Knoll Launches Chermayeff Storage Evolving Florence Knoll's Designs

Knoll has launched the Knoll Chermayeff Storage collection, a new line of furniture designed by architect Sam Chermayeff that reinterprets the brand's foundational modernist principles for modern living. This collection serves as a direct evolution of Florence Knoll’s seminal 1961 credenzas, maintaining the original pieces' precise logic of steel, veneer, and marble construction while introducing entirely new forms and proportions. Knoll Creative Director Jonathan Olivares has categorized the collection as "adaptive reuse," aiming to extend classic architectural visions to foster more fluid approaches to living and working environments. The Chermayeff Storage collection transforms storage from a purely functional requirement into an architectural element that serves as a backdrop for displaying books, objects, and personal items. The line includes tall open shelving units that extend the system vertically, enhancing spatial presence and offering the potential for subtle room division. A dedicated bar cabinet is also featured, positioning storage as a central element for social gatherings and entertaining. The collection is further expanded with coffee tables, side tables, and console tables, incorporating concealed drawers to integrate everyday organization into lower-profile, informal furniture types. Visually, the pieces maintain the clean geometry and structural rigor characteristic of Florence Knoll’s original credenzas. However, Chermayeff introduces a more dynamic character through adjusted proportions and a revitalized color palette, featuring expressive finishes such as Dark Red Ultra, Dark Python, and Iris lacquer. This deliberate balance between historical continuity and contemporary adaptability distinguishes the Chermayeff Storage from a standard Knoll reissue. Unlike typical restorations that preserve an existing object through updated materials, finishes, or colors, Chermayeff's approach builds upon Florence Knoll’s original system by creating new applications and expressions of its core design philosophy. The collection's design process involved extensive research into Florence Knoll's archives, focusing on the modularity and material integrity of her early work. Sam Chermayeff, known for his work in architectural design and furniture, collaborated closely with the Knoll design team to ensure the new pieces resonated with the brand's heritage while meeting contemporary functional and aesthetic demands. The collection's introduction marks a significant moment for Knoll, celebrating its legacy while embracing innovation in furniture design for the 21st century. The pieces are intended to be versatile, suitable for both residential and commercial spaces, reflecting the evolving nature of how people use their environments.