Wood
Olof Pira Modular Teak Shelving System, Sweden, 1950s
By Olof Pira, String Design AB
Located in Rødekro, DK
A refined example of Scandinavian Modern design, this modular shelving system was designed by Olof Pira in Sweden during the 1960s. The system features beautifully grained teak shel...
Stainless Steel
Unavailable|$624 / set
H 30.71 in W 27.17 in D 8.27 in
Tomado modular shelving system Teak 1950s Holland
By Tomado, Adriaan Dekker
Located in Den Haag, NL
Tomado wall shelf from the 50s, it is made up of 2 black metal uprights dyed in the mass and stamped + 3 teak wood shelves with fixings included. The whole is in very good condition ...
Teak
Bruno Mathsson 'Anita' Shelving System, 1970s
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Lacquered steel, birch and beech wood. Measures: height 250 cm Depth 34 cm. Width 145.5 cm.
Steel
Mid-Century Italian Three-Section Teak Shelving System
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Three-section freestanding teak shelving system features four round-section vertical uprights connected by open shelves across all bays, with distinctive circular disc brackets at ea...
Teak
$4,600
H 72.75 in W 11.75 in D 17.5 in
Umbo Modular Shelving Unit by Kay LeRoy Ruggles for Directional
By Kay Leroy Ruggles, Directional
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1970s. USA. Modular shelving unit with gorgeous sun fading.
Plastic
$4,700 / item
H 90 in W 101.5 in D 8 in
Shelving Storage Expandable Wall Unit Modular Custom Bookcase System
By Tim Byrne
Located in Oakville, CT
Custom modular shelving storage bookcase system by Get Back Inc. In the vintage Industrial style. System as shown includes ten 8″ shelves, three beams...
Metal, Steel
$3,190
H 79.93 in W 32.68 in D 19.69 in
Mid Century Teak Shelving System by P. Cadovius - Danish Wall Unit, Royal System
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in München, BY
Dimensions (Width x Depth x Height) ca. 82,5 x 40 / 50 x 203 cm Elevate your living space with this vintage mid-midcentury modern Poul Cadovius Royal System Wall Unit, a true master...
Glass, Teak
Friso Kramer Tricolor Shelf in Metal
By Friso Kramer
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Friso Kramer for 'De Bijenkorf', tricolor shelf, metal, the Netherlands, design 1953 This open shelf has two columns that feature four open cabinets in black and yellow sides. The structure of the shelf is held in a beige color, overall a distinct combination. Friso Kramer designed...
Metal
Friso Kramer Stabilux Cabinets for Ahrend de Cirkel, 1950s
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Friso Kramer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dutch Mid-Century, 1950's, gray enameled metal four compartment storage cabinet module. Designed by Dutch post-war design luminary Friso Kramer as part of the Stabilux line for Ahren...
Metal
Friso Kramer Stabilux Cabinets for Ahrend de Cirkel, 1950s
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Friso Kramer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dutch Mid-Century, 1950's, gray enameled metal four compartment storage cabinet module. Designed by Dutch post-war design luminary Friso Kramer as part of the Stabilux line for Ahren...
Metal
Sold
H 39.5 in W 79.5 in D 10.75 in
Friso Kramer "Stabilux" Two Section Industrial Shelves or Room Divider
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Friso Kramer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century "Stabilux", eggplant and granny apple green, enameled metal two section industrial bookshelf by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel. A stunning color combination and a vers...
Metal
Sold
H 29.5 in W 49.125 in D 23.75 in
Mid-Century Gray Friso Kramer "Result" Teachers Desk for Ahrend de Cirkel
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Friso Kramer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare Friso Kramer "Result" teachers’ desk with a suspended, grey painted wood cabinet with 3 little drawers. The top has a faux linen pattern printed Formica with a plastic trim. The...
Metal
Sold
H 76.78 in W 37.41 in D 10.24 in
Friso Kramer pair of bookcases Bijenkorf Asmeta The Netherlands 1953
By Friso Kramer, Asmeta
Located in Etten-Leur, NL
Very nice pair of bookcases or shelving units designed by Friso Kramer for the Bijenkorf and manufactured by Asmeta, The Netherlands 1953. Martin V...
Metal
Friso Kramer Asmeta bookcases de Bijenkorf Netherlands 1953
By Friso Kramer
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Rare metal bookcase shelving unit designed by Friso Kramer for De Bijenkorf produced by Asmeta in 1953. Martin Visser commissioned Friso Kramer to design a simple usable shelving unit...
Metal
Friso Kramer Euroika Night Cabinets Auping, 1963
By Friso Kramer, Auping
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Very rare and beautiful pair of night cabinets designed by Friso Kramer for Auping, Holland 1963. These cabinets are from the Euroika series designed by Kramer in 1963. The Euroika series had a Bed, bed cabinets, table, chair, mirror and a toilet cabinet...
Metal
Friso Kramer Stabilux Cabinet Ahrend de Cirkel The Netherlands, 1955
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Friso Kramer
Located in Etten-Leur, NL
Industrial and rare Stabilux cabinet designed by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel, The Netherlands 1960. This very nice symmetric cabinet is made of lacquered metal and has several ...
Metal
Sold
H 20.08 in W 13 in D 7.09 in
Dutch Design Mirror Console by Friso Kramer for Auping 1963 Teak Black Glass
By Friso Kramer, Auping
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Elegant vanity mirror designed by Friso Kramer for Auping, Holland, 1963. This mirror is from the Euroika series designed by Kramer in 1963 revolutionary for its time due the unique shape of the curved teak plywood. The Euroika series had a Bed, bed cabinets, table, chair, mirror and a toilet cabinet...
Glass, Teak
Friso Kramer Asmeta double bookcase for Bijenkorf, 1953
By Friso Kramer
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Rare double metal bookcase and shelving unit designed by Friso Kramer for de Beijenkorf, produced by Asmeta in 1953. Martin Visser commissioned Friso Kramer to design a simple usable shelving unit...
Metal
Sold
H 13 in W 13 in D 9.85 in
Rare Pair of Friso Kramer Bed Cabinets for Auping Euroika Series 1963 Teak White
By Friso Kramer, Auping
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Rare pair of Dutch Design bed cabinets from the ''Euroika Series'' Designed by Friso Kramer for Auping 1963. Wonderful example of Minimalist modernist design with curved teak and whi...
Metal
Friso Kramer Asmeta Bookcase
By Friso Kramer, Asmeta
Located in Den Haag, NL
Friso Kramer Asmeta bookcase. Rare Asmeta bookcase. Design Friso Kramer produced by the Bijenkorf 1953. Friso Kramer designed in order off Martin Visser ...
Metal
Friso Kramer "Euroika" Series Medicine Cabinets for Auping
By Friso Kramer, Auping
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare midcentury wall mount medicine cabinet. Two available, slightly different wood colors. A= Reddish and B=Teak both have plexiglass do...
Plexiglass, Teak, Glass
Friso Kramer Euroika Vanity Set Auping, 1963
By Friso Kramer, Auping
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Rare vanity set from the Euroika series designed by Friso Kramer for Auping, Holland, 1963. This set contains a vanity mirror and storage cabinet. Both have a teak plywood casing and...
Glass, Teak, Plywood