Decades prior to the mass popularity of neo-industrial cement floors and furniture taking shape, there was Willy Guhl. The Swiss creative is considered one of the first “industrial” designers in his home country. He pioneered a rugged, organic style of modern furniture and decor — stylish planters, shapely seating and lots more — that remains widely coveted by many today.
Guhl was born in 1915 in Stein am Rhein and worked as a carpenter before beginning studies at the Zurich School of Applied Arts (known today as the Zurich University of the Arts), where he would go on to teach for nearly 40 years.
While Guhl is well-known for his range of provocative garden elements as well as his patio and outdoor furniture, today’s legion of mid-century modern enthusiasts are likely familiar with the designer’s iconic Loop chair (introduced in 1954). For this sculptural seat and other furnishings, Guhl tended toward industrial materials, which he bent and shaped into organic forms for a striking juxtaposition. Much of his work is crafted from either concrete or Eternit, a mixture of cement and asbestos developed by the Belgian company Etex, which, in the 1950s, commissioned Guhl and his students at the School of Applied Arts to conceive planters in the material. The resulting vessels — some hourglass-shaped, some in the form of handkerchiefs, all suitable for indoors or exteriors — remain some of Guhl’s most collectible pieces.
Guhl’s affiliation with the Swiss “neo-functional” movement centered on the idea of simplifying design without sacrificing form. According to Guhl, his mission was “achieving the most with the minimum of effort.”
In addition to his work as a designer, Guhl left his mark on subsequent creatives through his 39-year tenure at his alma mater, where he was instructor to the likes of Robert Haussmann, Kurt Thut and Bruno Rey. Modern-day shoppers at IKEA owe Guhl a debt of gratitude too. He was an early advocate of flat-pack furniture, championing its ability to make good design more widely accessible.
At its core, though, Guhl’s work was inherently human-centric: “At the center of my efforts, I put people and their living requirements,” he once said. “My products must be useful to people.” Guhl died in 2004 at the age of 89.
Find a range of vintage Willy Guhl furniture and decorative objects on 1stDibs.
Willy Guhl Loop Chair
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The iconic Willy Guhl Loop Chair, which is featured in the MoMA, is a sculptural lounge chair in fiberglass, distinguished by a richly weathered ...
Fiberglass
Melaina chair designed by Rodolfo Bonetto for Driade
By Driade, Rodolfo Bonetto
Located in BE
A striking Melaina chair designed by Rodolfo Bonetto for Driade in 1970. Crafted in fiberglass and finished in its original glossy white lacquer, this iconic Italian design embodies ...
Fiberglass
Willy Guhl Loop Chair 1st edition with original wood 1950
By Willy Guhl
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible original from the 50s Loop Chair by Willy Guhl with wood in the base in perfect conditions. Fantastic.
Concrete
Willy Guhl Loop Chair, Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Meet the chair that bends but never breaks the rules of design. Willy Guhl’s iconic Loop Chair is a single, continuous ribbon of sculptural cement. Its signature shape creates a play...
Cement
Romy Lounge Chair by Haymann Editions
Located in Geneve, CH
Romy Lounge Chair by Haymann Editions Dimensions: D 69 x W 69 x H 77 cm. Materials: Upholstery, wood. Available in different fabrics. This set of seats with voluptuous curves, crow...
Upholstery, Wood
Original Loop chair by Willy Guhl for Eternit
By Willy Guhl
Located in London, GB
Original Loop chair by Willy Guhl for Eternit. Dated from the 60’s this piece, features a rare cleaned patina.
Concrete
Lounge Chair 1990 -2000
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Lounge chair orientable chromed metal base From 1990 -2000.
Chrome
One of a Kind Sculptural 1990's Lounge Chair
Located in Weesp, NL
Introducing a Work of Art: The 1990's Lounge Chair Elevate your space with a true masterpiece of design - the one-of-a-kind 1990's lounge chair. This extraordinary piece transcends ...
Maple
Desalto STRONG SPECIAL lounge chair By Eugeni Quitllet
By Eugeni Quitllet, Desalto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Strong Special is my special collection, a natural continuity of Strong, a way to respond to functionality and elegance by taking the shortest path to the solution, but not the simp...
Aluminum, Steel
$9,882
H 31.5 in W 19.69 in D 27.56 in
Luxury Office Chair Ergonomic Design Muted by Joel Escalona No05
By Joel Escalona
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Luxury Office Chair Ergonomic Design Muted by Joel Escalona No05 — Dive into the world of understated elegance and architectural prowess with the Muted Lounge Chairs Collection by ...
Hardwood
Guhl Chair by Willy Guhl '1. Edition, Special Sealed, Safe Surface'
By Willy Guhl
Located in Zürich, CH
Here the silhouette is strong. It is presented through the outline and shape of the piece. The object exudes an aura. It’s not about the shape or about the material; its auratic qual...
Concrete
Miguel Fisac Toro Armchair / Authentic Mid-Century Modern
By Miguel Fisac
Located in Zürich, CH
Sculptural qualities define this object. A vivid dynamic between the different volumes and surfaces, showing different qualities from different angles. Its expressive form offers a complex plasticity shaped by light and shadows. Name Toro comes out from the shape of its backrest, which is shaped in an expressive manner, so to resemble horns of an ox, where the extensions serve the function of armrests. Unlike the seat, which complements the wooden frame with its shape, the backrest appears more autonomous. The seat is shaped so the back part is thinner than the front one, which allows the user to be absorbed and firmly seated within its backseat. The frame presents bars with curved surfaces, which improve the sculptural character of the piece. It is done in massive oak wood. All parts are authentic, including the upholstery which is done in firm red vintage leather. The chair is in its original condition and has softly been restored. I think this piece blends well with many interior styles. It can support pure, modern aesthetics by giving them a warmer character with its natural materials and expressive colour. As an armchair with a strong character, it is a powerful addition to your living space. P! Galerie’s selection is mainly focused on design masterpieces between 1918 and 1970. Apart from rare French mid-century modern design artefacts by Pierre Jeanneret, Jean Prouvé, Le Corbusier, and Charlotte Perriand, our offer includes masterpieces of historic importance and value by Gerrit Rietveld, Lina Bo Bardi, Marcel Breuer, Oscar Niemeyer, or, for example, Eileen Gray. Following all ethical and juridical requirements, all items from our carefully curated collection come with a certificate of authenticity. We try to preserve as much of patina as possible during the process of restoration, as it defines these historic pieces. Not only do we cooperate with museums and offer auction houses our services and expert opinion, we also look forward to welcoming you as a private collector and connoisseur. Literature: Miguel Fisac...
Leather, Wood
Pierre Jeanneret PJ-SI-60-A Lounge Chair / Authentic Mid-Century Modern
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Zürich, CH
The visible nonchalance here celebrates the lightness and the joy of life. It’s not about representation or impressing others. It demonstrates the Indian lifestyle, much more casual ...
Cane, Teak
Movéis Drago Chaise Longues Trident / Authentic Mid-Century Modern
By Móveis Drago
Located in Zürich, CH
Here the silhouette is strong. It is presented through the outline and shape of the piece. Sculptural qualities define this object. A vivid dynamic between the different volumes and ...
Wood, Upholstery
Eileen Gray, Safari Chair / Authentic
By Eileen Gray
Located in Zürich, CH
The visible nonchalance here celebrates the lightness and the joy of life. It’s not about representation or impressing others. It demonstrates a truly modern lifestyle, much more cas...
Leather, Wood
Marcel Breuer TI-1A Chair / Authentic Bauhaus Chair
By Marcel Breuer
Located in Zürich, CH
Sculptural qualities define this object. A vivid dynamic between the different volumes and surfaces, showing different qualities from different angles. Its expressive form offers a c...
Fabric, Oak
