Know Your Chairs: The Platner Chair

Warren Platner started out as an architect but he will forever be known as a furniture designer and interior designer. He was a member of Eero Saarinen’s office (previously here) from 1960 to 1965, participating in the designs for the Dulles International Airport in Washington, D.C., the Repertory Theatre at Lincoln Center, and John Deere World Headquarters. But it wasn't until 1966 when he unveiled through Knoll his classic Platner chair collection that he found his true calling. All the pieces--except the Platner Loveseat which is no longer made--have been in continuous production since their introduction and each sculptural base of these staples of modernist design is made up of hundreds of steel rods which take over one thousand welds to manufacture!

Warren Platner was inducted into Interior Design magazine’s hall of fame in 1985. Until falling ill, Platner was still active in his firm, working on projects. He died in 2006 at the age of 86.

The Platner Arm Chair--
can be bought from Knoll here

The Platner Easy Chair--
can be bought from Knoll here

The Platner Lounge Chair--
can be bought from Knoll here

Happy designing!