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.
Pair of Willy Guhl Loop Chairs, Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Meet the chairs that bend, but never break the rules of design. Willy Guhl’s iconic Loop Chairs, offered here as a striking pair, are formed from continuous ribbons of sculptural cem...
Cement
Willy Guhl Loop Chair, Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Meet the chair that bends but never breaks the rules of design. Willy Guhl’s iconic Loop Chair is a single, continuous ribbon of sculptural cement. Its signature shape creates a play...
Cement
Willy Guhl Modular Concrete Table, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Add a brutalist flare to your interior with this piece by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. A sculptural concrete rectangle with a hollow interior and curved edges, this object is incredib...
Concrete
Willy Guhl for Eternit 'Diablo' Concrete Hourglass Planter, c 1968
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Incredibly gorgeous 31" tall and 18" diameter 'Diablo' concrete spindel planters by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit, circa 1968, Switzerland. This sculptural hourglass shaped concrete planter has a grey exterior finish. The price is for a single Willy Guhl planter, we have the darker grey one showing in the main photo available. Some of the other ones have sold but contact us if you are looking for more Willy Guhl pots and planters. We have a large collection of Willy Guhl for Eternit pots, planters, garden objects, jardinières, and patio furniture. We always have inventory in Diablo's, Tilted and Cone Planters, box and rectangular Guhl...
Concrete
Willy Guhl, Steel and Concrete Design Bench, Switzerland, circa 1950s
By Willy Guhl
Located in leucate, FR
Mid-century floating bench designed by Swiss Architect Willy Guhl. Seater concrete monocoque is in good condition and the tubular steel base has been completely restored, sanded and...
Concrete, Steel
Sculptural Biomorphic Garden Planter by Willy Guhl, Swiss Design
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A sculptural biomorphic garden planter by Willy Guhl and Eternit, in a light weight cement, in good condition. This sculptural vintage garden ornament has been fiber-reinforced. Drai...
Cement
Mid-Century Modern Pair of Loop Chairs and Loop Table by Willy Guhl for Eternit
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Doornspijk, NL
Magnificent pair of Loop Chairs plus a Loop Table designed in 1954 by Willy Guhl for Eternit SA of Switzerland. These iconic garden chairs and table are made of a continuous sheet ...
Cement
Willy Guhl for Eternit Tilted Spindle Concrete Planter, circa 1968
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful tilted spindle concrete planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit, circa 1968, Switzerland. This special 'tilted' hourglass shaped concrete spindel planter has a ...
Concrete
Willy Guhl for Eternit Large Sized Tilted Spindle Concrete Planter, circa 1968
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A large sized (18" tall and 25" wide) tilted spindle concrete planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit, circa 1968, Switzerland. This special 'tilted' hourglass shaped concr...
Concrete
Large 'Handkerchief' Concrete Planter by Willy Guhl for Eternit, c. 1968
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This beautiful large sized (35" diameter) 'Handkerchief' concrete planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit, circa 1968 Switzerland in a lovely patinated red exterior finish ...
Concrete
Willy Guhl for Eternit Cone Concrete Planter in Burgundy, circa 1968, Signed
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An incredible designer on-trend architectural concrete cone planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit, circa 1968 Switzerland. This cone shaped concrete planter has a patinated burgundy red exterior finish. Consider using this as a bird-feeder or bird-bath, a sculptural art piece or a pot for succulents, weeping grass or plants. Signed on the inside near edge. We have a large collection of Willy Guhl for Eternit pots, planters, garden objects, jardinières, and patio furniture. We always have inventory in Diablo's, Tilted and Cone Planters, box and rectangular Guhl...
Concrete
Pair of Willy Guhl Sculptural Concrete Chairs
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Perfect set of sculptural concrete chairs by Willy Guhl for Eternit. Faceted square chairs with great lines and proportions. Perfect indoors or outside. Fantastic coloring and patina...
Concrete
Tropical Planter by Willy Guhl, Produced by Eternit Brazil, 1960s
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in New York, NY
This vase is part of the series of Eternit fiber-cement vases designed by Willy Guhl (1915–2004), the industrial design pioneer in Switzerland who also created the remarkable Loop ch...
Cement
Willy Guhl Loop Chairs, 1960s Brazil
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare set of vintage Willy Guhl Loop chairs from Brazil. This pair of chairs was designed by Willy Guhl in the early 1960's. With a beautiful blue color on the front and green on the...
Cement
Willy Guhl Concrete Loop Chairs, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Iconic pair of concrete loop chairs by Willy Guhl. This pair of chairs were designed by Willy Guhl in 1954. Guhl watched as the Eternit fiber cement panels were fabricated with a mac...
Cement
Willy Guhl Concrete Pod Chair, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning concrete pod chair designed by Swiss Architect Willy Guhl. Hand made in Switzerland by Eternit in the 1960s. Gorgeous patina. Factory drill...
Cement
Pair of Yellow Willy Guhl Sculptural Concrete Chairs, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare set of sculptural concrete chairs by Willy Guhl for Eternit. Faceted square chairs with great lines and proportions. Perfect indoors or outside. Fantastic coloring to chairs lik...
Concrete
Willy Guhl Blue Fiberglass Bench, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Remarkable midcentury floating bench by Swiss Architect Willy Guhl. circa 1960s. Perfect minimal design as is common with the Swiss designer. Light weight but sturdy. The electric bl...
Metal
Monumental 38" Willy Guhl for Eternit 'Diablo' Concrete Spindle Planter, c 1968
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Incredibly gorgeous 38" tall 'Diablo' concrete spindel planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit, circa 1968, Switzerland. This sculptural hourglass shaped concrete planter has a white exterior finish. We have a large collection of Willy Guhl for Eternit pots, planters, garden objects, jardinières, and patio furniture. We always have inventory in Diablo's, Tilted and Cone Planters, box and rectangular Guhl...
Concrete
Monumental 38" Willy Guhl for Eternit 'Diablo' Concrete Spindle Planter, c 1968
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Incredibly gorgeous 38" tall 'Diablo' concrete spindel planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit, circa 1968, Switzerland. This sculptural hourglass shaped concrete planter has a white exterior finish. We have a large collection of Willy Guhl for Eternit pots, planters, garden objects, jardinières, and patio furniture. We always have inventory in Diablo's, Tilted and Cone Planters, box and rectangular Guhl...
Concrete
Large Adjustable Spindle Planter by Willy Guhl, Switzerland 1970s, Signed
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A striking and large-scale adjustable tilted spindle planter designed by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit, Switzerland, circa 1978. This sculptural example exemplifies Guhl’s m...
Concrete
Willy Guhl Half Moon Wall Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare concrete planters by Willy Guhl with factory drilled holes to hang on the wall. Semi circular front with faceted edges in back. Great vintage condition. 4 available. Priced indi...
Cement
Willy Guhl Loop Chairs and Table Set, 1960s, Switzerland
By Eternit, Willy Guhl, Ludwig Walser
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wonderful pair of concrete 'loop' chairs by Willy Guhl with a table/stool by Ludwig Walser. A beautiful pastel rouge color on one chair and a pastel violet on the other with the tabl...
Cement
Willy Guhl and Robert Pansart Red Pod Chair in Cement, 1969
By Robert Pansart, Willy Guhl
Located in Santa Gertrudis, Baleares
Extremely rare iconic pod chair attributed to Willy Guhl, Many experts agree that this Pod Chair is actually the work of Robert Pansart, better known for his mirrors than for this ma...
Cement
Pair of "Loop Chair" Armchairs Willy Guhl Swiss Vintage Design, G212
By Willy Guhl
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Pair of garden armchairs model "Loop chair" by the Swiss designer Willy Guhl from the 60's edited by Eternit. Fiber cement ribbon forming a low...
Cement
Willy Guhl Concrete Drum Table
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic drum table by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit. Great scale and unique shape. Suitable for indoor and outdoors. Only one available. New pencil edge glass top. Stunnin...
Cement
Willy Guhl Concrete Pod Chair, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Willy Guhl concrete pod chair, hand made in Switzerland in the 1960s. Stunning example drenched in lichen and patina. Great condition. One of the most collectible pieces of concrete ...
Cement
SET OF 3 ORIGINAL LOOP Slipper Chairs, by Willy Guhl (1964)
By Willy Guhl
Located in TOULOUSE, FR
Set of 3 original garden chairs made of cement, folded in a loop. These armchairs have never been used outdoors and have few signs of wear. The Loop chairs were designed by the famo...
Concrete
Swiss Planter by Willy Guhl, Produced by Eternit Brazil, 1960s
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in New York, NY
This vase is part of the series of Eternit fiber-cement vases designed by Willy Guhl (1915–2004), the industrial design pioneer in Switzerland who also created the remarkable Loop ch...
Cement
Willy Guhl Green Fiberglass and Steel Bench, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Remarkable mid-century floating bench by Swiss Architect Willy Guhl. Circa 1960s. Perfect minimal design as is common with the Swiss designer. Light weight but sturdy. The electric g...
Metal
Willy Guhl Concrete and Steel Floating Bench, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Remarkable mid-century floating concrete bench by Swiss Architect Willy Guhl. Circa 1960s. Sturdy and substantial. Holds the weight of 3 adults easily. Perfect minimal design as is c...
Concrete, Steel
Willy Guhl, desipair of Concrete Ball Armchairs, circa 1970s
By Willy Guhl
Located in leucate, FR
Pair of ball armchairs created by designer Willy Guhl. Sculptural armchairs, organic design reminiscent of a mushroom. Ideal for a garden or around a ...
Concrete
Willy Guhl Square Tray Planters, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic square tray tabletop planters by Willy Guhl. Great for succulents and indoor planting. Great original patina throughout. Six available. Priced ...
Cement
Blue Modern Sculptural Vintage Willy Guhl Loop Coffee Table, 1995, Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Vienna, AT
Blue modern vintage Loop coffee table by Willy Guhl (1915-2004). This coffee table is a futuristic beautiful coffee table or sofa table. The futurist...
Cement