Knoll Revives Bauhaus-Era Icons for a Bold New Look

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Time to save up your pretty pennies – your favorite Bauhaus classics just got a stunning makeover. Knoll has just launched three ultra-matte finishes – white, black, and an archival dark red – across four of its collections designed by two iconic greats: Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Marcel Breuer. In these new colorways, the reimagined pieces make a new, bold statement with the same innovative spirit of the Bauhaus era.

Modern chair with a red metal frame and black slats, set outdoors against a concrete background.

Wassily Chair \\\ Photo: Adam Jason Cohen

A modern black metal chair placed on a concrete surface with clear blue sky in the background. Steps and a concrete wall are visible to the left.

Wassily Chair \\\ Photo: Adam Jason Cohen

These tubular steel collections include the MR Chair and MR Tables by Mies, as well as Breuer’s Wassily Chair, Cesca Chairs and Stools, and Laccio Tables. They were all designed when Mies and Breuer were both at the Bauhaus institute, unaware of their impact on this significant design movement. For the first time ever, these pieces are being commercially produced in these striking new finishes.

A modern black chair with a curved metal frame casting a shadow on a smooth concrete surface, partially illuminated by sunlight.

MR Side Chair \\\ Photo: Adam Jason Cohen

A single, modern chair with a brown woven seat and metal frame sits on a concrete surface near stairs with metal railings.

MR Armchair \\\ Photo: Adam Jason Cohen

Each color has a deep connection to the Bauhaus: the dark red is a nod to a hue originally offered on the MR chair, while the white and black shades are classic Bauhaus choices known for their ability to manipulate light and accentuate geometry.

A row of five modern, minimalist chairs against a concrete wall with a ventilation panel. The chairs are made of various materials including metal, wood, and plastic, each with a unique design.

From left to right: MR Side Chair, MR Table, Wassily Chair, Laccio Table – Small, Cesca Chair – Armless, and MR Armchair \\\ Photo: Adam Jason Cohen

To celebrate this vibrant new chapter, Knoll collaborated with photographer Adam Jason Cohen to showcase the updated pieces in a photoshoot across four Los Angeles locations, each celebrated for their curved architecture. The modern take on Bauhaus design places the iconic pieces in abstract urban settings, reflecting the movements ideals while giving them a contemporary refresh through color.

Three modern armchairs with tubular metal frames and sleek cushions in black and white against a plain white background.

Wassily Chairs

Jonathan Olivares, Knoll’s SVP of Design, explained the decision to introduce these finishes, saying, “When these pieces were first made by workshops in Germany their frames were painted, giving us a precedent to build on and license to take on the recoloring. Seeing the tubular structures in white, black, and red, the way these colors interact with the seats and backrests, completely changes our perception of the work and allows us to see them with fresh eyes.”