Who Makes the Barcelona Chair?

By Michael Ferguson

The Barcelona Chair is an iconic piece of modern furniture that has been in circulation for almost a century. It was originally designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich for the German Pavilion at the 1929 International Exposition in Barcelona, Spain. The chair received widespread acclaim for its sleek and minimalist design, and it has since become a symbol of modernist architecture and design.

But who actually makes the Barcelona Chair? The answer lies with the furniture company Knoll, which holds the exclusive rights to manufacture and sell the chair in the United States and Canada.

Knoll was founded in 1938 by Hans Knoll, a German immigrant to the United States who had a passion for modernist furniture. Knoll initially focused on importing European furniture designs to America, but he soon began collaborating with American designers to create his own unique pieces.

In 1948, Knoll acquired the rights to produce Mies van der Rohe’s furniture designs, including the Barcelona Chair. Over the years, Knoll has refined its manufacturing process to ensure that each chair is made to exacting standards of quality and craftsmanship.

Today, every Barcelona Chair produced by Knoll is made by skilled artisans using only premium materials. The frame is constructed from hand-buffed stainless steel that is welded and polished by hand for a flawless finish. The cushions are made from individually cut and sewn sections of full-grain leather that are filled with high-density foam for exceptional comfort and durability.

Knoll offers a range of customization options for customers who want to make their Barcelona Chairs truly their own. Customers can choose from dozens of different leather colors and finishes, as well as different frame finishes such as chrome or gold-plated steel.

Overall, if you’re looking to purchase a genuine Barcelona Chair, you can’t go wrong with Knoll. Their commitment to quality craftsmanship ensures that each chair will be a timeless piece of furniture that you can enjoy for years to come.