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.
Friso Kramer 'Reiger' Drafting Table for Ahrend de Cirkel, 1963
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare 'Reiger' drafting table designed by Friso Kramer for Dutch manufacturer Ahrend de Cirkel in 1963. The name translates to 'Heron,' a reference to the table's tall, lean silhouett...
Metal, Enamel
$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
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
$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
$1,880Sale Price|20% Off
H 30.71 in W 47.25 in D 24.41 in
Dutch Industrial Design Desk by Wim Rietveld for Ahrend De Cirkel, 1960's
By Wim Rietveld
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Midcentury Dutch Industrial Design Desk by Wim Rietveld and Friso Kramer for Ahrend De Cirkel. Made in the Netherlands, late 1950's, early 1960's. A RARE and hard to find des...
Metal, Steel
Wim Rietveld small Pyramid table Ahrend Netherlands 1960
By Wim Rietveld, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
This rare ‘Pyramid’ table, designed by Wim Rietveld and produced by Ahrend de Cirkel in the Netherlands in 1960, is a striking example of minimalist and industrial design. With its V-shaped black metal frame and an original textured white Formica top, the table exudes timeless appeal. The slightly textured surface of the Formica adds a refined detail to its functional design, making it both practical and visually appealing. Rietveld’s ‘Pyramid’ table draws inspiration from Jean Prouvé’s Compass table...
Metal
Architects Drawing Board By Riefler Circa 1950s
Located in Gloucester, GB
Architects Drawing Board By Riefler Circa 1950s - Articulated cast iron base in green - Height adjustable and pivotable - Pine board - Made by Riefler - German ~ 1950s - 150cm wide...
Cast Iron
$10,023
H 47.25 in W 61.82 in D 33.08 in
1960s Action Office Standing Desk by George Nelson, Herman Miler production
By George Nelson, Herman Miller, Robert Propst
Located in Renens, CH
1960s Action Office Standing Desk by George Nelson, Herman Miler production George Nelson, architect, designer and author is famous for several ...
Metal
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
Friso Kramer Revolt folding table Ahrend Netherlands 1955
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
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
XL Dutch Reply Architect Drafting Table Friso Kramer, Wim Rietveld Ahrend, 1959
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Friso Kramer, Wim Rietveld
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Wim Rietveld & Friso Kramer Drafting Table for Ahrend de Cirkel, 1959 **The Netherlands** A rare and highly sought-after Dutch modernist drafting table designed by Wim Rietvel...
Steel
Danish Design Grete Jalk Sofa Table, Model 622 / 54 Teak France & Son, 1960s
By Grete Jalk, France & Søn
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Very nice design coffee table designed by Grete Jalk in the 1960s. The legs are made of solid teak and the top is made of teak veneer. It is as if the table top is floating on the...
Teak
Extreme Rare Wim Rietveld Oase Ahrend 2-Seat Sofa Midcentury Design
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Wim Rietveld
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
The "Oase" sofa, designed by the legendary Wim Rietveld for Ahrend de Cirkel, is a piece of mid-century modern furniture that has been celebrated for its timeless design and extraord...
Steel
100+ Roland Rainer Stacking Chairs – Wiener Stadthalle, 1952 – Bent Plywood & Wo
By Roland Rainer
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
100+ Roland Rainer Stacking Chairs – Wiener Stadthalle, 1952 – Bent Plywood & Wooden A-Frame Exceptional find: a cohesive lot of more than 100 original Roland Rainer stacking chairs...
Wood, Plywood
Mid-Century Brutlist Chairs Arch Cut-Outs Bobbin Legs
By Goran Malmvall
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Beautiful Mid-Century Brutlist Chairs with Arch Cut-Outs and Bobbin Legs Fit perfectly with the style of designers such as Axel Einar Hjorth, Charlotte Perriand, Jean Touret and Char...
Oak, Plywood
Set of 2 Vico Magistretti / Charlotte Perriand Style Rush Dining Room Chairs
By Charlotte Perriand, Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Beautiful design dining room chairs dating from the ‘70s. These chairs are often attributed to Vico Magistretti, produced by Cassina, made in Italy. Made of solid black coated woo...
Wood, Rush
