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  • Knoll Designer Pepe Cortés

Knoll Designer Bios

Pepe Cortés

b. Barcelona, 1946

One of Spain’s most renowned designers, Pepe Cortés studied interior design at the Eina Design School in his native Barcelona before founding the multidisciplinary design group Grupo Abierto de Diseno (Open Design Group).

As the firm’s principal, he has designed award-winning retail spaces, office interiors, restaurants, and furniture. From 1984 to 1988 he served on the board of the FAD (Fomento de las Artes Decorativas), a cultural institution dedicated to the celebration and promotion of Spanish design. Cortés was awarded the FAD Jury/Opinion Award in 1983, 1991, 2003, and 2007.

Cortés's relationship with Knoll began in 1993 with the introduction of the Jamaica Stool. The cast aluminum design has become a design icon worldwide.