Through both his bold furniture designs and his teaching and administrative positions within the architecture and design industries, the solution-oriented Friso Kramer helped elevate industrial design to a venerated place in the modernist canon.
While the mid-century years saw no shortage of function-minded modernists, Kramer may have been the most extreme of them. “If form does not contribute to the function, it has no right to exist,” the Dutch designer once said. Born in Amsterdam in 1922 to the pioneering architect Piet Kramer, Friso studied architecture, industrial design, electrical engineering and interior design. He cut his teeth in the studios of architect Jan Piet Kloos and interior designer Frans Paulussen, then, in 1948, went to work as a designer at the steel furniture manufacturer De Cirkel (part of the Ahrend group), where he would design some of his best-known work.
The 1953 Revolt chair, which is among his most celebrated seating and a darling of Dutch mid-century modernism, embodied Kramer’s function-first design; its skeletal, industrial form provides for maximum comfort and ergonomic support with minimal material. He joined forces with Wim Rietveld, son of celebrated Dutch modernist Gerrit Rietveld, for the 1958 Result chair, which married elements of the Revolt with forms from Rietveld’s Pyramid series. Kramer found numerous ways to riff on and perfect his brand of minimalism: The 1960 Resort and Repose armchairs demonstrate how he slightly tweaked the skeletal frames for different postures and uses.
In 1963, Kramer left Ahrend to found Total Design Studio with Wim Crouwel, Benno Wissing and Paul and Dick Schwartz. The firm grouped graphic, industrial and spatial design under one roof with the shared belief in functionalism. Though Total Design Studio is still in business today, Kramer left the company to return to Ahrend in 1971, serving as art director until 1983. Following Kramer’s death in 2019, Ahrend teamed up with Danish design brand HAY to relaunch the Result and Revolt chairs.
Find vintage Friso Kramer chairs, sofas, tables and other furniture on 1stDibs.
1950s Drafting Table by Kuhlmann & Nestler, Vintage
By Nestler, Franz Kuhlmann
Located in Neuss, NW
Unique drawing table from the renowned manufacturers Kuhlmann & Nestler dating back to the 1950s. The sturdy cast iron frame is complemented by a sophisticated counterweight system t...
Metal
$1,800
H 45 in W 43 in D 34 in
Original 1950s Wim Rietveld Friso Kramer Articulating Drafting Table Desk Patina
By Wim Rietveld
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Rare Wim Rietveld 'Reply' articulating drafting table. The hinging mechanism was a collaborative design with Wim Rietveld and Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel in 1958. Adjustable at...
Steel
Vintage Architect Drafting Table, circa 1940
Located in Napa, CA
Vintage metal and wood architect's or drafting table. Tubular steel with wood tabletop, circa 1940, mid-20th century.
Wood
$3,750
H 39 in W 36 in D 22 in
Vintage Adjustable Drafting Table by Versa Tables, Solid Wood, Mid-20th Century
Located in Rancho Cucamonga, CA
This beautifully constructed vintage drafting table by Versa Tables is a thoughtful example of mid-20th-century American functional design, created to serve both precision work and e...
Wood, Birch
$880
H 36.23 in W 25.2 in D 26.78 in
Mid-Century Adjustable Reading Table in Birch and Metal, Sweden, 1970s
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Odense, DK
A beautiful and functional Swedish reading table in birch and metal, dating from the second half of the 20th century. The table features a rectangular wooden top with a warm natural...
Metal
Mid Century Drafting Table by Anco C1940 Oak & Maple
By Anco Bilt
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Great size and construction using oak for the base and maple for the top. Iron adjustment hardware all in very good condition with age related wear. No abuse. Height reaches 44inches and is fully adjustable to all angles. Has the original vinyl cover.
Iron
An Adjustable Table by François Caruelle France 1950's
By Francois Caruelle
Located in HYÈRES, FR
An Adjustable Table by François Caruelle France 1950's. Rare model with its patinated copper base. Adjustable and tiltable wooden tray as needed. Height adjustable with an extenda...
Copper
Friso Kramer Reform Table Small Ahrend de Cirkel, 1963
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Friso Kramer
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Nice small and rare sized industrial 'Reform' table designed by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel, Holland 1955. This dining table was a part of the Reform table program that was designed by Friso Kramer in 1955. The Reform series contained a lot of variety of tables in different sizes and editions to the client’s needs. One thing was always the same, the structure of the base, applied in several different sized and shaped tables. This base was a folded metal frame which was light but also very strong. The tops varied from hardcore, linoleum, Formica and wood. Whatever the client wanted. This has a rectangular shaped top, finished with white formica and an aluminum edge. The table has a grey painted frame in good condition with normal wear and losses. This table comes from TH Delft...
Metal, Aluminum
Vintage Drafting Table, Early 20th Century, FR-0114
Located in Longmont, CO
Vintage Drafting Table, Early 20th Century. Item #: FR-0114 Dimensions: 59"W X 32.875"D X 44”H Springs will need some adjustments / repair -...
Iron
Friso Kramer Revolt folding table Ahrend Netherlands 1955
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Friso Kramer
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
This ultra-rare folding table by Friso Kramer, designed in 1955 for Ahrend de Cirkel in Holland, is a true collector’s piece from his renowned *Reform* table program. The Reform seri...
Metal
1st Edition Friso Kramer Result Teacher's Desk for Ahrend de Cirkel
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Friso Kramer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare first edition teacher's desk from Friso Kramer's Result series, produced by Ahrend de Cirkel in the Netherlands. The frame is dove gray enameled metal with Prouvé-inspired sled ...
Metal, Enamel
Mid-Century Friso Kramer "Reform" Industrial Dining or Work Table
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Friso Kramer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sleek, Mid-Century, Reform table designed by Friso Kramer for Ahrend Circle in 1955. Industrial enameled gray metal frame with faux teak wood Formica top...
Metal
1960s Willy van der Meeren & Eric Lemesre Teal Tubax Desk
By Willy Van Der Meeren, Tubax
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Desk by Willy van der Meeren and Eric Lemesre for Tubax, Belgium, circa 1960s. The frame is solid tubular metal finished in teal blue, with a crossed diagonal leg structure on each s...
Metal
1960s Friso Kramer Style Industrial Desk Teak Formica Top by Werzalit
By Friso Kramer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Industrial work desk attributed to the Friso Kramer style manufactured by Werzalit in Austria during the 1960s. The design features a compact cantilever frame construction in dark gr...
Metal
Rare Square-ish Friso Kramer REFORM Table for Ahrend de Cirkel
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Friso Kramer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare, Dutch Mid-Century, REFORM table by Friso Kramer, arguably Netherland's greatest designer of the post-war era. Designed for the acclaimed Ahrend de Cirkel company and manufactur...
Metal, Aluminum
Mid-Century Executive Desk by Friso Kramer & Coen de Vries, 1950s
By EEKA, Friso Kramer, Coen de Vries
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A striking example of Dutch mid-century modern design, this executive desk was designed by Friso Kramer and Coen de Vries for EEKA (Eindhovense Eisen- en Kantoorartikelenfabriek) in ...
Steel
