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.
$1,320 / item
Willy Guhl Planter - MARMITE (Very Rare)
By Willy Guhl
Located in Saijaa, SH
The Marmite was designed by Swiss visionary Willy Guhl, celebrated for redefining outdoor aesthetics through minimalist, sculptural forms. Willy Guhl planters were crafted from concr...
Fibre Cement
Sculptural Concrete Garden Urn by Willy Guhl, Swiss, 1960s
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in West Hollywood, CA
A sculptural garden by Willy Guhl, combining a rounded body with a defined rim and gently tapering base. Its restrained silhouette reflects the simplicity of Swiss modern design, whi...
Cement
$480Sale Price|49% Off
H 6 in W 15.75 in D 6 in
Willy Guhl for Eternit Rectangle Concrete Outdoor Handle Planter, circa 1968
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This designer on-trend architectural rectangular concrete planter is by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit, crafted circa 1968 Switzer...
Concrete
Willy Guhl Concrete Vase, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful concrete vases by Willy Guhl. Thick walls with years of patina both hand painted in a matte white paint. Delicate and classic lines that start with a thin tapered base and ...
Cement
Willy Guhl Concrete Vase, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic concrete vase by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit. Great tabletop vase or planter in a unique weathered hand painted patina. Very unusual shape. Great indoors or outs...
Concrete
Pair of Willy Guhl Eternite, Mid-20th Century Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of eternite planters attributed to Willy Guhl, mid-20th century. This pair of rectangular-shaped planters are a nearly perfect pair, only noticeable difference being that one ...
Cement
Willy Guhl Saucer Planter on Stand
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
31" Willy Guhl saucer planter on stand for Eternit Floating saucer planter on base Sculptural garden vessel The base can be flipped upside down for use ...
Concrete
Willy Guhl Urn Planters
Located in Brooklyn, NY
These Willy Guhl urn planters combine mid-century modernism with organic sculptural presence. Featuring a gently tapered body rising from a shaped base, with a clean lip and subtle r...
Fibre Cement
Large Willy Guhl Hourglass Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Wonderful concrete hourglass planters by the Swiss Architect, Willy Guhl. Great age, patina and coloring. Iconic sculptural planter or garden object. Listing is for a 35.5"-37"...
Concrete
$475Sale Price / item|52% Off
H 6 in W 19.5 in D 6 in
Willy Guhl for Eternit Rectangle Concrete Outdoor Handle Planter, circa 1968
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This designer on-trend architectural rectangular concrete planter is by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit, crafted circa 1968 Switzer...
Concrete
"marmite" planter by Willy Ghul from the 50s/60s
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Trio of planters based on the famous "marmite" model by Swiss designer Willy Guhl, produced by Eternite in the 50s and 60s. Cauldron-shaped structure in white fiber cement on three ...
Cement
Willy Guhl Planter on Stand
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Willy Guhl for Eternit 47" planter on stand. Floating saucer planter on base. Sculptural garden vessel. The base can be flipped upside down for u...
Concrete
$585Sale Price|49% Off
H 6.875 in W 23.5 in D 6.875 in
Willy Guhl for Eternit Large Rectangle Concrete Outdoor Handle Planter
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This designer on-trend architectural 23.5" long rectangular concrete planter is by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit, crafted circa 1...
Concrete
Willy Guhl Concrete Vases
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique set of concrete sculptures by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. Concrete vases/planters rarely seen. Cool sculptural piece for indoors or outside. Great standalone piece of art. Gre...
Concrete
Willy Guhl Urn Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Brooklyn, NY
These Willy Guhl urn planters combine mid-century modernism with organic sculptural presence. Featuring a gently tapered body rising from a shaped base, with a clean lip and subtle r...
Fibre Cement
$1,032
H 8.08 in Dm 24.02 in
Willy Guhl inspired concrete Planter in cone shape made in England 1960’s
By Willy Guhl
Located in London, GB
Mid-Century Modern Concrete Planter – 1960s English Design Discover this exquisite Mid-Century Modern concrete planter from England, dating ba...
Concrete
$540Sale Price / item|53% Off
H 6 in W 25.75 in D 6.75 in
Willy Guhl for Eternit Large Rectangle Concrete Outdoor Planter, 1970s, Signed
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This designer on-trend architectural 25.75" long rectangular concrete planter is by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit, crafted in the 1970s Switzerland and signed and dated underneath. This special low-profile and rare long sized rectangle-shaped concrete planter has a patinated natural exterior finish and organic aging over decades of UK climate. Excellent planter size for a variety of various uses such as succulents, plants, weeping grass with the planter on a Stand, balcony privacy hedge, or any other outdoor decorative use. Consider using this Willy Guhl Concrete Planter Pot...
Concrete