Modernist movers: Walter Knoll celebrates 150 years with eight new designs
Germany's most enduring upholstered furniture brand celebrates its 150th birthday by launching eight new products

Founded by Wilhelm Knoll as a leather shop in Stuttgart in 1865, German brand Walter Knoll celebrates its 150th birthday this year. Staying true to its roots, both in terms of location and ethos, the brand's manufacturing operations and HQ proudly remain in Germany while first-class craftsmanship stays firmly at the top of the agenda.
Over the years, the brand has enlisted the talents of international design stars such as Great Britain's Norman Foster and PearsonLloyd; EOOS from Austria; Ben van Berkel from the Netherlands; Kengo Kuma from Japan; and Claudio Bellini from Italy, to create distinctly modern furniture pieces that stand the test of time.
Not wanting to let its 150th anniversary slip by without a celebration, Walter Knoll has held various events throughout the year, and has launched no fewer than eight new products to mark the occasion. Pieces include a sofa and various side tables by Vienna-based design firm EOOS, a reissue of the 'Berlin Chair', originally designed in 1975 by Meinhard von Gerkan for the VIP lounge of Berlin's Tegel Airport, and a set of award-winning lounges by ergonomic experts PearsonLloyd.
These include pieces by Vienna-based design studio EOOS, British duo PearsonLloyd and a reissued chair from the brand's archives. Pictured: the 'Healey Lounge' by PearsonLloyd features piped quilting, inspired by the seats of classic cars
Also by PearsonLloyd, the 'Kyo Lounge' (pictured left), features a deep seat upholstered in high-grade leather, while EOOS' 'Oki' side table (right) is a minimalist design with a delicate wire framework
The 'Berlin Chair', originally designed in 1975 by Meinhard von Gerkan for the VIP lounge of Berlin's Tegel Airport, has been relaunched
Two coffee tables intersect to create the multitiered 'Tama' by EOOS
Available in two sizes and in either marble or onyx, the stone top of EOOS' new 'Joco Stone' table rests on a geometric wire framework
Combining a sofa and side tables into one hybrid design, the new 'Jaan Sofa', also by EOOS, incorporates generous leather surfaces
Serving tables that can be used in conjunction with the 'Jaan Sofa' are now available with a round top made of natural stone
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Ali Morris is a UK-based editor, writer and creative consultant specialising in design, interiors and architecture. In her 16 years as a design writer, Ali has travelled the world, crafting articles about creative projects, products, places and people for titles such as Dezeen, Wallpaper* and Kinfolk.
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