Decades prior to the mass popularity of neo-industrial cement floors and furniture taking shape, there was Willy Guhl. The Swiss creative is considered one of the first “industrial” designers in his home country. He pioneered a rugged, organic style of modern furniture and decor — stylish planters, shapely seating and lots more — that remains widely coveted by many today.
Guhl was born in 1915 in Stein am Rhein and worked as a carpenter before beginning studies at the Zurich School of Applied Arts (known today as the Zurich University of the Arts), where he would go on to teach for nearly 40 years.
While Guhl is well-known for his range of provocative garden elements as well as his patio and outdoor furniture, today’s legion of mid-century modern enthusiasts are likely familiar with the designer’s iconic Loop chair (introduced in 1954). For this sculptural seat and other furnishings, Guhl tended toward industrial materials, which he bent and shaped into organic forms for a striking juxtaposition. Much of his work is crafted from either concrete or Eternit, a mixture of cement and asbestos developed by the Belgian company Etex, which, in the 1950s, commissioned Guhl and his students at the School of Applied Arts to conceive planters in the material. The resulting vessels — some hourglass-shaped, some in the form of handkerchiefs, all suitable for indoors or exteriors — remain some of Guhl’s most collectible pieces.
Guhl’s affiliation with the Swiss “neo-functional” movement centered on the idea of simplifying design without sacrificing form. According to Guhl, his mission was “achieving the most with the minimum of effort.”
In addition to his work as a designer, Guhl left his mark on subsequent creatives through his 39-year tenure at his alma mater, where he was instructor to the likes of Robert Haussmann, Kurt Thut and Bruno Rey. Modern-day shoppers at IKEA owe Guhl a debt of gratitude too. He was an early advocate of flat-pack furniture, championing its ability to make good design more widely accessible.
At its core, though, Guhl’s work was inherently human-centric: “At the center of my efforts, I put people and their living requirements,” he once said. “My products must be useful to people.” Guhl died in 2004 at the age of 89.
Find a range of vintage Willy Guhl furniture and decorative objects on 1stDibs.
Willy Guhl Massive Concrete Pond
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Impressive concrete sculpture by Willy Guhl. Largest piece of Willy Guhl on the planet. Over 7 feet long and over 4 feet wide. Original French advertisement from 1962 showing the pon...
Cement
Rare Willy Guhl Biomorphic Pond for Eternit Switzerland, circa 1960s
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Incredibly rare biomorphic pond designed by Swiss Neo-functionalist and Industrial design pioneer Willy Guhl for Eternit in Switzerland, circa 1960s. Sculpted from Guhl’s typical fib...
Cement
Monumental Willy Guhl Fountain, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Massive and rare concrete fountain by Willy Guhl for Eternit. Fabricated out of three pieces of cement. Large basin on both ends with hollow cylinder conn...
Concrete
Large Tapered Round Concrete Willy Guhl Planter
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Chireno, TX
Large tapered round concrete Willy Guhl planter circa 1960s.
Concrete
Tapered Round Concrete Willy Guhl Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Chireno, TX
Tapered round concrete Willy Guhl planter circa 1960s. More available - see other listings.
Concrete
Rectangular Planter by Willy Guhl for Eternit, Switzerland, 1950s
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Willy Guhl designed for Eternit, Switzerland. These planters are made from fiberated cement that is lightweight, strong and durable in all climates. The typical signs of use an...
Cement
Willy Guhl Conical Planter - Eternit AG, Switzerland #5
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Bern, CH
Monumental concrete planter by Swiss furniture designer, Willy Guhl. Solid concrete construction. Made in Switzerland 1960 - 1970. Produced by Eternit AG. Conical form with drainage...
Concrete
Rare Willy Guhl for Eternit Molar Shape Planter
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Chicago, IL
Very rare edition from Willy Guhl for Eternit. The configuration has become know as the “Molar” or” tooth” planter because of its three footed design. It's the edition « Eternit AG/E...
Concrete
Authentic Willy Guhl Mid-Century Modern Hourglass/Diabolo Concrete Planter
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Designed by Swiss modernist Willy Guhl for Eternit in the mid-20th century, this iconic “Diabolo” planter has become a timeless symbol of sculptural outdoor design. Its elegant hourg...
Concrete
Willy Guhl Planter, 1960s
By Willy Guhl
Located in Čelinac, BA
Concrite planter by swiss architect Willy Guhl 1960s.
Concrete
Willy Guhl Wide Diablo Planter by Eternit, Mid-Century Concrete
By Willy Guhl
Located in Wichita, KS
Willy Guhl Diablo Planter - After opening his first design studio in 1939 at the age of 24, Swiss-born Willy Guhl (1915-2004) went on to become a leading industrial inventor, educato...
Concrete
Willy Guhl Monumental Chalice Style Concrete Planter 1960s
By Willy Guhl
Located in Meer, VAN
Willy Guhl Monumental Chalice Style Concrete Planter, Switzerland, 1960s. This is a monumental mid century concrete planter by Willy Guhl. This chalice like design is one of his bes...
Concrete
$1,900Sale Price|34% Off
H 31 in Dm 18 in
Willy Guhl for Eternit 'Diablo' Concrete Hourglass Planter, c 1968
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Incredibly gorgeous 31" tall and 18" diameter 'Diablo' concrete spindel planters by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit, circa 1968, Switzerland. This sculptural hourglass shaped concrete planter has a grey exterior finish. The price is for a single Willy Guhl planter, we have the darker grey one showing in the main photo available. Some of the other ones have sold but contact us if you are looking for more Willy Guhl pots and planters. We have a large collection of Willy Guhl for Eternit pots, planters, garden objects, jardinières, and patio furniture. We always have inventory in Diablo's, Tilted and Cone Planters, box and rectangular Guhl...
Concrete
Vintage Willy Guhl Tilt Mid-Century Modern Concrete Planter
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This striking vintage concrete planter embodies the sculptural elegance and functional artistry made famous by Swiss designer Willy Guhl. Crafted in the mid-20th century, the piece f...
Concrete
Willy Guhl Handkerchief Concrete Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Reinforced cement fiber board "Handkerchief" planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit, Switzerland circa 1960's.
Concrete
Willy Guhl Concrete 4 Tier Fountain, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Extremely rare concrete fountain by Willy Guhl for Eternit. Fabricated out of 8 pieces of fiber cement. Hand made in Switzerland, 1960s. Only such fountain available for sale.. Great...
Concrete
Monumental Willy Guhl Fountain
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Massive and rare concrete fountain by Willy Guhl for Eternit. Fabricated out of three pieces of cement. Large basin on both ends with hollow cylinder conn...
Concrete
Willy Guhl Style Concrete Fountains
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare concrete fountains made in Belgium. Dated 8-30-1948. Two-piece fountain with large funnel base and massive bowl top. Great patina and age to concrete. Factory drilled holes for ...
Concrete
Monumental 2-Tiered Willy Guhl Concrete Pond
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Impressive concrete sculptural pond/planter by Willy Guhl. Massive concrete square sits atop a smaller concrete square base. Could be used to accommodate a fountain, pond or plants. ...
Cement
Monumental Willy Guhl Fountain
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Massive and rare concrete fountain by Willy Guhl for Eternit. Fabricated out of three pieces of cement. Large basin on both ends with cylinder connecting the two. Great sculpture and...
Cement
Willy Guhl Fountain
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare concrete fountain by Willy Guhl for Eternit. Fabricated out of cement. Great sculpture and object. Bowl has factory drilled holes to allow water to pass through. Stunning piece....
Cement
Monumental Willy Guhl Bowl Planter on Pedestal
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Massive Willy Guhl planter placed on top the hourglass Willy Guhl diabolo pot. Huge scale. Great floating effect. Two pieces, sold as a set. Four sets ava...
Cement