Harry Bertoia’s 1950 experiment with bending metal rods into practical art produced a revered collection of seating, including the elegant bench. Innovative and strikingly handsome, the bench consists of wood slats spanning a metal frame. Platform bench cushions are available separately up to a maximum of three. A half-century has passed since Harry Bertoia first began to experiment with his favorite medium. Today, the Bertoia collection remains a symbol of ingenuity and creative spirit.
Construction:- Solid wood slats are pre-treated to prevent sagging or warping
- Frame is made of welded steel with rods polished in chrome
- Frame is scratch, chip and chemical resistant with stainless steel connections and four plastic glides
Upholstery:- Up to three cushions per bench can be used
- Firm foam cushions can be upholstered in a variety of KnollTextiles or Spinneybeck leather, all with welt detail
Finishes:- Slats are available in black or white painted finish
Italian sculptor, university lecturer and furniture designer Harry Bertoia displayed a unique stroke of genius with his patented Diamond Chair for Knoll International in 1952. Bertoia was an inventor of form and an enricher of furniture design with his introduction of a new material: he turned industrial wire rods into a design icon. Educated at Detroit Technical High School, the Detroit School of Arts and Crafts and Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, Bertoia taught metal crafts at Cranbrook. He worked with Charles Eames to develop his signature molded plywood chairs. Eero Saarinen commissioned him to design a metal sculptured screen for the General Motors Technical Center in Detroit. His awards include the craftsmanship medal from the American Institute of Architects, as well as AIA’s Gold Medal.
The Bertoia Bench is available in about 12 weeks.