Robert Cadwallader, Former Knoll President
Today, Knoll remembers the life of Robert Brooke Cadwallader, former President of Knoll International and a leading figure in the Company’s history, who passed away on January 19 at age 90. Known as “Bobby” to his friends, family and colleagues, he was with Knoll from 1955 to 1972.
A Texas native and graduate of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Cadwallader joined Knoll following a chance encounter with Florence Knoll at a campus event. His first position with the Company was in sales and, impressed with his hard work, Ms. Knoll asked him to lead its westward expansion. The Knoll Los Angeles Showroom debuted in 1960 and he moved to the New York City headquarters as Director of Marketing.
After Florence Knoll retired in 1965, she asked Bobby to lead the Company as President of Knoll International. As President, he made contributions that continue to be part of Knoll’s DNA. He grew the brand’s presence internationally with the acquisition of the Italian manufacturer Gavina Group SpA in 1968, bringing the work of influential designers—Marcel Breuer, Tobia Scarpa, Kazuhide Takahama, Sebastian Matta, Gae Aulenti, Cini Boeri and more—to its portfolio. He also oversaw the development of furniture and systems by Andrew Morrison, Bruce Hannah, Otto Zapf and Charles Pfister.
In 1971, Cadwallader played a key role in creating the Stephens System—Knoll’s first panel-based system—for the Weyerhaeuser Headquarters in Tacoma, Washington in collaboration with Bill Stephens, Knoll Director of Design and Development, and Charles Pfister of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill. Together, they developed one of the country’s first-ever interior open office plans with the system.
Cadwallader also brought designers Massimo and Lella Vignelli to Knoll, reimagining and streamlining its brand identity and price list to what it is today. He culminated his career with the Company with the 1972 retrospective exhibition Knoll au Louvre at the Pavilion des Marsan Musee Arts Decoratifs in Paris, France.
With his forward-looking leadership and enthusiasm, Bobby Cadwallader was a driving, influential force in the world of design. After Knoll, he worked for Hauserman and Sunar. He later retired to San Antonio, Texas.