Office interirors inthe early 1940s were dominated by "period" and "antique" styles. Mass-produced furniture at the time caterred to a broad public of undiscriminating taste. As Florence Knoll wrote: "Either the interior spaces would match the architecture (and thus not function at all0, or they would function reasonably well - in which case the furnishings were not likely to match the style of the building."

This conflict was resolved by pioneer architects who designer structures that integrated exterior form and interior space. To achieve this armony, they also were compelled to design furniture.

Florence knoll added to this process a mandate to know the clients' requrements. She positioned the interior designer as a professional catalyst who tirelessly would extract from users their functional needs that would be sinthesized in furnishings, fabrics, graphics, art and colours that were meaningful and unified. Today, all these ideas are common practice.

Fifty years ago, they were revolutionary concepts. florence Knoll desks, conference tables and credenzas are now classics. More popular than ever. Serene functional objects of enduring beauty.