The 1,700-square-metre space in London occupies three floors of the 1960s modernist building at 20 St John’s Square in Clerkenwell, the neighbourhood that also hosts an annual Design Week. The new contract showrooms and retail outlets are home to Herman Miller and Knoll as well as the fabrics of Maharam, another name in the American group’s portfolio. The three brands are united in a hybrid area dedicated to staff, a contemporary work environment full of space-saving solutions and design icons.

These include Marcel Bauer’s Wassily armchairs (also on display here in the brand-new matt dark red version presented by Knoll), Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona, also for Knoll, and Charles and Ray Eames’s Lounge chair for Herman Miller. There are also ultra-modern ergonomic office chairs such as Knoll’s ReGeneration and Aereon, now produced by Herman Miller with recycled plastic that would otherwise end up in the oceans.  

The neutral tones and light wood floors of the interiors highlight the furniture and products on display, while large windows provide natural light and overlook St John’s Gate, the medieval archway whose rampart borders the three 1960s volumes, creating a striking contrast with the contemporary design of the furnishings. At the centre, a brick courtyard with wooden benches, water features and greenery welcomes visitors and offers them a relaxing space before and after making their purchases, perhaps accompanied by staff.

To highlight the firm’s major investment in the British and European markets and its desire for ever greater in-house synergy, the MillerKnoll flagship is located just a few steps from the showrooms of other brands in the group: Hay, Muuto and NaughtOne.