Designer · USA · 1922–2003
Donald Knorr
Donald Knorr (1922–2003) – American architect and designer of the Model 132 chair, awarded in MoMA’s “Low-Cost Furniture” competition and made by Knoll.
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About the designer
- Lifetime
- 1922–2003
- Country
- USA
Donald Knorr was born on 25 December 1922 in Chicago. In 1947, he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Illinois and attended courses at Cranbrook Academy of Art. He worked at Eero Saarinen's office (Saarinen and Associates), and later at SOM.
In 1948, he designed the Model 132 chair, which won a joint first prize in the seating category in the Museum of Modern Art’s “Low-Cost Furniture” competition in New York; according to Knoll, the competition took place in 1948. From 1950 to 1952, the chair was produced by Knoll. The example in the MoMA collection (no. 351.1950, a gift from the manufacturer) is described as a side chair from 1948–1950, made of Versalite plastic and chrome-plated steel.
From 1951 to 1957, Knorr ran the Donald Knorr and Associates office in San Francisco, and from 1958, Knorr-Elliott and Associates. In 1963, he received AIA awards. The Model 132 chair is documented both by its manufacturer, Knoll, and in the MoMA collection catalogue. He died on 23 October 2003, aged 80.
Key designs
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Model 132
chair produced in 1950–1952; award in MoMA’s “Low-Cost Furniture” competition; in the MoMA collection
