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.
Mid-Century Executive Desk by Friso Kramer & Coen de Vries, 1950s
By EEKA, Friso Kramer, Coen de Vries
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
XL Dutch Reply Architect Drafting Table Friso Kramer, Wim Rietveld Ahrend, 1959
By Wim Rietveld, Friso Kramer, 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
$3,200Sale Price|20% Off
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
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 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
$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
Wim Rietveld 'Reply' Drafting Tables for Ahrend de Cirkel, 1958
By Wim Rietveld, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The 'Reply' drafting table was a collaborative design by Wim Rietveld and Friso Kramer, produced by Ahrend de Cirkel beginning in 1958. Each table features a wood laminate top adjust...
Metal, Enamel
$10,000 / item
H 30 in W 42 in D 17.5 in
Agnes Desk or Writing Table Made from Reclaimed Pine (custom)
By Petersen Antiques
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This custom desk or writing table is made from reclaimed pine with one large drawer that can be pulled out from either side. The table shown here is 17.5" x 42" but the price applies...
Reclaimed Wood
$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
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
Mid-Century Modern Writing Desk, Netherlands, 1960s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Sleek writing desk featuring a dual-panel tabletop with a crisp white finish and red trim. This piece offers a minimalist aesthetic perfect for any contemporary space. The sturdy met...
Metal
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
$4,400
H 29 in W 59 in D 16 in
Danish Mid-Century Modern Convertible Fold Out Console Dining Table 1 Drawer
By Dux of Sweden, Durland
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Danish Mid-Century Modern convertible fold out console dining table 1 drawer.
Teak
$2,707
H 27.56 in W 39.38 in D 22.45 in
Mid-Century Green Wooden Desk by Derk Jan de Vries - The Netherlands 1960s
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Green Wooden Desk by Derk Jan de Vries - The Netherlands 1960s.
Wood
$4,944
H 27.56 in W 45.28 in D 17.72 in
Small Bauhaus Tubular Steel Desk, Oak Veneer and Chromium Plated Metal c 1930
By Marcel Breuer
Located in Berlin, DE
Small Bauhaus tubular steel desk, so-called 'typewriter desk', with 4 drawers. The desk is made of chromed tubular steel and oak-veneered wood. Germany/Czechoslovakia/Austria, circa ...
Chrome
Mid-Century Danish Teak Large Executive Desk
Located in Baltimore, MD
Beautiful remarkable statement in design and craftsmanship. This large mid-century teak Danish executive size desk, is precisely crafted in exceptional teak grain wood, with a fully ...
Teak
Italian Mid-Century Writing Desk by Vittorio Dassi, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Buccinasco, MI
Elegant and refined Italian Mid-Century writing desk designed by Vittorio Dassi in the 1950s, a period in which his work reflects the broader cultural dialogue of Italian post-war de...
Brass
Friso Kramer 'Reiger' Drafting Table for Ahrend de Cirkel, 1963
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
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
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, Wim Rietveld, Friso Kramer
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
Sold
H 58 in W 32.5 in D 33.25 in
Wim Rietveld + Friso Kramer "Reply" Drafting Table for Ahrend de Cirkel
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Wim Rietveld, Friso Kramer
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 EEKA, Friso Kramer, 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
1958 Wim Rietveld "REPLY" Drafting Table with Gray Frame
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Wim Rietveld, Friso Kramer
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
Drafting Table by Kramer & Rietweld 1960s
By Friso Kramer
Located in Ljubljana, SI
Drafting Table by Friso Kramer & Wilm Rietweld for Ahrend de Cirkel, 1960s Adjustable working surface. Beautiful vintage patina.
Metal
Sold
H 29.53 in W 45.28 in D 35.44 in
XL Dutch Reply Architect Drafting Table Friso Kramer, Wim Rietveld Ahrend, 1959
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Wim Rietveld, Friso Kramer
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Reply Dutch Design Architect drafting table designed by Wim Rietveld and Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Circel in 1959. Design classic, awarded with the "Signe d’Or". The table top is fu...
Steel
Sold
H 27.96 in W 25.2 in D 25.6 in
Reply Drawing Table + Stool by Friso Kramer & Wim Rietveld for Ahrend de Cirkel
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Friso Kramer, Wim Rietveld
Located in Munster, NRW
The ‚reply‘ drawing table, designed in the 1950s by friso kramer & wim rietveld, is adjustable continuously from horizontal to vertical. so it works as a desk, bar table, flipboard – and, no joke, we have already sold it: as a diaper changing table...
Metal
Sold
H 29.53 in W 37.41 in D 35.44 in
Reply Architect Drafting Table Friso Kramer, Wim Rietveld Ahrend Cirkel, 1959
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Wim Rietveld, Friso Kramer
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Reply Dutch Design Architect drawing table designed by Wim Rietveld and Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Circel in 1959. Design Classic, awarded with the "Signe d’Or". The table top is fully adjustable by two rotary knobs, this table is in very good condition seen its age. Dark Brown coated...
Steel
Sold
H 43.31 in W 23.63 in D 25.6 in
Very Rare Reiger Drafting Table Friso Kramer Ahrend de Cirkel, 1963
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Very rare drafting table "Reiger" designed by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel in 1963. The tabletop is original and has a minor chip as you can see on the close-up. Overall in v...
Metal
Sold
H 29.53 in W 43.31 in D 35.44 in
Early Reply Architect Drafting Table Friso Kramer, Wim Rietveld Ahrend de Cirkel
By Wim Rietveld, Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Reply Dutch Design Architect drawing / drafting table designed by Wim Rietveld and Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Circel in 1959. Design Classic, awarded with the "Signe d’Or". Complet...
Steel