Decades prior to the mass popularity of neo-industrial cement floors and furniture taking shape, there was Willy Guhl. The Swiss creative is considered one of the first “industrial” designers in his home country. He pioneered a rugged, organic style of modern furniture and decor — stylish planters, shapely seating and lots more — that remains widely coveted by many today.
Guhl was born in 1915 in Stein am Rhein and worked as a carpenter before beginning studies at the Zurich School of Applied Arts (known today as the Zurich University of the Arts), where he would go on to teach for nearly 40 years.
While Guhl is well-known for his range of provocative garden elements as well as his patio and outdoor furniture, today’s legion of mid-century modern enthusiasts are likely familiar with the designer’s iconic Loop chair (introduced in 1954). For this sculptural seat and other furnishings, Guhl tended toward industrial materials, which he bent and shaped into organic forms for a striking juxtaposition. Much of his work is crafted from either concrete or Eternit, a mixture of cement and asbestos developed by the Belgian company Etex, which, in the 1950s, commissioned Guhl and his students at the School of Applied Arts to conceive planters in the material. The resulting vessels — some hourglass-shaped, some in the form of handkerchiefs, all suitable for indoors or exteriors — remain some of Guhl’s most collectible pieces.
Guhl’s affiliation with the Swiss “neo-functional” movement centered on the idea of simplifying design without sacrificing form. According to Guhl, his mission was “achieving the most with the minimum of effort.”
In addition to his work as a designer, Guhl left his mark on subsequent creatives through his 39-year tenure at his alma mater, where he was instructor to the likes of Robert Haussmann, Kurt Thut and Bruno Rey. Modern-day shoppers at IKEA owe Guhl a debt of gratitude too. He was an early advocate of flat-pack furniture, championing its ability to make good design more widely accessible.
At its core, though, Guhl’s work was inherently human-centric: “At the center of my efforts, I put people and their living requirements,” he once said. “My products must be useful to people.” Guhl died in 2004 at the age of 89.
Find a range of vintage Willy Guhl furniture and decorative objects on 1stDibs.
$1,650 / item
Willy Guhl Tilted Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Tilted concrete "soup-cup" planters by Swiss Architect Willy Guhl. Great patina and coloring to each planter. Excellent vintage condition. Great planter and standalone sculpture for ...
Cement
$1,950 / item
Willy Guhl Large Tilted Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large tilted concrete planters by Swiss Architect Willy Guhl. Great patina and coloring to each planter. Excellent vintage condition. Great planter and standalone sculpture for indoo...
Concrete, Cement
$2,800 / item
Willy Guhl 37" Diabolo Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete diabolo planter by Swiss Designer Willy Guhl. Varying degrees of patina to each planter. Available in multiple sizes and quantities. *4 avai...
Cement
$2,000 / item
Willy Guhl 24" Diabolo Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete diabolo planter by Swiss Designer Willy Guhl. Varying degrees of patina to each planter. Available in multiple sizes and quantities. *8 avai...
Cement
Willy Guhl Trapezoid Planter, Fiber Concrete, Mid-Century Modern, 1960
By Willy Guhl
Located in Wichita, KS
Rare vintage square taper trapezoid shaped Willy Guhl planter. This shape is not common and hard to find. wonderful handles on the Side and great patina. Would make a lovely planter inside or out. sold individually. One planter has a smoother gray exterior and probably has not been painted over the years. The other has a bit more patina. Together the two blend nicely. one also has a hairline in the concrete in the upper corner on one side. To view all of our listings at Tiffany...
Concrete
Rectangular Balconia Planter Willy Guhl for Eternit, 1960s
By Willy Guhl
Located in Wichita, KS
Rectangular planter with lip by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit. Planter is made of cement and has good color and patina. Great lines and clean design. This planter would be m...
Concrete
Rectangular Balconia Planters Willy Guhl for Eternit, 1960s
By Willy Guhl
Located in Wichita, KS
Rectangular planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit. Planter is made of cement and has good color and patina. Great lines and clean design. This planter would be magnificen...
Concrete
Rectangular Balconia Planter Willy Guhl for Eternit, 1960s
By Willy Guhl
Located in Wichita, KS
Rectangular planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit. Planter is made of cement and has good color and patina. Great lines and clean design. This planter would be magnificen...
Concrete
$6,261 / set
Large Domed Dog House by Willy Guhl
By Willy Guhl
Located in Copenhagen K, DK
Designed by Willy Guhl, you have here a modern kennel for your beloved dog. The house is designed in fibrated cement by Eternit Switzerland in the 1960s. The two-piece dome-shaped sh...
Cement
Medium Swiss Concrete Dog House by Willy Guhl for Eternit, 1960s
By Willy Guhl
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare 1960s concrete dog house designed by renowned Swiss designer Willy Guhl. The structure features a simple elongated base topped by a raised semicircular arch that peaks at a de...
Concrete
Medium Swiss White Concrete Dog House by Willy Guhl for Eternit, 1960s
By Willy Guhl
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare 1960s concrete dog house designed by renowned Swiss designer Willy Guhl. The structure features a simple elongated base topped by a raised semicircular arch that peaks at a de...
Concrete
Willy Guhl Spindle Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Large spindle or diabolo planter designed by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. Originally made in three sizes, this planter is the medium size at 32 inches tall. An iconic hourglass form to add sculptural flare to the garden. This all-weather planter...
Cement
Vintage planter by Willy Guhl for Eternit editions
By Willy Guhl
Located in AIGNAN, FR
Inclined diabolo planter designed by Willy Guhl for Eternit editions in the 1960s. Planter with an avant-garde design and conception, it does not lack character and modernity. It ...
Cement
$1,613
H 7 in W 31.25 in D 7.5 in
Willy Guhl for Eternit, a Mid-Century Modern Concrete Rectangular Garden Planter
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in London, GB
Willy Guhl for Eternit, a Mid-Century Modern concrete rectangular garden planter with rectangular concave decoration with opposing triangul...
Concrete
Vintage Willy Guhl Swiss Fiber Cement Tilt Planter - Mid-Century Modern
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This striking vintage tilt planter was designed by renowned Swiss modernist Willy Guhl for Eternit in the mid-20th century. Crafted from durable fiber cement, the planter showcases G...
Cement
Planter, Willy Guhl
By Willy Guhl
Located in Copenhagen K, DK
Elegant outdoor pot/jardiniere, in an exceptionally rare and sought after version, by the legendary Swiss designer Willy Guhl. Formed in a charming jar des...
Cement
1960s Willy Guhl Concrete Urn Planter
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete urn by Willy Guhl. Rare model. Excellent cream, pastel yellow and grey patina. Urn has a delicate cement ridge around the mouth giving it a beautiful minimalist design with ...
Concrete
Planter, Willy Guhl
By Willy Guhl
Located in Copenhagen K, DK
Elegant outdoor pot/jardiniere, in an exceptionally rare and sought after version, by the legendary Swiss designer Willy Guhl. Formed in a charming jar des...
Cement
Planter, Willy Guhl
By Willy Guhl
Located in Copenhagen K, DK
Large and beautiful old garden pot / jardiniere, by the legendary Swiss designer Willy Guhl. A good conical design and with fantastic weathered patina....
Cement
$3,890
H 15 in Dm 31.5 in
1 Large Mid-Century Modern Fiber Concrete Architectural Planter by Willy Guhl
Located in New York, NY
Large Swiss fiber concrete architectural planters / vases / urns / jardinières set on fiber concrete plinth bases. Priced and sold individually. Refer...
Concrete
Rectangular Planter by Willy Guhl for Eternit, Switzerland, 1950s
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Willy Guhl designed for Eternit, Switzerland. These planters are made from fiberated cement that is lightweight, strong and durable in all climates. The typical signs of use an...
Cement
Willy Guhl Planter, 1960s
By Willy Guhl
Located in Čelinac, BA
Concrite planter by swiss architect Willy Guhl 1960s.
Concrete
Willy Guhl Cement Tilted Saucer Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Jersey City, NJ
Very cool low tilted planter made in cast cement, attributed to Willy Guhl, 1960's Switzerland. Considerable wear and some chips to base, but looks awesome as is.
Cement
Pair of Concrete Willy Guhl Saucer Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Atlanta, GA
This pair of concrete planters by the famed Willy Guhl were purchased in France, Spring 2024. Although their material is concrete they are lightweight. Each saucer features it's own ...
Concrete
Set of 9 Willy Guhl Tilted Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Tilted concrete "soup-cup" planters by Swiss Architect Willy Guhl. Great patina and coloring to each planter. Excellent vintage condition. Great planter and standalone sculpture for ...
Cement
Willy Guhl 37" Turquoise Diabolo Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete diabolo planter by Swiss Designer Willy Guhl. Stunning electric turquoise color with amazing patina around the brim. Located at our LA Showroom. *Other sizes and colors av...
Cement
Willy Guhl Dog House Eternit Switzerland 1960
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Super cool and rare outdoor dog house designed by Willy Guhl, and manufactured by Eternit AG, Switzerland 1960. This large sized dog house is made of cellu...
Concrete
Willy Guhl 32" Diabolo Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete diabolo planter by Swiss Designer Willy Guhl. Varying degrees of patina to each planter. Available in multiple sizes and quantities. *3 av...
Cement
Willy Guhl Planter with Green Paint
By Willy Guhl
Located in Wichita, KS
Rare vintage square taper shaped Willy Guhl planter. This shape is not common and hard to find. the sides bow slightly but it still remains a square shape. see photos. it has a wonde...
Concrete
Rectangular Balconia Planter Willy Guhl for Eternit, 1960s
By Willy Guhl
Located in Wichita, KS
Rectangular planter with lip detail by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit. Planter is made of cement and has good color and patina. Great lines and clean design. This planter wou...
Concrete
Willy Guhl Tilted "soup cup" Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Wichita, KS
Tilted concrete "soup-cup" planters by Swiss Architect Willy Guhl. Great vintage patina.
Concrete
Willy Guhl Handkerchief Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Fantastic biomorphic handkerchief planter by the Swiss Architect, Willy Guhl. Wonderful sculptural shape with great age, patina, and coloring.
Cement
Willy Guhl Modular Square Cubes
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Rare large set of cement and fiber modular shelving cubes by Swiss Architect Willy Guhl. Each cement cube is freestanding and light weight and can be arranged in multiple ways. O...
Cement
Blue Diabolo Hourglass Planter by Willy Guhl
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic hourglass planter by Willy Guhl painted years ago in blue/green. Excellent patina. Very good vintage condition. Really great coloring and sculptural piece.
Cement
Pink Diabolo Hourglass Planter by Willy Guhl
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic hourglass planter by Willy Guhl painted years ago in hot pink. Great patina. Small chip on base as well as superficial 3 inch crack on stem. Both pictured. Really great col...
Cement