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
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
$3,126
H 78.75 in W 64.57 in D 13 in
Poul Cadovius Freestanding Modular Wall Unit System for Royal System, 1960s
By Poul Cadovius, Royal System
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
$32,965
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
$4,484
H 96.86 in W 65.36 in D 18.12 in
Midcentury George Nelson Omni Herman Miller Modular Shelving System Walnut 1950s
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
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
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
$6,787
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 Poul Cadovius, Cado
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
$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
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
Olof Pira Modular Teak Shelving System, Sweden, 1950s
By String Design AB, Olof Pira
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
Danish Vintage Royal Shelving System by Poul Cadovius
By Heal's, Cado, Poul Cadovius
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
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
$3,182
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 Cado, Poul Cadovius
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
$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
$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 Directional, Kay Leroy Ruggles
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1970s. USA. Modular shelving unit with gorgeous sun fading.
Plastic
Danish Vintage Royal Shelving System by Poul Cadovius
By Poul Cadovius, 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
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
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 20.08 in W 13 in D 7.09 in
Dutch Design Mirror Console by Friso Kramer for Auping 1963 Teak Black Glass
By Auping, Friso Kramer
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 76.78 in W 74.41 in D 10.24 in
Modular Room Divider or Bookcase Designed in 1953 by Friso Kramer
By Friso Kramer
Located in Dronten, NL
Room divider or bookcase designed by Friso Kramer in 1953 for the Dutch warehouse "De Bijenkorf". This modular shelving unit has dark blue and yellow that can be used in any desired ...
Steel
Sold
H 77.17 in W 37.41 in D 10.24 in
Rare Friso Kramer ''Bijenkorf'' shelving Asmeta, Soest, The Netherlands
By Friso Kramer
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Video on Friso Kramer: http://youtu.be/8tkxlCEfTjE History: After a very successful exhibition in Paris Artbrokerdesign decided to launch the works of Friso Kramer to the 1stdibs audience. Artbrokerdesign was the first gallery in The Netherlands that promoted the great and functional work of Dutch iconic industrial designer Friso Kramer (90) In the winter 2006-2007 issue of Modernist Magazine the article ''The boundless perfection of Friso Kramer'' appeared in close cooperation with Artbrokerdesign Gallery. Over the years a close friendship between the owner of Artbrokerdesign (Joop Schot) and the Kramer family was established. in 2009 Artbrokerdesign started a collaboration with young and dynamic Belgian entrepreneur (Thomas van Lierde) to organize numerous small exhibitions in Paris, Zurich and Ghent on the works of Friso Kramer and also Wim Rietveld, a perfect blend of Dutch design history was presented in Europe. 2012 was the year that Friso Kramer turned 90 years old. In november 2012 the Premsela foundation presented the book ''Friso Kramer's chair'' written by Yvonne Brentjens and published by Nai010 at the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam. In January 2013 Artbrokerdesign curated an exhibition at Galerie Catherine Houard in Saint Germain, Paris. This exhibition had extensive press coverage by the French press. www.mylitteparis.com, march 2013 www.parisart.com, 22nd february 2013 (Anne Bony) Maison à part, 22nd february 2013 A nous Paris, 18th february 2013 www.lecourrierdelarchitecte.com, 13th february 2013 La Gazette de Drouot, 8th february 2013 www.lemondain.com, february 2013 www.blogs.lesinrocks.com, february 2013 Le Quotidien de l'Art, 31st january 2013 Libération, 29th january 2013 www.luxe-magazine.com, january 2013 Agenda Germain Info, 22nd january 2013 www.sleekdesign.fr, 18th january 2013 Ouest France, 18th january 2013 www.internationalluxuryconsulting.blogspot.fr, 17th january 2013 L'Officiel des Spectacles, 16th january 2013 www.rtbf.be, 15th january 2013 www.lagoradesarts.fr, 15th january 2013 www.rtbf.be, 15th january 2013 www.pourelles.lejsl.com, 16th january 2013 Relaxnews, 15th january 2013 www.lelieududesign.com, 14th january 2013 www.1stdibs.com, january 2013 www.art-culture-france.com, january 2013 www.boursorama.com, 27th december 2012 www.pourelles.bienpublic.com, 26th december 2012 Literature: - ''Friso Kramer industrieel ontwerper'' by Bullhorst & Eggink for 010 Rotterdam. page 78 Description: In the same year (1953) as the Revolt chair was launched Friso Kramer was asked by Martin Visser (Dutch designer 1922-2009) who was at that time head of the furniture section of the renown Dutch department store ''De Bijenkorf'' to make a simple and low cost metal shelving system...
Friso Kramer "Stabilux" Industrial Sheet Metal Bookshelf
By Friso Kramer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful 3 Section Bookshelf newly powder coated Army Green Sheet Metal with Multi-color Shelves. Excellent Condtion.