Charles Pfister Ottoman

Founded in 1938, Knoll uses modern design to connect people to their work, their lives, their world. Throughout its history, by embracing the creative genius at the Bauhaus School and the Cranbrook Academy of Art, Knoll has been recognized for creating residential and workplace furnishings that inspire, evolve, and endure. Today, Knoll’s commitment to modern design and dedication to sustainability have yielded a unique portfolio of products that continue to respond and adapt to changing needs.

Knoll has always remained true to the Bauhaus design philosophy that modern furniture should complement architectural space, not compete with it. At Knoll, modern design has been the guiding principle, and a passion shared by customers and design professionals worldwide. 

After earning a B.A. in Architecture from the University of California, Charles Pfister worked on the staff of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill’s interior design department for 15 years. It was during this period that he created the Pfister Lounge Collection for Knoll, with production beginning in 1971.

In 1981, he established his own firm with offices in San Francisco and London. Throughout his career, Pfister earned recognition for his work in interior design, graphics, product design, and architecture, completing multiple global projects, including the Royal Dutch Shell headquarters in The Hague, Deutsche Bank public spaces in Frankfurt, Citicorp headquarters in London, and the United Overseas Bank in Singapore.