Two recently launched products are testament to a Knoll core ethos – an ethos that epitomises heritage, experience and enduring appeal with an eye to the future. 

Pivotal partnerships

One of the key elements of Knoll’s passion for heritage is its long history of working with globally respected designers – ranging from modernist stars such as Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe to contemporary masters including Jonathan Muecke and Willo Perron – and nurturing those relationships across the decades. One such partner is the renowned Finnish-American industrial designer and architect, Eero Saarinen, whose 1957 design of the Saarinen Pedestal Collection has been given a fresh perspective in 2025.

Comprising a dining, side, coffee and lounge table, this simple but sculptural collection has long been considered a classic of elegant and refined design. An exercise in Saarinen’s famously purist approach, it features a pedestal base, which allows physical freedom and the ability for the pieces to interact faultlessly with a wide variety of settings. 

Proving it is possible to improve on perfection, however, the collection now offers three new finishes, with an engineered wood veneer, a marble and an innovative laminate added to the options. Topo Noir Veneer is a grain in deep black stain that captures the richness of natural wood. Made from reconstituted wood remnants, it aligns with another key Knoll priority – sustainability – ensuring it is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also a responsible material choice. 

Emperador Light Marble is a neutral-toned marble with a light brown lacy veining, ideally suited to residential and hospitality interiors, while Modern Clay is a soft-to-the-touch laminate. Made from paper and thermosetting resins, it appears to be a solid material, and its durability makes it a natural choice for high-use environments.

Working with contemporary stars

Partnering with such legacy designers as Saarinen is reflected in Knoll’s continuing practice of collaborating with those at the very forefront of product design today. Nowhere is this more perfectly illustrated than in another recent launch – the Perron Pillo lounge chair. With both comfort and support optimised, the chair appears to be a free-standing stack of huge pillows, while offering a lounge-like setting conducive to relaxation and easy conversation. 

A multifaceted designer whose work can be seen on the runway, in art direction and in live events and large-scale sets, Perron calls the Perron Pillo lounge chair “a choose your own adventure experience”. 

Using the idea of the pillow as a building block, the chair comes in two different forms – a swivel chair with 360-degree rotation or a fixed chair with no rotation – and builds on the experience of the previously released Perron Pillo sofa. 

“We reduced the scale while maintaining the original spirit from the sofa,” says Perron. “You’re fully immersed in the Pillo-ness of the Pillo.” 

Immersion into comfort and legacy, the Saarinen Pedestal Collection and Perron Pillo chair are both exemplars of timeless design, the strength of working with design visionaries and creating for the future now.

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