Florence Knoll

Acquired directly from Alcoa by the present owner

Design Forecast, vol. 1, 1959, p. 19 (for an Alcoa executive office including related custom Florence Knoll designs)
Bernard P. Spring, "Alcoa's Big Experiment—Ten Years Later," Architectural Forum, December 1962, p. 19 (for a discussion of Alcoa headquarters)
Beatriz Colomina, Annemarie Brennan and Jeannie Kim, eds., Cold War Hothouses:  Inventing Postwar Culture from Cockpit to Playboy, New York, 2004, pp. 70-73 (for a discussion of Alcoa's headquarters completed in 1952) 

Overall very good original condition. This chair was specially adapted by the Knoll Design Group for the new Alcoa headquarters. This sofa is distinguished by the inclusion of aluminum legs which was only done for this particular commission. The aluminum legs with minor rubbing to the finish and a few shallow surface scratches consistent with age. The upholstery on the sofa appears original showing light fraying to the piping and a minor loss to the outer edge of the piping on the proper left armrest. The upholstery presents with minor evidence of sun-fading, but overall the vibrant red color has been retained, as seen in the catalogue illustration. The foam cushioning of the seat shows evidence of compression from use as seen in the catalogue illustration. The foam cushioning throughout with significant hardening due to age and likely would need to be replaced if one were interested in using the sofa. A rare opportunity to acquire a commissioned work by Florence Knoll executed for this design-conscious firm.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The Aluminum Company of America prominently supported new types of industrial design during the 1950s and 1960s through their Design Forecast program that sponsored designers to experiment with aluminum in everyday designs, using the material in anything from housewares to ball gowns.

Frank L. Magee, president of Alcoa, clearly stated the company's focus in a May 1962 issue of Industrial Design, namely that Alcoa "is betting our corporate future on industrial design:  a significant portion of our sales effort aims to provide information and assistance to the industrial designer, so he may make intelligent use of our product."   The company's headquarters in Pittsburgh was constructed with a diamond-pattern aluminium facade, and the interior furnishing commissioned from Knoll, Inc. for the offices also incorporated the light-weight, durable material.   Well-known for their innovative use of aluminum, the company was a prominent figure in the creation of this market from the ninteenth century even up to the present day.   Alcoa's focus on innovative industrial materials aligned well with the forward-thinking aesthetic choices of Knoll, as reflected in the two present lots, which employ aluminum legs and mounts in addition to a wood tabletop designed by George Nakashima.