When we think of museums, our minds often go to ancient artefacts or priceless paintings. But design has its own history – one that shaped the way we live, work, and sit today. In June 2025, the newly opened MillerKnoll Archives in Michigan gave design lovers a rare gift: a chance to step inside the living legacy of two giants, Herman Miller and Knoll.
A New Home for Design Heritage
MillerKnoll was formed when the two legendary brands joined forces, creating a powerhouse of modern design. Their new archives at the Michigan Design Yard HQ are more than just storage: they’re part exhibition, part research centre, and part open-access treasure chest.
Visitors can explore three public-facing zones:
- Exhibition gallery – rotating displays that chart the evolution of modern design
- Reading room – a dedicated space for researchers, students, and design professionals
- Open storage – more than 300 iconic furniture pieces on view
It’s a working archive, but also a celebration of the culture of innovation that both brands have cultivated for nearly a century.
Icons Up Close
Walking through the archive is like flipping through the pages of design history in 3D. On display you’ll find:
- The Eames Lounge Chair and Noguchi coffee table
- Saarinen’s Womb chair prototype, gifted to his mother
- Early office furniture by Florence Knoll
- The Barcelona chair by Lilly Reich and Mies van der Rohe
- Advertising campaigns and graphic works by George Nelson, Lella and Massimo Vignelli, and more
The archives don’t just show furniture – they tell the story of how design has shaped everyday life, from the workplace to the home. Wall-mounted racks feature original posters, photography, and catalogues, creating a visual history of modernism and its lasting influence.
Why It Matters
As Amy Auscherman, director of archives and brand heritage, explains:
“It’s been the opportunity of a lifetime to unite our shared history and preserve our culture of innovation, ensuring that these design legacies remain accessible for generations to come.”
By opening their archives to the public, MillerKnoll is making sure design history doesn’t stay locked away in a warehouse – but instead continues to inspire future makers, thinkers, and dreamers.
Practical Information
📍 Address: MillerKnoll Archives, Michigan Design Yard, Zeeland, Michigan, USA
🎟 Admission: Free (check millerknoll.com for details)
🕘 Opening hours: Selected days, by appointment (visit website to book)
✈️ Nearest airports: Gerald R. Ford International (Grand Rapids), Muskegon County
My World of Interiors 