Gilbert Rohde: The Most Important Thing In The Room Is Not The Furniture

Gilbert Rohde The Most Important Thing In The Room Is Not The Furniture
When a furniture company's head of design asserts "the most important thing in the room is not the furniture - it's the people", you know you've found an organisation with a sense of vision. These words were spoken back in the 1930s by Gilbert Rohde, the man who kick-started a revolution at American furniture manufacturers Herman Miller. His forward thinking helped turn it into one of the most innovative companies of the 20th century.

The journey which saw this one-time producer of period reproductions transformed into innovator, collaborating with designers such as Charles and Ray Eames, Isamu Noguchi and Don Chadwick, is the subject of a new book, Herman Miller: Classic Furniture and System Designs for the Working Environment. Having worked for the company for 16 years in the role of vice president of corporate communications, author John R Berry is well placed to offer an insight into how one company has stayed ahead of the game.

Perhaps the first question on everyone's lips is: Who was Herman Miller? It comes as a surprise to learn that Miller was never directly involved in the company. Instead he was the father-in-law of one DJ De Pree, and his financial support enabled his son-in-law to go from being president of the Star Manufacturing Company to becoming its new owner. De Pree immediately changed its name in trib