Designed by Richard Schultz
Richard Schultz designed the 1966 Collection at the request of Florence Knoll, who wanted well-designed outdoor furniture that would withstand the corrosive salt air at her home in Florida. The Collection was the first truly modern outdoor collection and has been the category standard ever since.
The 1966 Collection is a part of the Permanent Collection at the Museum of Modern Art and has been re-engineered to incorporate the best modern materials, including Teflon thread, powder coat paint and stainless steel. Bright new powder coat finishes are now available. Fresh looks on a classic collection.
Product story
From designer Richard Schultz:
- In October 1962 I began working on an aluminum outdoor group. Florence Knoll moved to Florida and said, 'You have to make some decent outdoor furniture, something that is made out of materials that won't rust and corrode.' That appealed to me, and I started working.
- I experimented with button connectors for the slings, padded slings and plastic beading around the tabletops. Ultimately I devised concealed connectors, which made the chairs more elegant.
- In April 1963 Florence Knoll approved the outdoor program. I had to develop all the patterns for all the cast parts. It took me a long time to develop the collection, as there wasn't a whole team of people to help me. Details were carefully considered. We spent so much time refining it. That's why the furniture still looks fresh.
- In March 1966 the furniture was introduced. The furniture didn't have extraneous curves. Most outdoor furniture those days was designed to look like it was designed before the French Revolution, with stamped out metal, bunches of flowers and leaves; it was very much period looking furniture. This was the first outdoor furniture that enthusiasts of modern design could say, 'this is a breath of fresh air.'
Richard Schultz
- Richard Schultz's first assignment at Knoll was to assist in the development and production of the Bertoia Wire Collection. After working on this project for 18 months in Europe, he returned to the U.S. and joined the Design Development Group at the Knoll factory in East Greenville, PA.
- Schultz is best known for his outdoor furniture designs. His graceful Petal Table, introduced in 1960, received the design award from Industrial Design magazine. The steel wire-formed 715 Chaise Lounge, introduced the following year to complement the Bertoia collection, was selected in 1963 by the Museum of Modern Art for its permanent collection of contemporary furniture. After Florence Knoll moved to a seaside home in Florida, she started sending the design team rusty pieces of furniture, asking them to develop something that could perform in the salty climate. Schultz responded with the aluminum Leisure Collection in 1966.
Additional Info
Construction and Details
- Various sizes available, including bar-height tables
- Tabletop available in white fiberglass, porcelain enamel on steel and vertical grain teak
- Frame is welded cast and extruded aluminum finished in weather resistant polyester powder coat available in a variety of colors
- Stainless steel supports and connectors
- Wheels are cast aluminum with rubber tires and differential axle
- Glides included
- Optional fitted outdoor cover available
Last Updated 4 months
