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.
$17,407 / set
Willy GUHL - pair of loop chair
By Willy Guhl
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Willy Guhl (1915–2004) Loop Chairs, 1968 Chaises sculpturales formées de rubans continus de ciment moulé, incarnant la silhouette fluide et sans rupture emblématique de Willy Guhl. ...
Concrete
Set of Black Lacquer and Cane 4 No.3105 “Bankstuhl” Chairs by Willy Guhl, 1959
By Willy Guhl, Stendig Co.
Located in London, GB
A set of 4 black lacquered “Bankstuhl” Chairs designed by Swiss designer, Willy Guhl in 1959. This set of four dining chairs are emblematic of one of Willy Guhl's personal aphorism...
Cane, Wood, Lacquer
$16,000 / set
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
$17,000 / set
Willy Guhl Loop Chairs
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
One Pair of Willy Guhl "Loop" chairs with great patina. Sold as a pair of 2 chairs - 2 sets available Original Eternit production - Switzerland, circa 1950s.
Cement
Original Loop chair by Willy Guhl for Eternit
By Willy Guhl
Located in London, GB
Original Loop chair by Willy Guhl for Eternit. Dated from the 60’s this piece, features a rare cleaned patina.
Concrete
Willy Guhl Loop Chairs and Table Set, 1960s, Switzerland
By Eternit, Ludwig Walser, Willy Guhl
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
$10,500
Willy Guhl Concrete Chair
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Willy Guhl chair with cubed angular shape and wide seat. Fantastic aged patina with natural grown moss Imperfectly perfect for any outside garden
Concrete, Cement
$8,800 / item
Willy Guhl Pod Chair
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Rare pod chairs by Willy Guhl Great sculptural form with patina'd concrete Sold separately - matching pair available
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
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
Guhl Chair by Willy Guhl '1. Edition, Special Sealed, Safe Surface'
By Willy Guhl
Located in Zürich, CH
Here the silhouette is strong. It is presented through the outline and shape of the piece. The object exudes an aura. It’s not about the shape or about the material; its auratic qual...
Concrete
Swiss Design Bank Stühle, or Bench Chairs by Willy Guhl, Set of six, 1960s
By Willy Guhl
Located in Renens, CH
A set of of six “Bank Stühle”, or Bench Chairs by Willy Guhl (also known for the Loop Chairs for Eternit AG), produced during the 1960s in Switzerland. The name Bench Chair is deriv...
Cane, Ash
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
$6,000
Willy Guhl Loop Chair
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The iconic Willy Guhl Loop Chair, which is featured in the MoMA, is a sculptural lounge chair in fiberglass, distinguished by a richly weathered patina. Its spare, flowing curves hig...
Fiberglass
$4,800 / item
Willy Guhl Planter/Bench
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Large pair of Willy Guhl planter/bench Could be used as either planter or flipped over as a pair of benches. Wonderful scale and curved shape Priced separately.
Cement
Pair of Willy Guhl Eternite ball armchairs from the 60s
By Willy Guhl
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Pair of “Ball and ball” model garden armchairs by Swiss designer Willy Ghul from the 60s, published by Eternit. Cellular concrete structure painted orange (...
Cement
1960s Black Lacquered Bankstuhl Chairs by Willy Guhl for Stendig, Set of Four
By Willy Guhl, Stendig Co.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a set of four Bankstuhl caned dining chairs, designed by Willy Guhl. This simple solid model of dining chair is composed of a wood frame with a caned seat and back. This sil...
Cane, Wood, Lacquer
Willy Guhl Loop Chair 1st edition with original wood 1950
By Willy Guhl
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible original from the 50s Loop Chair by Willy Guhl with wood in the base in perfect conditions. Fantastic.
Concrete
$12,000 / item
Pair of Willy Guhl Pod Chairs
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gorgeous pair of Willy Guhl Pod Chairs with patina. By the mid-20th century, Willy Guhl helped redefine industrial design with a language that still resonates today. Guided by a dee...
Concrete
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 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 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
$9,000
Modernis Concrete Chair
By Willy Guhl
Located in LAGUNA BEACH, CA
Willy Guhl's concrete garden chairs with tulip-style seats are exemplary pieces that epitomize innovative design and outdoor sophistication. Crafted with concrete, these chairs showc...
Concrete
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
$1,900Sale Price|34% Off
H 31 in Dm 18 in
Willy Guhl for Eternit 'Diablo' Concrete Hourglass Planters, c 1968
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
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. These sculptural hourglass shaped concrete planters have a grey exterior finish, one darker grey and the other two are light grey. Three available, priced individually. If you are purchasing less than all three, please message us with which one(s) you wish us to ship. 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
$4,200 / set
H 22.05 in W 21.26 in D 31.5 in
Pair of Willy Guhl 'Loop' Garden Chairs Eternit Switzerland 1954
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Iconic pair of Loop Chairs and Table by Swiss neo-functionalist and industrial design pioneer Willy Guhl for Eternit, Switzerland, 1954 A mid-century classic like no other, the Loop...
Cement
$7,400
H 21.66 in W 21.46 in D 29.93 in
Guhl Chair by Willy Guhl '1. Edition, Special Sealed, Safe Surface'
By Willy Guhl
Located in Zürich, CH
Here the silhouette is strong. It is presented through the outline and shape of the piece. The object exudes an aura. It’s not about the shape or about the material; its auratic qual...
Concrete
$4,495 / set
H 32.5 in W 17.75 in D 20.25 in
1930s Josef Hoffmann No. 811 Prague Bentwood & Cane Dining Chairs – Set of 6
By Stendig Co., Josef Hoffmann
Located in Farmington Hills, MI
We are very pleased to offer an early edition of the iconic No. 811 Prague Bentwood Chair, circa the 1930s. Designed by Josef Hoffmann, this design was first introduced as the A64F ...
Cane, Bentwood
$3,841
H 8.67 in W 28.35 in D 15.75 in
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
$1,950Sale Price|32% Off
H 14.25 in Dm 25 in
Willy Guhl for Eternit Tilted Spindle Concrete Planter, circa 1968, Signed
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
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
$950Sale Price|50% Off
H 7 in Dm 14.5 in
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
$2,750Sale Price|29% Off
H 38 in Dm 21 in
Monumental 38" Willy Guhl for Eternit 'Diablo' Concrete Spindle Planter, c 1968
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
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
Willy Guhl Eternit Planters, Switzerland, 1960s
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Antwerp, BE
Brutalist and minimalist planters, Willy Guhl, Switzerland, 1960s 3 similar size rectangular planters are available + 1 larger (see other listings) Willy Guhl was a pioneering Swis...
Concrete
$2,700Sale Price|30% Off
H 38 in Dm 21 in
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
$7,200Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 38.25 in W 23.5 in D 25 in
Set of 8 Black Lacquered Cane Back Dining Chairs
Located in North York, ON
Set of 8 black lacquered cane back dining chairs. Masterfully restored in a satin black lacquer finish with all new upholstery work. Fabric is a hig...
Fabric, Cane, Wood
$2,400Sale Price|29% Off
H 14 in Dm 35 in
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
Sold
H 22.84 in W 21.66 in D 30.52 in
Pair of "Loop Chairs" by Willy Guhl, Produced by Eternit Brazil, 1960s
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in New York, NY
Presenting an attractive loop shape, the Loop Chair was created by the Swiss designer Willy Guhl (1915-2004) in 1954, featuring a single volume of seats and backs. Produced by Eterni...
Cement
Willy Guhl Loop Chairs and Side Table
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of Willy Guhl loop chairs and side table, Switzerland 1950s. Beautiful original patina.
Cement
Set of 8 Vintage Willy Guhl Loop Chairs, 1960s Brazil
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic set of 8 vintage concrete loop chairs by Swiss designer Willy Guhl for Eternit. .This set was made in the Sao Paolo, Brazil factory back in the 1960s. Handmade out of Ete...
Cement
Willy Guhl Loop Chair for Eternit
By Willy Guhl
Located in Forest, BE
An iconic piece of mid-century design, the Loop Chair by Willy Guhl was created for Eternit in the 1950s. Made from a single sheet of fiber cement, its sculptural, continuous form em...
Concrete
Set of 8 Vintage Willy Guhl Loop Chairs
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic set of 8 vintage concrete loop chairs by Swiss designer Willy Guhl for Eternit. Priced as a set of 8.
Cement
Original Loop chair by Willy Guhl for Eternit
By Willy Guhl
Located in London, GB
Original Loop chair by Willy Guhl for Eternit. Dated from the 60’s this piece has a striking patina.
Concrete
Pair of Willy Guhl Concrete Floating Chairs
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Wonderful pair of Willy Guhl attributed "floating" cube chairs Large in scale with great patina Sold as a pair - two pairs available Sculptural design -
Concrete
Set of 3 New Production Willy Guhl Loop Chairs, Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic pair of cement chairs by Swiss designer Willy Guhl for Eternit. New production chairs handmade in Switzerland. Slight weathering and patina give these chairs all the benefi...
Cement
"Loop" Lounge Chairs by Willy Guhl, 1950s
By Willy Guhl
Located in bruxelles, BE
Loop armchair by Willy Guhl. Slight wear and tear due to time and the age. For shipping, request us for receive the best price.
Concrete, Cement
Sold
H 21.07 in W 21.86 in D 37.41 in
Investment with style: pair of mid-century Willy Guhl “Loop Chairs” from Eternit
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Telgte, DE
This extraordinary pair of Willy Guhl “Loop Chairs”, iconic designs from the 1950s, embodies the best of mid-century design. The lounge and garden chairs, masterfully crafted from a continuous concrete slab, are true works of art and exemplify the revolutionary...
Concrete
Willy Guhl Concrete Loop Chairs, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Iconic pair of concrete loop chairs by Willy Guhl. The loop chairs were designed by Willy Guhl in 1954. This pair is dated 11-2-1968 on the underside of the chair. Guhl watched as th...
Cement
Pair of New Production Willy Guhl Loop Chairs, Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic pair of cement chairs by Swiss designer Willy Guhl for Eternit. New production chairs handmade in Switzerland. Slight weathering and patina give these chairs all the benefi...
Cement