Ludwig Mies van der Rohe was a great 20th-century German designer and architect. He designed one of the most iconic pieces of design and vintage furniture, the Barcelona armchair, also known as the Barcelona chaise longue. He designed it for the German pavilion at the Barcelona World Fair in 1929. It has been produced since 1953 by Knoll in line with the designer's original specifications. The Knoll logo and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe's signature are engraved on the base of each chair. Opulent yet resolutely modern in appearance, this Barcelona lounge chair takes its shape from the Roman curule folding chair. Its rectangular silhouette, wider than it is tall, captivates with its harmonious proportions. The prestige of royal guests is evoked by the slender chrome-plated flat steel base: its X shape is reminiscent of the "curules", the antique seats used by Roman dignitaries. Subtly, this design gives the chair the air of a modern throne. The frame and base of this Barcelona armchair from Knoll are made from polished chrome-plated flat-drawn steel. The cushions are upholstered using 40 individual panels cut, hand-welted and hand-tufted from a single hide. The cushioning on the seat and backrest adapt to fit the curve of the frame. The side and edges of the upholstery straps are dyed to match the chosen upholstery colour.
Founded in 1938 in the United States, Knoll is a manufacturer of designer furniture and office equipment, where excellence is a fundamental principle. Since its inception, Knoll has strived to innovate and modernize design. For the furniture manufacturer Knoll, beautiful design is synonymous with a profitable business. Among its iconic creations are the Saarinen Table and the Tulip Chair, designed by Eero Saarinen. Today, it is convinced that its principle works, as Knoll International has been, for over 70 years, one of the leading companies in design.