KHO LIANG IE & ARTIFORT


Visionary designer Kho Liang Ie played a defining role in shaping the DNA of Artifort. His human-centred approach laid the foundation for designs that are clear, functional and enduring. Modern Lines, Enduring Ideas revisits this legacy and reflects on the continuing relevance of his vision.






In 2026, Artifort celebrates the groundbreaking work of the legendary designer Kho Liang Ie, whose furniture, interior, exhibition and graphic designs from the 1950s to the mid-1970s placed him at the heart of Dutch design. Throughout the year, Artifort will host a series of activities honouring his enduring legacy.  



KHO LIANG IE WAS A VISIONARY

Although the name Kho Liang Ie may not be widely recognised today, in the 1960s and 1970s he was widely regarded as one of the Netherlands’ leading multidisciplinary designers, earning international acclaim. His work for, among others, Artifort and CAR brought him global recognition. Until 2002, a prestigious Dutch design award even bore his name. Yet even those unfamiliar with him will almost certainly have encountered his work, for example at Schiphol Airport, or through his furniture in the now much-loved mid-century modern style.

'Where does innovation reside within existing furniture,
when an entirely new collection is also possible?' - Kho Liang Ie


EARLY SUCCESS AS A MULTIDISCIPLINARY DESIGNER

The Dutch designer Kho Liang Ie, born in 1927 in Malegang, Indonesia, moved to the Netherlands in 1949, where he studied interior architecture at the predecessor of the Rietveld Academy. There, he was introduced to the principles of functionalism: simplicity and efficiency. His talent as a multidisciplinary designer became evident early on. He worked across industrial design, interior architecture, exhibition design, graphic design, and as an advisor for Goed Wonen. Curious by nature, he remained open to new ideas and travelled extensively, meeting international designers and artists whom he would later connect with manufacturers. He had a deep appreciation for art, which he often integrated as subtle details in interiors and exhibition stands, where his industrial sensibility and spatial understanding came to the fore.

Kho Liang Ie’s designs were functional, understated in form and expression, and defined by a refined elegance. He collaborated with several renowned companies, including Bruynzeel, Mosa, CAR, and Artifort, with whom he would maintain a long-standing relationship. In 1958, Kho Liang Ie was appointed aesthetic advisor and designer at Artifort, at a time when the company was seeking renewal amidst the popularity of Scandinavian design. The management first met him at a trade fair that same year, where he posed a simple but decisive question: why produce furniture that already exists, when something new can be created? His clarity of thought and focus on simplicity, distinction and modernism made a lasting impression. He was given carte blanche to develop a new collection that would fundamentally transform Artifort.

DESIGNER AND AESTHETIC ADVISOR AT ARTIFORT

Kho Liang Ie introduced groundbreaking designs and contributed to innovative concepts such as open-plan offices, flexible interiors and modular furniture for compact households. His designs for Artifort, including the 070, C683, C684, F416 and C416, reflect this vision and remain highly relevant today. 

Alongside the furniture he designed for Artifort (some of which remains in production or has since been reissued), he also held the role as aesthetic advisor for all of the brand’s products and manifestations, a remarkable step at the time. He furthermore introduced international designers such as Pierre Paulin and Geoffrey D. Harcourt to the company. This not only contributed to Artifort’s significant international success, but also brought a global creative network to the Netherlands.



Timeless Masterpieces in Artifort's Permanent Collection - Designed by Kho Liang Ie  








PROJECT SCHIPHOL AIRPORT AMSTERDAM


One of Kho Liang Ie’s most influential projects was the interior design of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, conceived in 1963 and opened in 1967. Here, he translated his human-centred vision into a public environment. The design was based on the understanding that travel brings a certain level of tension. A fluid entrance sequence, subtle changes in level and warm materials such as oak introduced calm and orientation. A restrained colour palette minimised distraction, while the distinctive yellow signage was given maximum visibility. The 070 seating, still part of the current Artifort collection, was placed prominently in the waiting areas, turning comfort into an integral part of the architectural experience.


Although parts of the interior have been lost over time, the slatted ceilings in the piers and the stainless-steel wall between Schiphol Plaza and the departure and arrival halls remain recognisable elements of his design.

SPECIAL ACTIVITIES IN 2026

As part of the Modern Lines, Enduring Ideas campaign, Artifort will present an inspiring programme of special activities in 2026, both in the Netherlands and in Milan. Highlights include: 

  • A layered installation dedicated to Kho Liang Ie and timeless design at Masterly Milano during Milan Design Week 2026. The installation demonstrates how Kho’s designs remain highly relevant today, and how, through intelligent construction and reupholstery options, they continue to adapt to and find a place within a wide range of interiors. 

  • In May 2026, the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam will open the first major museum retrospective of Kho Liang Ie in more than fifty years. The exhibition Kho Liang Ie: Mid-Century Modernist presents the full scope of his oeuvre through more than 200 objects and extensive visual material: furniture, interiors, exhibition designs and international collaborations. Artifort and the Artifort Archive have been privileged to contribute significantly to the presentation. Alongside numerous heritage pieces, the exhibition is furnished with contemporary Kho models, allowing visitors to experience them first-hand. After the exhibition, these Artifort pre-used models will be made available for project interiors and domestic settings. 

  • In autumn 2026, Artifort will reintroduce the F656 and F666 models, a reinterpretation of Kho Liang Ie’s iconic 1970s design in which dialogue and balance take centre stage. A distinctive design defined by a clear, almost graphic structure, softened by a comfortable seat. The apparent contrast between its precise construction and tactile softness comes together in a form that feels both exacting and relaxed.. 

> More info about Kho Liang Ie



Kho Liang Ie’s work demonstrates that modernism is not a style, but an attitude: an equal attentiveness to context, user and material. In this way, his legacy remains profoundly relevant. A continuing source of inspiration for design that is clear in line, enduring in idea and meaningful in use.

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