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.
$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 r...
Concrete
$17,346 / 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
Willy Guhl Loop Chairs and Table Set, 1960s, Switzerland
By Willy Guhl, Ludwig Walser, Eternit
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
$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 ...
Fiberglass
$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
$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
$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
Vintage 1970s Willy Guhl Brutalist Concrete Tulip Chairs Set of 4
By Willy Guhl
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Vintage Set of 4 1970s Willy Guhl concrete tulip chairs. These iconic sculptural chairs feature Guhl’s signature organic form with a pedestal base...
Concrete
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
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
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
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
$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
$4,479 / set
H 32.29 in W 17.72 in D 19.69 in
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
$2,272
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
$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
$4,000Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 26 in W 36 in D 36 in
Vintage White Egg Pod Chair Set with Side Table
Located in Napa, CA
Mid-Century molded plastic egg pod chair set, white plastic with leather seating and red piping. Sold as a set. Chairs each: 26" x 36" ...
Faux Leather, Plastic
$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
$1,900Sale Price|34% Off
H 31 in Dm 18 in
Willy Guhl for Eternit 'Diablo' Concrete Hourglass Planter, 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. 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
$1,850Sale Price|36% 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
$2,650Sale Price|32% 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
Sculptural Biomorphic Garden Planter by Willy Guhl, Swiss Design
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
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
$1,650Sale Price|38% Off
H 14.25 in Dm 25 in
Willy Guhl for Eternit Tilted Spindle Concrete Planter, circa 1968
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
$930Sale Price|51% 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
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
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 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
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
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
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 Willy Guhl, Eternit
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
Cement Pod Chair by Willy Guhl
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Rare pod chair by Willy Guhl Great sculptural form with white concrete Sold separately - matching pair available
Cement
Pair of Loop Chairs by Willy Guhl
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Amazing pair of Willy Guhl Loop Chairs, in A1 condition. Original patina.
Concrete
Vintage Willy Guhl Concrete Loop Chair, 1960s, Switzerland
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Gardena, CA
Iconic vintage Loop Chair by Swiss neo-functionalist and industrial design pioneer Willy Guhl for Eternit, Switzerland, circa 1960s. A mid-century classic like no other, the Loop C...
Cement