Dezeen Magazine

Ferdinand Kramer collection by e15

Cologne 2013: German furniture brand e15 has launched re-editions of a chair, sofa, daybed and stackable side table designed by German modernist Ferdinand Kramer in the first half of the twentieth century (+ slideshow).

Ferdinand Kramer collection by e15

The four pieces are being presented by e15 at trade fair imm cologne this week.

Ferdinand Kramer collection by e15

Among them is the FK09 Westhausen sofa, designed by Ferdinand Kramer in 1926 as part of the major New Frankfurt housing programme. The grey sofa is divided into three seats and comes with either solid oak or walnut feet.

Ferdinand Kramer collection by e15

Also dating from 1926 is the FK10 Weissenhof armchair, created for a Mies van der Rohe apartment in the influential Die Wohnung exhibition of modernist interiors. The grey armchair has a wide, deep seat and also comes with either solid oak or walnut feet.

Ferdinand Kramer collection by e15

The FK11 Senckenburg daybed was designed in 1952 for Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University of Frankfurt am Main, and has a wedge-shaped headrest that folds up into an armrest.

Ferdinand Kramer collection by e15

The FK12 FortyForty, designed in 1945, is a stackable side table in powder-coated steel. Removable and invertible trays in coloured steel or marble fit into the top and bottom of the frame, allowing it to be stacked up to five tables high.

Ferdinand Kramer collection by e15

The first eight pieces of the Ferdinand Kramer collection, including chairs, stools and a coffee table, were presented by e15 in Milan in April last year.

Ferdinand Kramer collection by e15

Born in 1898 in Frankfurt, Kramer was a key modernist architect and functionalist designer. He worked with architect and civic planner Ernst May on the New Frankfurt housing project and later became the director of building at the city's Goethe University.

Ferdinand Kramer collection by e15

Other products from e15 we've featured on Dezeen include a collection of steel and marble side tables and a carved walnut jewellery case – see all our stories about e15.

Ferdinand Kramer collection by e15

Other designs launched at imm cologne this year include a DIY curtain kit by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec and a ceramic lamp by Benjamin Hubert – see all our stories from imm cologne.

Ferdinand Kramer collection by e15

Photographs are by Ingmar Kurth.

Here's some more information from E15:


At imm cologne 2013, e15 debuts four further re-editions by the renowned modernist German architect and designer Ferdinand Kramer.

Coinciding with his 115th anniversary, e15 is proud to further expand the exceptional Ferdinand Kramer® collection with four re-editions, all of which emphasise the clear and confident design aesthetic of the German modernist architect.

Working closely with Kramer's family and the archives, e15 introduces the upholstered Sofa 
FK09 Westhausen and armchair FK10 Weissenhof from 1926 as well as the daybed FK11 Senckenberg from 1952, representing Ferdinand Kramer's original and enduring design sensibility. The flexible and stackable side table FK12 Fortyforty from 1945 sets individual accents with its playful possibilities.

Ferdinand Kramer collection by e15

Sofa FK09 Westhausen, 1926

Designed in 1926 for private residences as part of the significant 'New Frankfurt' housing programme, the sofa FK09 Westhausen represents Ferdinand Kramer's visionary and enduring design aesthetic. Its straight lines and generous proportions convey a composed and inviting character for the upholstered sofa, thus allowing for application in diverse environments. Divided into three seats and with continuous back upholstery, superior wave springs ensure ample seating comfort. The sofa FK09 WESTHAUSEN is available with solid oak or walnut feet.

Armchair FK10 Weissenhof, 1926

Designed in 1926 for the Hausrat GmbH, the armchair FK10 Weissenhof is an unmistakable example of Ferdinand Kramer's visionary and concise design ability. With its clear and confident lines the upholstered armchair is generously proportioned with a wide, deep seat. In 1927, Ferdinand Kramer was commissioned to plan two interiors of the legendary 'Weissenhofsiedlung' and specified the armchair FK10 Weissenhof for one of the apartments designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe in the internationally significant Werkbund exhibition, 'Die Wohnung'. Newly equipped with superior wave springs, FK10 Weissenhof is ideally suited for residential and contract use. Available with solid oak or walnut legs.

Daybed FK11 Senckenberg, 1952

Designed in 1952 as part of the furnishing for the Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University in Frankfurt am Main, the FK11 Senckenburg daybed is an extension of Ferdinand Kramer’s elegant and enduring upholstered furnitu- re series from 1926 with the sofa FK09 Westhausen and armchair FK10 Weissenhof. The wedge-shaped, upholstered headrest can be folded up into a rectangular armrest and accounts for the versatile charm of this daybed. Superior wave springs ensure seating or lying comfort. Available with solid oak or walnut legs.

Side table FK12 FortyForty, 1945
The flexible and stackable side table FK12 FortyForty in powder-coated steel is a significant example of Ferdinand Kramer's fascination with variability and adaptability of multi-purpose furniture. Designed in 1945 during his time in America, the playful FK12 Fortyforty expresses lightness and elegance despite its strict geometrical shape. Removable and invertible trays for top and bottom of the frame in coloured steel or marble offer a multitude of possibilities and set individual accents. Stackable to up to five, the versatile character of the FK12 Fortyforty side table allows for an application in diverse environments, either as a stand-alone piece or also in combination with other furniture from the e15 collection.