Knoll: Warren Platner

Knoll: Warren Platner

Basic information

Warren Platner studied at Cornell University, graduating in 1941 with a degree in architecture. He went on to work with legendary architects Raymond Loewy, Eero Saarinen, and I. M. Pei before opening his own architecture practice. Platner made notable architectural contributions throughout his career, including the Georg Jensen Design Center and the Windows on the World restaurant in the World Trade Center, both in New York City.

Quotation

"A classic is something you look at often and always accept as it is, because you can see no way of improving it."

- Knoll: Warren Platner


Desig by Knoll: Warren Platner

Text

It was his furniture collection for Knoll, however, that earned Platner worldwide renown. Originally introduced by Knoll in 1966, the Platner Collection is an icon of modern furniture. Platner personally formulated the production techniques for the complicated designs with each chair requiring over a thousand welds and more than one hundred cylindrical steel rods. Knoll also introduced an executive private office collection designed by Platner.

Awards and Accolades

1955 - Rome Prize for architecture