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 'Reiger' Drafting Table for Ahrend de Cirkel, 1963
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Friso Kramer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare 'Reiger' drafting table designed by Friso Kramer for Dutch manufacturer Ahrend de Cirkel in 1963. The name translates to 'Heron,' a reference to the table's tall, lean silhouett...
Metal, Enamel
Mid-Century Executive Desk by Friso Kramer & Coen de Vries, 1950s
By Friso Kramer, Coen de Vries, EEKA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A striking example of Dutch mid-century modern design, this executive desk was designed by Friso Kramer and Coen de Vries for EEKA (Eindhovense Eisen- en Kantoorartikelenfabriek) in ...
Steel
Mid-Century Friso Kramer "Reform" Industrial Dining or Work Table
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sleek, Mid-Century, Reform table designed by Friso Kramer for Ahrend Circle in 1955. Industrial enameled gray metal frame with faux teak wood Formica top...
Metal
Friso Kramer for Ahrend De Cirkel Dining Table or Desk in Grey
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel, table, lacquered steel, melamine-coated wood, aluminum, The Netherlands, design 1955 Designed by Dutch designer Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel ...
Aluminum, Steel
Rare Square-ish Friso Kramer REFORM Table for Ahrend de Cirkel
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare, Dutch Mid-Century, REFORM table by Friso Kramer, arguably Netherland's greatest designer of the post-war era. Designed for the acclaimed Ahrend de Cirkel company and manufactur...
Metal, Aluminum
XL Dutch Reply Architect Drafting Table Friso Kramer, Wim Rietveld Ahrend, 1959
By Friso Kramer, Wim Rietveld, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Wim Rietveld & Friso Kramer Drafting Table for Ahrend de Cirkel, 1959 **The Netherlands** A rare and highly sought-after Dutch modernist drafting table designed by Wim Rietvel...
Steel
Friso Kramer 'Facet' Table for Ahrend de Cirkel, Netherlands
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Friso Kramer's Facet table for Dutch manufacturer Ahrend de Cirkel features a white Formica top set within a brown enameled metal frame. Four slender square-section legs give the tab...
Metal, Enamel
Friso Kramer 'Reform' Table or Desk with Reclaimed Rustic Oak Top
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
A reclaimed vintage rustic solid oak top has been mounted on a Friso Kramer 'Reform' table frame The Reform table was designed by Friso Kramer for Ahrend/De Cirkel to match with ...
Metal
Dutch Friso Kramer Industrial 'Reform' Work Table in Metal
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Friso Kramer
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel, work table, lacquered steel, linoleum, aluminum, the Netherlands, 1950s. This work table is designed by Friso Kramer in the 1940s. The table feat...
Aluminum, Steel
Friso Kramer "Rotunda" Coffee Table for Ahrend de Cirkel
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Rotunda coffee table by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel features a round clear glass top supported by four slender black enameled metal legs with a matching circular lower shel...
Metal, Enamel
Friso Kramer "Rotunda" Black Metal and Glass Coffee Table by Ahrend de Cirkel
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare "Rotunda" coffee table by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel. Black enameled metal base with magazine shelf and glass top. In good original condition with some signs of wear to f...
Metal
Rare Friso Kramer "Rotunda" Coffee Table for Ahrend de Cirkel
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Rotunda coffee table by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel features a circular clear glass top resting on three vertical metal uprights, with an integrated circular metal magazine...
Metal, Enamel
Friso Kramer Round "Reform" Industrial Table with White Top and Black Metal Legs
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Round Industrial "Reform" table by Dutch Mid-Century Industrial design great Friso Kramer. Designed by Kramer at the beginning of his storied career in 1955 for manufacturing company...
Metal
Large 'Reform' Table by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel, Netherlands, 1950s
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Steenwijk, NL
The famous 'Reform' table was designed by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel in 1955. This table is a true Dutch design in a very nice condition. At the mark on the solid metal frame ...
Metal, Aluminum
Rare Petrol Blue Octagon Xxl "Reform" Conference Table by Friso Kramer Ahrend
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Rare Petrol Blue version of the largest model Reform table made by Ahrend De Cirkel. Dutch industrial designer and pioneer of functional design Friso Kramer made this Reform table in 1955 to match with his award winning Revolt chair, a chair he designed in 1953 that is now standing next to Jean Prouve's work in Les Musee Arts...
Aluminum, Metal
Friso Kramer University Coffeetable Ahrend De Cirkel The Netherlands
By Friso Kramer
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Note: this table is currently part of the ''From the Guggenheim Museum to the Cobra Museum'' exhibition in Amstelveen, The Netherlands A rare round coffeetable by Dutch industrial d...
Friso Kramer Revolt folding table Ahrend Netherlands 1955
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
This ultra-rare folding table by Friso Kramer, designed in 1955 for Ahrend de Cirkel in Holland, is a true collector’s piece from his renowned *Reform* table program. The Reform seri...
Metal
Friso Kramer Reform Table Small Ahrend de Cirkel, 1963
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Nice small and rare sized industrial 'Reform' table designed by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel, Holland 1955. This dining table was a part of the Reform table program that was designed by Friso Kramer in 1955. The Reform series contained a lot of variety of tables in different sizes and editions to the client’s needs. One thing was always the same, the structure of the base, applied in several different sized and shaped tables. This base was a folded metal frame which was light but also very strong. The tops varied from hardcore, linoleum, Formica and wood. Whatever the client wanted. This has a rectangular shaped top, finished with white formica and an aluminum edge. The table has a grey painted frame in good condition with normal wear and losses. This table comes from TH Delft...
Metal, Aluminum
Friso Kramer Round Coffee Table Ahrend, 1962
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Super rare coffee table designed by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel. This table from technical university Eindhoven, stamped on the bottom 1964. With original tags from TH Eindhove...
Metal
$2,900
H 29 in W 42 in D 31 in
Belmont Adjustable Hydraulic Architectural Drafting / Work Table, Art Deco Style
By Belmont
Located in Buffalo, NY
Mid Century Modern / Art Deco adjustable hydraulic architectural drafting or working table, by Belmont 1940s / 50s The table is equipped with a hydraulic lift height adjustment syste...
Chrome, Metal
$639Sale Price|60% Off
H 30 in W 50 in D 30 in
Industrial Modern Wrought Iron Tilt Top Drafting Desk / Table
By Jorge A. Marien
Located in East Freetown, MA
Extraordinary modern wrought iron and glass tilt top drafting desk/table. Glass top is framed by wrought iron and tilts when the steampunk style handles are loosened. Table can be used as a dining or large entrance table.
Iron
$195 / item
H 29.75 in W 27.5 in D 19.5 in
1960s Friso Kramer Style Industrial Desk Teak Formica Top by Werzalit
By Friso Kramer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Industrial work desk attributed to the Friso Kramer style manufactured by Werzalit in Austria during the 1960s. The design features a compact cantilever frame construction in dark gr...
Metal
Cast Iron Drafting Table by A. Hoffman Co. 1910 Rochester, NY
By A. Hoffman Co.
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
1910 drafting table by A. Hoffman Co. blackened cast iron and steel with wood. Stamped "Peerless" "ROCHESTER NY" "A HOFFMAN CO". Cast iron tripod b...
Iron
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Executive Desk
By Jens Risom
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Jens Risom Mid Century walnut executive desk This desk measures: 62 wide x 28 deep x 28.5 high, with a chair clearance ...
Metal
19th Century Swedish Folk Art Work or Dining Table
Located in Kramfors, SE
Swedish work or dining table in folk art from the early 19th century, around 1820. The table is a Swedish antique, genuine and honest with a solid frame and simple design. The propor...
Pine
Industrial Swing-Out-Seat Outdoor Dining Table
By Get Back, Inc.
Located in Oakville, CT
The get back outdoor industrial dining table. Taking our swing out seats a step beyond their usual bar and kitchen counter duties, Tim Byrne, founder of...
Steel, Iron
$1,800
H 45 in W 43 in D 34 in
Original 1950s Wim Rietveld Friso Kramer Articulating Drafting Table Desk Patina
By Wim Rietveld
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Rare Wim Rietveld 'Reply' articulating drafting table. The hinging mechanism was a collaborative design with Wim Rietveld and Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel in 1958. Adjustable at...
Steel
Antique Arts & Crafts Oak Adjustable Drafting Table C1930
Located in Big Flats, NY
An authentic antique Arts & Crafts period drafting table, crafted from solid oak, dating to approximately 1930. This piece exemplifies the movement's emphasis on utility, honest mate...
Oak
Fine Pieced Burl Top Dining/ Work Table
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A beautifully constructed table with an artistically conceived piece-work top in deep toned Burl Wood veneers. The top is plank-constructed in different dark wood grains of different...
Wood
Antique Slant-Front Drafting Desk Writing Table
Located in Forney, TX
A rare and exceptionally inlaid antique slant-front drafting desk. circa 1900 Hand-crafted in the early 20th century, likely French, one piece desk on frame form, having a sloped fr...
Ebony, Kingwood, Mahogany, Maple, Palisander, Rosewood, Burl, Felt
Mid-Century Large Executive Desk by Vittorio Dassi, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Large Executive Desk by Vittorio Dassi, 1950s
Wood
Sold
H 45 in W 43 in D 34 in
Wim Rietveld & Friso Kramer 'Reply' Drafting Table for Ahrend de Cirkel, 1958
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Friso Kramer, Wim Rietveld
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The 'Reply' drafting table features a wood laminate top mounted on a Gray powder-coated metal frame base. Adjustment knobs at two points along the frame control the angle of the top,...
Metal
Dutch Work Table in Metal by Friso Kramer
By Friso Kramer
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Friso Kramer for TH delft , conference table, metal, The Netherlands, 1940s. This work table is designed by Friso Kramer in the 1940s. The table features a ...
Metal
Sold
H 29.33 in W 47.325 in D 27.75 in
Friso Kramer 1960 Reform Tables for Ahrend de Cirkel, Steel & Linoleum
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dutch Mid-Century Reform tables designed by the illustrious post-war designer Friso Kramer and manufactured by Ahrend de Cirkel in the Netherlands. Made of high quality bone white f...
Metal, Enamel, Steel
Friso Kramer Small Facet Table for Ahrend de Cirkel
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage “Facet” table designed by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel, Netherlands, 1970s. Dutch utilitarian design, this model features an almond-colored laminate top with distinctive...
Metal
Friso Kramer 'Facet' Table for Ahrend de Cirkel, 1970s
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A handsome Friso Kramer 'Facet' table, designed for the renowned Dutch furniture maker Ahrend de Cirkel in the 1970s. The table features a durable almond laminate top and a sturdy br...
Metal
Sold
H 29 in W 43.5 in D 31.5 in
Dutch Modern Reply Drafting Table Set By Wim Rietveld And Friso Kramer
By Friso Kramer, Wim Rietveld, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This drafting table and chair set was designed by Dutch designers Wim Rietveld and Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel in 1963. This sturdy mid-century modern drafting set is a distin...
Steel
Sold
H 58 in W 32.5 in D 33.25 in
Wim Rietveld + Friso Kramer "Reply" Drafting Table for Ahrend de Cirkel
By Wim Rietveld, Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century "Reply" drafting table with adjustable top, the result of a collaboration between Wim Rietveld and Friso Kramer, two towering figures in Dutch post-war design. Manufactur...
Metal
Sold
H 60 in W 37.25 in D 25.75 in
Wim Rietveld + Friso Kramer "Reply" Drafting Table for Ahrend de Cirkel
By Wim Rietveld, Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wim Rietveld "Reply" drafting table. The hinging mechanism was a collaborative design with Wim Rietveld and Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel in 1958. Adjustable on two points. Woode...
Metal
Sold
H 30 in W 78.75 in D 39.375 in
Mid-Century Teak & Steel Executive Desk by Friso Kramer & Coen de Vries for Eeka
By Friso Kramer, EEKA, Coen de Vries
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Amazing teak executive desk with two sets of stacked drawers and a floating top on a black enameled metal frame with prouve style legs. Leg opening is 24.5'. Seat opening 24.75” wide...
Steel
Sold
H 34.65 in W 38.19 in D 30.71 in
Dutch 1950's Industrial Drafting Table with Working Stool by Friso Kramer
By Marko, Friso Kramer
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
1950's adjustable drafting table produced by Marko and a working stool by Dutch designer Friso Kramer for Ahrend - De Cirkel approximately manufactured ...
Metal, Aluminum
Sold
H 29.5 in W 39.5 in D 27.75 in
Small Mid-Century Friso Kramer Black and Gray 'Reform' Dining Table or Desk
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare original small sized Friso Kramer "Reform" dining table or desk with black enameled metal frame and charcoal gray linoleum top. Some scratching and markings on the top. Wear is ...
Metal
1958 Wim Rietveld "REPLY" Drafting Table with Gray Frame
By Wim Rietveld, Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wim Rietveld "REPLY" drafting table, with a hinging mechanism that was a collaborative design with Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel in 1958. Gray enameled frame with rare side tray,...
Metal