Harry Bertoia’s delicately industrial wire side chairs are among the most recognized achievements of mid-century modern design. Like Saarinen and Mies, Bertoia found sublime grace in an industrial material, elevating it beyond its normal utility into a work of art. The entire 1952 wire collection is an astounding study in space, form and function by one of the master sculptors of the last century and a proud part of the Knoll heritage.

Innovative, comfortable and strikingly handsome, Harry Bertoia's side chair's delicate filigree appearance belies its strength and durability.

The Bertoia side chair is available with a seat pad or fully upholstered. A back pad is also an option for the version with seat pad. The Knoll logo is stamped into the base of the chair.

Details
  • Category
    Cafe and Restaurant Chairs
  • Range
    MillerKnoll
  • Brand
    Knoll
  • Designer
    Harry Bertoia
Specifications

Dimensions:

  • W540 x D580 x H730 x SH460mm

Frame: Seat and base are constructed of welded steel rods. Seat pad snaps on to the frame with domed snap buttons

Finish: Polished chrome and gold finishes are plated. Black and white finishes are powder coat

Detail: Knoll logo stamped into the back of the base. Plastic glides included on sled base to protect floors

Design Story

Characteristic of the early environment at Knoll, Hans and Florence never demanded that Bertoia design furniture, but instead encouraged him to explore whatever he liked. They simply asked that if he arrived at something interesting, to show them. Bertoia later explained the process:

“I went around and discovered, quite soon, that I was not the man to do research. My feeling was that had to come from an inward direction. I began to rely once more on my own body. I began to think in terms of what I would like as a chair. It started very slowly…I came into rod or wire, whether bent of straight. I seemed to find myself at home. It was logical to make an attempt utilizing the wire.

"Once more, I went through the procedure of positioning, considering the possibility of shapes, then relating, of course, what the wire itself could be, what shapes it might take, whether there were any tools to do it with. There are many aspects of the same things coming into one’s mind, but the very first thing was whether a shape would come up that would begin to serve as a chair, sitting on it, etc. One was taking the shape of a side chair; another was beginning to extend to care of the head. This developed to the point where something could be held on to…You know, when you have something in front of you that can really physically be held, it becomes easier to make changes.”

Unison Workspaces
Auckland
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About the
Seller

Unison is recognised as one of New Zealand market’s leading quality providers of interior commercial furniture and lighting.

Our aim is to provide design led, future proofed, quality, commercial products from world renown suppliers; to help customers create healthy, fun, collaborative, flexible and engaging environments.

We aim to help businesses create a workplace which will:

  • Enhance the wellbeing and health of the workforce
  • Attract and retain top employees
  • Enhance collaboration, innovation and productivity
  • Improve bottom line performance

We view the workplace as an “evolution” and never a one-time event, and recognise the importance of offering flexible quality solutions within a range of products and services, allowing our customer’s investment to evolve along with their business strategy.

With over 25 years of experience in the field and access to the world’s leading products, the team behind Unison bring with them the skills, knowledge and passion to help create spaces that drive productivity and long-term value.  Unison works in partnership with you on every aspect of your project from planning through to specifying, delivery and after sales support.

We’ve worked with businesses of all sizes and their A&D firms to understand, plan, design, develop, and build great workplaces.

And we recognise the importance of providing exceptional customer service so at we are focused on operational excellence and an enhanced customer experience.

“Research confirms what we know from common sense: a happy and healthy workplace leads to contented, productive staff, improved attraction and retention, stronger financial performance, faster growth, and an effective competitive edge”.

In Unison with Suppliers

Unison has exclusive distribution agreements in New Zealand with a range of world-leading international furniture manufacturers, so we can provide businesses with the right furnishing solution that best fits their needs.

The team at Unison have many years of experience working with leading suppliers, both locally and internationally.  From international manufacturers such as Herman Miller, Walter Knoll, Palau, Howe, Segis, Billiani and Muuto, through to local custom manufacturing solutions.

These manufacturers specialise in their respective niches and produce the best options available in the market, this includes:

Herman Miller – workstations, ergonomic seating, meeting room tables, classic designs – Eames, Nelson.

Walter Knoll – extensive soft-seating range German designed but manufactured in Australia.

Muuto - affordable luxury - a complete collection of Scandinavian furniture and lighting

Palau – World leading manufacturer of collaborative solutions and acoustic booths..

Howe – famous 40/4 chair and elegant demountable boardroom room tables

Segis and Billiani   – all offer collections of beautifully designed mixed material products for café and contract spaces.