Knoll Reissues Mies van der Rohe's Famed Tugendhat Chair

Among architect, interior designer and academic Mies van der Rohe‘s many talents was an innate ability to refine an object’s form without making it feel too cold and clinical. Regarding his furniture designs, few examples of that skill are finer than the one provided by the Tugendhat chair, which Knoll has now re-issued.

Originally designed by Mies van der Rohe in 1929 — the same year he designed the Barcelona Chair — the Tugendhat features a thick, untufted seat (and optional armrests) to ensure maximum comfort. Its cantilevered steel frame also allows for a range of movement, ensuring that an individual sitting it can rapidly change seating positions without a loss of comfort. A final detail is provided by the leather straps that form the back, making for both a key piece of the Tugendhat’s aesthetic and extra seating support. “When you sit in the chair, there’s a gentle bounce, giving the design a dynamic spirit,” said Jonathan Olivares, Knoll’s senior vice president of design. “It engages the user within the space in a way that influences how the entire interior feels to that person.”

To celebrate both the chair’s return and Mies van der Rohe’s singular aesthetic, Knoll ventured to the Villa Tugendhat in Brno, Czech Republic, the home that the Tugendhat Chair was originally designed for, to showcase how its design sits at the intersection of design, art, nature and life. Created by Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich, Villa Tugendhat is a UNESCO World Heritage site, making the campaign images that accompany the return a tribute to its creator’s lasting impact.

The Tugendhat Chair is available in dozens of materials and finishes via the Knoll webstore now. Prices range from $5,195-$7,695 USD.