Collection: Brian Kane

Brian Kane was first introduced to the world of industrial design by a secondary school guidance counsellor. After graduating from the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut and spending a year in New York working on designing appliances, Kane and his wife headed for Milan, Italy, where he literally knocked on doors. One opened – architect Silvio Coppola’s – and it changed his life. “Seeing his passion for design was a real head turner for me,” says Kane, who decided that furniture design was what he wanted to pursue. He returned to New York after a year and took a position with Atelier International (ai). In 1977 he joined the Metropolitan Furniture Corporation (Metro), later becoming one of the owning partners. While at Metro, he became involved in manufacturing, another key learning experience. “It’s such an integral part of what we do,” he explains.

In 1989, Kane established the Kane Design Studio in San Francisco, where he focused on what he loves most of all: seating. “It’s all about comfort and innovation,” he says. “I have always attempted to explore materials and processes and use them in ways that add an element of detail that is unique. I’d call myself a minimalist; I strive for simplification in both form and manufacturing.” Although Kane is probably best known for his lounge and office seating, his benches can be found all over the country, from New York City to San Francisco. His designs have won over 80 awards and have been exhibited at the Whitney and Brooklyn Museums in New York and the Museum of Modern Art in San Francisco.