Ferdinand Kramer (1898 – 1985) German Architect and Designer

Ferdinand kramer products
Ferdinand kramer products

Ferdinand Kramer (1898 – 1985) was a German architect and functionalist designer.

Biography

Kramer’s father was the owner of the most well-known of Frankfurt hat shops. In 1916, immediately after school, Kramer was drawn into military service and remained a soldier through the end of the First World War. The following year he trained at the Bauhaus for a few months before quitting, disillusioned with the technical level of the training, then began a three-year architectural study in Munich with Theodor Fischer. With the lack of architectural commissions during this period of inflation, he concentrated on furniture designs for Thonet and metal utensils, for example, his “Kramer Oven”, a sheet-metal furnace. Kramer returned to Frankfurt in 1922.

From 1925 through 1930, Kramer worked for an architect and civic planner, Ernst May, building and furnishing the housing projects of New Frankfurt and was a contributor to the second CIAM conference.

Social Housing in Germany

The creation of inexpensive housing was one of the main goals of architecture between the world wars. The goal was an apartment for minimum living standards in which everything would be inexpensive as possible. Kramer designed inexpensive and practical and household fittings and light fixtures and interchangeable plywood furniture for small rooms.

Move to the United States

After disputes with the Nazi regime and professional disqualification, Kramer emigrated to the United States in 1938 and worked on a variety of projects, including work with Norman bel Geddes on designs for the New York World’s Fair of 1939, designs for inexpensive “knock-down” furniture which anticipates today’s commercial “flat-pack” furniture, and commissions from his friend Theodor Adorno for the Institute for Social Research during its New York years. Kramer became a naturalized US citizen in 1945.

Return to Germany

On his return to Germany in 1952, Kramer taught and served as the director of building at the Goethe University Frankfurt until his retirement into private practice in 1964. Paul Friedrich Posenenske followed the architectural language introduced by Ferdinand Kramer at the university buildings. The university moves step by step to the new Poelzig/Westend and Nieder-Eschbach campuses, so many of the old buildings in Bockenheim will be sold or even torn down although they are landmarked buildings.

Recognition

From December 9, 1982, to January 23, 1983, a retrospective of Kramer’s work was shown at Bauhaus Archive in Berlin and Amerikahaus in Frankfurt. From June 5 to August 4, 1991, the Museum of Design, Zürich put on the retrospective exhibition “Ferdinand Kramer – Der Charme des Systematischen” which was also shown in Frankfurt at the Deutscher Werkbund (in cooperation with the DAM, Deutsches Architekturmuseum) and later at the Bauhaus Dessau. The Frankfurt University archive keeps examples of furniture Kramer explicitly designed for the university. Other museums such as the Museum für Angewandte Kunst, Frankfurt, the Thonet Museum in Frankenberg as well as the Vitra Design Museum, in Weil am Rhein have examples of Kramer’s furniture.

Kramer’s door handle design and designs for several pieces of furniture have been re-released.

Ferdinand Kramer in our partner stores

Sources

Byars, M., & Riley, T. (2004). The design encyclopedia. Laurence King Publishing. https://amzn.to/3ElmSlL

Hauffe, T. (1998). Design. London: Laurence King. https://amzn.to/3y7vFWw

Wikipedia contributors. (2020, August 16). Ferdinand Kramer. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 21:25, December 30, 2021, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ferdinand_Kramer&oldid=973330782

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    Stuart Ash, a pioneer of Canadian graphic design, co-founded Gottschalk + Ash International in 1966, creating transformative visual identities like the Canadian Centennial symbol. His minimalist designs, garnering many awards, significantly elevated Canadian design’s global status and continue to influence new generations of designers.Read More →

  • Fred Lowen: A Pioneer in Australian Furniture Design

    Fred Lowen: A Pioneer in Australian Furniture Design

    Fred Lowen, a German-Australian designer and Holocaust survivor, left a significant legacy in Australian design. His celebrated collections including SC Series, Narvik, Fleronde and Twen, intertwine personal history, aesthetics, and functionality. His life and work represents the transformative power of design. Read More →

  • Bruce Porter: A Multifaceted Genius in Art and Design

    Bruce Porter: A Multifaceted Genius in Art and Design

    Bruce Porter, a multi-talented American artist renowned for contributions in painting, sculpture, stained-glass design, writing, mural painting, landscape design, and art criticism, significantly influenced the San Francisco Bay Area’s art and design community. Read More →

  • The Essence of Naoto Fukasawa: Merging Design and Behavior

    The Essence of Naoto Fukasawa: Merging Design and Behavior

    Naoto Fukasawa, renowned for his work with brands like Muji and B&B Italia, is a globally acclaimed designer. His design philosophy, called “Without Thought,” emphasizes unconscious behavior, aiming for designs to seamlessly integrate into everyday life. His contributions span product design, exhibitions, and academics.Read More →

  • New-Age Noodles: The 1980s Culinary Experiment from France

    New-Age Noodles: The 1980s Culinary Experiment from France

    In 1987, French pasta maker Panzani collaborated with designers Philippe Starck, Nemo, and Christian Ragot to create Pasta del Maestro, a novel fusion of aesthetic design and culinary craftsmanship. Their unique pasta shapes enhanced cooking and taste, challenging traditional norms and expanding the role of design in everyday experiences. Read More →

  • Barbara Radice: The Chronicler of Memphis Design

    Barbara Radice: The Chronicler of Memphis Design

    Italian design critic Barbara Radice is renowned for shaping the narrative of the Memphis Group, a 1980s postmodern design collective. Her works, including the influential “Memphis: Research, Experiences, Results, Failures and Successes of New Design,” have provided critical insight into the group’s multidisciplinary output.Read More →

  • Austrian Furniture Design: The Wiener Werkstätte Era

    Austrian Furniture Design: The Wiener Werkstätte Era

    Early 20th century Vienna was a hotbed of creativity in art, architecture, and design, particularly due to influential figures like Josef Hoffmann and Koloman Moser. Involved with Wiener Werkstätte, they created utilitarian yet artistically innovative furniture, shaping Austrian design significantly.Read More →

  • The Q Stak Chair: A Testament to Modernism and Practical Design

    The Q Stak Chair: A Testament to Modernism and Practical Design

    The Q Stak chair, designed by Robin Day for Hille in 1953, embodies British modernism and the innovation of accessible, quality furniture. Combining aesthetics, practicality, and material innovation, it remains a seminal symbol of good design.Read More →

  • Antoine Rouzeau: A Master of Clarity in Design

    Antoine Rouzeau: A Master of Clarity in Design

    Antoine Rouzeau, acclaimed architect and designer, has transitioned from architecture to product design. Having worked in prestigious agencies and now the Musée d’Orsay, Rouzeau applies a design philosophy emphasizing clarity and utility. His work consistently combines aesthetics and functionality.Read More →

  • Muszla (Shell) Chair: A Timeless Emblem of Mid-Century Design

    Muszla (Shell) Chair: A Timeless Emblem of Mid-Century Design

    Hanna Lachert’s mid-century “Muszla” [Shell] chair, created in 1956, epitomizes aesthetic and functional mid-century modern design. Despite decades past since its creation, it remains popular due to its timeless appeal and iconic features.Read More →

  • 5 Influential Spanish Furniture Designers: Impact and Innovation

    5 Influential Spanish Furniture Designers: Impact and Innovation

    The article explores five influential Spanish furniture designers – Patricia Urquiola, Jaime Hayon, Javier Mariscal, Oscar Tusquets Blanca, and Ramón Esteve. Their innovative works combine diverse elements such as multidisciplinary design, humor, storytelling, classical aesthetics, and minimalism, impacting global design trends.Read More →

  • Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby: Shaping Design

    Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby: Shaping Design

    Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby, renowned architects and designers, apply their architectural prowess to create diverse, universal designs, spanning from buildings to furniture. Their works, featured globally in museums and collections, demonstrate a blending of function, form, and aesthetic.Read More →

  • Iconic British Biscuit Tins: Aesthetics, Functionality, and Heritage

    Iconic British Biscuit Tins: Aesthetics, Functionality, and Heritage

    The British biscuit tin, consequential to the 1861 Licensed Grocer’s Act, embodies changes in design over time reflecting shifts in society, economy, and technology. Its evolution recounts history beyond its utilitarian purpose.Read More →

  • Michael McCoy: Bridging Theory and Practice in Industrial Design

    Michael McCoy: Bridging Theory and Practice in Industrial Design

    Michael McCoy is a renowned American designer and educator. Notably successful in practical product design and academia, his lasting influence extends from furniture to semantics. His approach has reshaped the understanding of design, encouraging exploration of linguistics meaning of objects, and questioning over solutions.Read More →

  • The Fusion of Tradition and Modernity: A Look at Rikke Frost

    The Fusion of Tradition and Modernity: A Look at Rikke Frost

    Rikke Frost, an iconic Danish designer, skillfully blends traditional craftsmanship with modern design. Her celebrated Sideways Sofa, a collaboration with Carl Hansen & Son, showcases her deep understanding of materials and their narrative potency. Frost’s work, marked by adaptability for modern production and quick innovation, has earned her widespread recognition and accolades. Read More →

  • Vilhelm Lauritzen: The Architect of Danish Modernism

    Vilhelm Lauritzen: The Architect of Danish Modernism

    Vilhelm Lauritzen, a pioneer of Danish Modernism, revolutionized architecture with a philosophy of functionality and aesthetic grace. His influential projects, such as Copenhagen Airport and Radiohuset, and interior designs showcase his versatility. His legacy continues to impact globally.Read More →

  • Avril de Pastre: Melding Art and Functionality in Design

    Avril de Pastre: Melding Art and Functionality in Design

    Avril de Pastre, a French designer, is renowned for merging art with functionality. With a formidable academic background, she contributes to contemporary design, focusing on aesthetic and practical improvements to domestic spaces. Her work, frequently exhibited, includes her acclaimed Solveig Light collaboration. Read More →

  • Baleri Italia: A Vanguard in International Design

    Baleri Italia: A Vanguard in International Design

    Baleri Italia, established in the 1980s, is a trailblazing international design brand known for its Italian craftsmanship, collaborations with renowned designers, minimalist yet bold aesthetics, and iconic creations. Its designs reflect a blend of classic and contemporary styles, and its influence extends to prestigious institutions such as MoMA. Read More →

  • History of the International Design Conference in Aspen (IDCA)

    History of the International Design Conference in Aspen (IDCA)

    The International Design Conference in Aspen (IDCA) was a significant event that linked design with industry and culture, initiated to encourage intellectual exchanges. Influenced by the Bauhaus philosophy of merging art and commerce, it drew designers, scientists, educators and businesses into rich, diverse discussions, shaping modern design philosophies and evolving into the Aspen Design Summit.Read…

  • Einar Forseth: Craft and Culture in Stained Glass and Mosaics

    Einar Forseth: Craft and Culture in Stained Glass and Mosaics

    Einar Forseth, born in 1892, significantly influenced 20th century decorative and applied arts with a legacy spanning stained glass, mosaics, and postage stamps. His key works include the mosaics in Stockholm City Hall’s Golden Room and diverse contributions to Coventry Cathedral. Read More →

  • 5 Ways Shoji Hamada Inspires Today’s Designers

    5 Ways Shoji Hamada Inspires Today’s Designers

    Shoji Hamada, a renowned 20th-century Japanese potter, continues to inspire modern designers with his dedication to craftsmanship, Mingei philosophy, fusion of Eastern and Western aesthetics, sustainable practices, and depth of design beyond utility. Read More →

  • Salvador Dali Wall Art Prints: Mustache Poster – Black and White

    Salvador Dali Wall Art Prints: Mustache Poster – Black and White

    Salvador Dali’s black and white “Mustache Poster” enhances interior design by introducing surrealism and timeless elegance. Its versatile placement options, conversation-starting potential, and ability to balance aesthetics make it a valuable addition to home decor.Read More →

  • Mondrian Minimalist De Stijl Bath Curtain: A Splash of Art!

    Mondrian Minimalist De Stijl Bath Curtain: A Splash of Art!

    The Mondrian Minimalist De Stijl Bath Curtain merges practicality with avant-garde decor, transforming the daily routine with an artistic touch. It’s a unique gift offering a blend of art-history, functionality, and affordability.Read More →

  • HARIO BDK-80-W Drip-Coffeemakers: Tradition and Modernity

    HARIO BDK-80-W Drip-Coffeemakers: Tradition and Modernity

    The HARIO BDK-80-W Bona kettle combines modern brewing precision with rustic aesthetics. Its key features include a special gooseneck spout for precise pours, teak wood accents, and compatibility with various ranges. Although gentle care is needed, it enhances brewing experiences.Read More →

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