Warren Platner, table for Knoll

WARREN PLATNER (U.S., 1919–2006) for Knoll.
Coffee table designed in 1966.
Nickel-plated steel base with glass top.
New, in its original packaging. The first two photos are of a model, not the table in question.
Manufactured by Knoll International.
Brand new.
Measurements: 91.5 cm in diameter, 38.5 cm in height.

Warren Platner was a leading figure in design during the 1960s, revitalizing American aesthetics through his furniture and interiors. Behind each of his works—such as the interiors of Windows on the World or the restaurant in New York’s North Tower—there was always a clear architectural concept. In 1966, Platner designed a collection of sculptural furniture for the American manufacturer Knoll that would become an icon of design. Using steel wire rod, he developed an innovative concept to create a legless chair that was both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

Warren Platner studied at Cornell University, graduating in 1941 with a degree in architecture. He worked with legendary architects Raymond Loewy, Eero Saarinen, and I. M. Pei before opening his own firm. His notable contributions throughout his architectural career include the Georg Jensen Design Center and the Windows on the World restaurant at the World Trade Center, both in New York.
However, it was the furniture collection he designed for the Knoll brand that brought Platner worldwide recognition. The collection in question, named after its designer, is an icon of modern furniture. Platner personally developed production techniques for each chair, which feature more than a hundred steel rods.