Greta Magnusson-Grossman (born July 21, 1906) was a Swedish furniture designer, interior designer, and architect.
Image by Julius Shulman
In 1940, in the midst of World War II, she left Sweden and moved with her husband to Los Angeles where they opened the Magnussen-Grossman Studio. The studio focused on furniture and lighting design and sold to several well-known furniture companies. Her furniture is characterized by its unique mixture of materials and slender proportions.
Through the 1960s, she was a prominent figure in the experimental architecture world, and was influenced by European Modernists and the Bauhaus, including Walter Gropius and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe.
Image: Domus
In 1943, her split-level house in Beverly Hills was the first project that allowed Grossman to act as both interior designer and architect. The house was a major breakthrough for her as an architect and was featured in John Entenza’s influential magazine Arts & Architecture. Her work reflected both the International Style of fellow European emigres such as Rudolph Schindler and Richard Neutra, with the airy, open-plan housing of the Case Study program architects.
Image: Domus
In the late 1960s she dropped out of site in moving to Leucadia. She ended up largely unknown and almost forgotten. Recently, renewed interest in this pioneering modernist has resulted in some of her pieces being brought back into production. Today, Grossman’s product designs are highly collectible and are sold at auctions all around the world. Grossman’s products are unique, modern classic designs.
Image: Domus
About the Author:
Bruno Dursin – Managing Director at Believe in Steel. Bruno has more than 30 years of experience in promoting steel & steel solutions. His clients benefit from his extensive network within the building industry.
