A living icon reimagined
Knoll presents a first-of-its-kind installation at the Philip Johnson Glass House. In celebration of its annual Summer Party, the Glass House was reimagined in ways that brought new appreciation to the founding intention of the property: a space that hosts convergences of artists, makers, and ideas.
The Glass House
Designed by Philip Johnson in 1949, the Glass House was conceived as a pavilion for viewing the surrounding landscape. He furnished it with Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona Collection—re-envisioned in new colors and materials for the Knoll installation—carefully arranged on a rug. Climbing onto this ‘raft,’ as Johnson called it, creates the ultimate arrival point, “which floats in its separate sea of dark brick.” Additional Knoll pieces were used throughout the house, in which Johnson lived until 2005.
Learn more at theglasshouse.org
Recast in bold colors and materials
To make room for this one-day installation, original furnishings by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Florence Knoll were safely stored by Cadogan Tate fine art movers. The interior was then re-envisioned through iconic pieces in bold new colors and materials, while keeping Philip Johnson’s historic floor plan and spatial relationships intact. Dozie Kanu Tables and pieces by Eero Saarinen were also included. Visitors were invited to sit—normally forbidden—and experience the Glass House interior like never before.
See the installation in NYC
The Knoll pieces displayed at the Glass House event—many of which are in custom finishes—can now be experienced in person at the Knoll New York store, where they will be exhibited through August 2026.
How to order
The Knoll pieces created for the Glass House installation can be custom ordered through Knoll stores in these five cities.
New York City +1 212-343-4190
London +44 (0) 2072366655
Milan +39 02 7222 2932
Paris +33 (0) 1 44 18 19 99
Mexico City +52 1 55 4035 1178