06/17/2025 • 6 min read

Design Heritage: Stories from 8 Iconic Haworth Brands

Discover the legacy behind some of our most innovative and distinctive brands

by Haworth, Inc.

Haworth’s global growth and breadth of culturally rich brands reflects our commitment to delivering variety and choice. By acquiring renowned companies, we offer a diverse range of brands that offer craftsmanship and unique solutions. 

BuzziSpace: Experts in Acoustic Solutions

BuzziSpace specializes in acoustic solutions, furniture, and lighting products that enhance the workplace. Established in 2007, the company pioneered sustainable soundproofing, with their first product made from 100% recycled PET bottles. Today, they continue to use eco-friendly materials, blending function and style for better sound management and visual appeal.

Handcrafted details, like those in BuzziPleat, highlight BuzziSpace's focus on quality and design. Their commitment to sustainability and well-being ensures exceptional acoustic performance in any environment.

Cappellini: Avant-Garde Italian Design

Cappellini is synonymous with contemporary and avant-garde furniture, marked by creativity and expertise. Founded in Italy, the brand gained international recognition in 1987 when Giulio Cappellini discovered Jasper Morrison’s Thinking Man’s Chair and decided to produce it.

A major innovator in furniture presentation, Cappellini redefined showroom experiences in the 1990s with House of Cappellini and Magazzini Cappellini. He showcased high-end furniture and branded household objects.

Collaborations with global designers like Shiro Kuramata reinforced Cappellini’s international appeal, blending Eastern and Western influences. The brand continues to push the boundaries of design, emphasizing artistic expression and bold aesthetics.

Cassina: A Legacy of Design Excellence

For over 12 decades, Cassina has led modern design, blending technological innovation with traditional craftsmanship to create harmonious spaces.

Cassina started reissuing iconic designs in 1964, when they received the exclusive rights to produce the first 4 seating models by Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, and Charlotte Perriand. This led to the creation of the Cassina iMaestri Collection in 1973. The collection has since included works by great architects like Gerrit Rietveld, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, and Franco Albini. To celebrate the iMaestri Collection's 50th anniversary, pieces from Charles and Ray Eames were added in 2023.

Cassina's pioneering spirit is evident in their use of innovative materials and technologies. In 1968, they introduced the groundbreaking Ciprea armchair, made from expanded polyurethane foam. In 1973, came the award-winning Maralunga sofa, with its ingenious adjustable-recline backrest. And the provocative Privé sofa by Philippe Starck made its debut in 2008.

Cassina continues to push the boundaries of design. Each piece is a testament to their meticulous craftsmanship, combining research and innovation to create timeless, high-quality furniture.

Hushoffice: Acoustic Pods for Flexible Workspaces

Hushoffice creates acoustic pods that offer a private, quiet place to work within the office. These pods are designed to give employees control over their work environment, making it easier to focus and be productive.

In 2015, Hushoffice introduced their first acoustic pods, changing how we work and meet. The hushPhone pod was their first product, leading to dynamic growth and global sales. Today, Hushoffice offers a new line of pods with improved acoustics, inclusive design, and various interior options.

Recognized for innovation, Hushoffice has received awards such as the Red Dot Award: Best of the Best for their Stand Up R desk and Best of NeoCon for the hushHybrid pod. More recently, the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) awarded Hushoffice booths their Certified Autism Resource badge.

With a focus on flexibility, sustainability, and acoustic expertise, Hushoffice helps companies create productive and distraction-free workspaces.

JANUS et Cie: Outdoor Elegance and Performance

Inspired by nature to enhance connection, balance, and well-being, JANUS et Cie leads the industry in design-driven outdoor furnishings. Founded in 1978 in West Hollywood by Janice Feldman, the brand expanded quickly, opening renowned showrooms around the world to meet the growing demand for premium outdoor furniture.

Transitioning from a distributor to an award-winning design company, JANUS et Cie began collaborating with prominent designers like Philippe Starck and Patricia Urquiola. By 2023, they had earned 143 design awards, including multiple Red Dot and Good Design honors.

JANUS et Cie has always fostered a strong company culture, aligning with and embracing Haworth's values. Creativity, professional growth, and corporate responsibility are not just ideals for JANUS et Cie, but the very pillars of the brand's ethos.

One of the company's most notable endeavors is the annual student design competition, which opens doors for young, aspiring talents from 46 universities worldwide, fostering a community of innovation and design excellence. Additionally, JANUS et Cie achieved a significant milestone in 2021, publishing their ESG report, which underscores their dedication to environmental, social, and governance principles.

Poltrona Frau: A Legacy of Italian Craftsmanship

Poltrona Frau is a beautiful blend of heritage, elegant creativity, handwork, technology, and the finest materials, including leather. It is quintessentially Italian—with over 110 years of heritage in crafting handmade Italian furnishings; custom solutions for public and private spaces; and luxury interiors for cars, aviation, and yachting.

Renzo Frau founded Poltrona Frau in Turin, Italy, in 1912. Early designs like the Chester and Vanity Fair armchairs showcased the brand's fine craftsmanship and luxurious leather.

Poltrona Frau's Custom Interiors division has furnished iconic public spaces, including the Strasbourg European Parliament and the Walt Disney Concert Hall. With over 5,000 projects worldwide, they continue to set the standard for quality and design.

Tuohy: Personalized Quality for the Refined Workplace

Since their start, Tuohy has focused on furnishings that make life more productive and enjoyable—specializing in casegoods, conference tables, and seating, Tuohy graces the boardrooms and private offices of some of the world's largest companies.

Company founder, Joseph F. Tuohy pursued his passion for furniture making despite risks and uncertainties. He launched Tuohy in his home, with no customers or income—driven solely by his dedication.

Joseph’s son, F. Mike, joined the company in the 1960s, bringing inspiration from New York’s high-end design scene. Today, third-generation leaders Dan and Michael Tuohy continue the legacy, maintaining the company’s commitment to quality and elegance. Tuohy’s disciplined design, modern engineering, and quality materials ensure their furniture remains a staple in refined workplaces.

Zanotta: Italian Design with Passion and Innovation

Established in 1954, Zanotta is a leader in Italian industrial design, known for a passionate and pioneering approach. Inspired by radical design ideas, Zanotta has consistently held the international spotlight since the 1960s.

Over 7 decades, the brand has produced 550 designs, many of which are now iconic and reside in prestigious museums worldwide. Notably, the Sacco beanbag, launched in 1968, became a design icon and is included in major museum collections around the world. Zanotta's products embody formal innovation and technological research, continuously evolving in material quality and production processes.

Each Haworth brand is part of a legacy of innovation, craftsmanship, and design. With a focus on creating inspiring spaces and evolving trends, these brands help shape the future of design.

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