Willy Guhl Building and Garden Elements
Swiss, 1915-2004
Decades prior to the mass popularity of neo-industrial cement floors and furniture taking shape, there was Willy Guhl. The Swiss creative is considered one of the first “industrial” designers in his home country. He pioneered a rugged, organic style of modern furniture and decor — stylish planters, shapely seating and lots more — that remains widely coveted by many today.
Guhl was born in 1915 in Stein am Rhein and worked as a carpenter before beginning studies at the Zurich School of Applied Arts (known today as the Zurich University of the Arts), where he would go on to teach for nearly 40 years.
While Guhl is well-known for his range of provocative garden elements as well as his patio and outdoor furniture, today’s legion of mid-century modern enthusiasts are likely familiar with the designer’s iconic Loop chair (introduced in 1954). For this sculptural seat and other furnishings, Guhl tended toward industrial materials, which he bent and shaped into organic forms for a striking juxtaposition. Much of his work is crafted from either concrete or Eternit, a mixture of cement and asbestos developed by the Belgian company Etex, which, in the 1950s, commissioned Guhl and his students at the School of Applied Arts to conceive planters in the material. The resulting vessels — some hourglass-shaped, some in the form of handkerchiefs, all suitable for indoors or exteriors — remain some of Guhl’s most collectible pieces.
Guhl’s affiliation with the Swiss “neo-functional” movement centered on the idea of simplifying design without sacrificing form. According to Guhl, his mission was “achieving the most with the minimum of effort.”
In addition to his work as a designer, Guhl left his mark on subsequent creatives through his 39-year tenure at his alma mater, where he was instructor to the likes of Robert Haussmann, Kurt Thut and Bruno Rey. Modern-day shoppers at IKEA owe Guhl a debt of gratitude too. He was an early advocate of flat-pack furniture, championing its ability to make good design more widely accessible.
At its core, though, Guhl’s work was inherently human-centric: “At the center of my efforts, I put people and their living requirements,” he once said. “My products must be useful to people.” Guhl died in 2004 at the age of 89.
Find a range of vintage Willy Guhl furniture and decorative objects on 1stDibs.
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Creator: Willy Guhl
Willy Guhl for Eternit Rectangle Concrete Outdoor Handle Planter, circa 1968
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This designer on-trend architectural rectangular concrete planter is by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit, crafted circa 1968 Switzer...
Category
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Concrete
$485 Sale Price / item
51% Off
Willy Guhl Chalice Shaped Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique concrete planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. Planter in the shape of a chalice. A variety of patina Great vintage condition. 3 available as shown in this listing. Priced in...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Concrete
$3,000 / item
Willy Guhl Tall Puzzle Piece Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic sculptural piece by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. Tall planters shaped like jigsaw puzzle pieces. One is painted white while the other is in the...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl 31" Adjustable 2-Piece Concrete Bowl Planters, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic cement planters by Swiss designer Willy Guhl for Eternit. Pedestal base with massive bowl that sits on top. Bowl can sit flat or angled in a mul...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Cement
Willy Guhl Concrete Urn, 1960s Switzerland
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete urn by Willy Guhl. Rare model. In original grey concrete patina. Urn has a delicate cement ridge around the mouth as well as around the widest part of the jar giving it dept...
Category
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl Atomic Tripod Planters, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare and beautiful atomic concrete planters by Willy Guhl for Eternit. Heightened egg-shaped bowl with a three-legged base. Teeth ridges along the upper rim. Wonderful patina intersp...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Concrete
$2,200 / item
Willy Guhl Concrete Urn with Handles, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete urn by Willy Guhl in a heavy matte white paint. Urn has a delicate cement ridge around the mouth and two handles right under the upper rim. The body of the jar tapers down t...
Category
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl Hourglass Pots
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Wonderful collection of concrete hourglass planters by the Swiss Architect, Willy Guhl. Great age, patina and coloring. Iconic sculptural planter or garden object. This listing is fo...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Concrete
$2,800 / item
Willy Guhl Flower Pots
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very rare set of Willy Guhl sculptural flower planters made of cement. Great sculptural objects. Hollow and open on both ends. Perfect for placing in soil and arranging plants/flower...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Cement
$2,200 / item
Willy Guhl for Eternit Large Concrete Biomorphic Planters, 1960s
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Willy Guhl for Eternit large biomorphic or clam shell shaped concrete planters or jardinières, Switzerland, 1960s. These exquisite planters are made from weather-resistan...
Category
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Concrete
Large Willy Guhl Organic Plant Organic Planter "Elephant ear" Model - 1950s
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Large Willy Guhl Organic Planter "Elephant ear" Model - 1950s
Switzerland 1950s - Outdoor planter
Broken corner : See photos
Measures : 80,5x83cm H:33cm
Material : Eternit
Wear co...
Category
20th Century Swiss Willy Guhl Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Cement
Willy Guhl Black Concrete Cone Flower Pot, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete cone flower pot by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. Made in the 1960s in Switzerland. Wonderful faded black patina across the whole outer body of the planter. Factory drilled dra...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl Concrete Urn, 1960s Switzerland
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete urn by Willy Guhl. Rare model. In a beautiful washed out patina from layers of finishes worn down over the years. Urn has a delicate cement ridge around the mouth as well as...
Category
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Concrete
Medium Swiss Concrete Dog House by Willy Guhl for Eternit, 1960s
By Willy Guhl
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare 1960s concrete dog house designed by renowned Swiss designer Willy Guhl. The structure features a simple elongated base topped by a raised semicircular arch that peaks at a de...
Category
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl Square Tray Planters, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic square tray tabletop planters by Willy Guhl. Great for succulents and indoor planting. Great original patina throughout. Six available. Priced ...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Cement
Massive Willy Guhl Olive Jar Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Oversized concrete olive jar planter by Willy Guhl with great patina and prominent presence. Simple and elegant design perfect for any garden or patio. Excellent patina and vintage c...
Category
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Concrete
Monumental Green Willy Guhl Vertical Handkerchief Planter, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning concrete planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. An iteration of his iconic handkerchief planter but as opposed to the traditional low profile handkerchief with wide leaf-lik...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl Concrete Vase, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Spectacular concrete vase by Willy Guhl. Extremely rare model. Slightly tapered neck with pronounced lip spout. Made of fiber cement. Painted in a beige color with years of patina. Beautiful texture and color with great presence. Excellent condition. Drainage holes in the base. Two available. Priced individually.
Images 1-10 planter...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Cement
$6,800 / item
Monumental Willy Guhl Concrete Vase, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Spectacular concrete vase by Willy Guhl. Extremely rare model. Slightly tapered neck with pronounced lip spout. Made of fiber cement. Decades of patina, moss and paint. Colors vary f...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Cement
Willy Guhl Rectangular Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic set of 22 rectangular planters by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit. Painted years ago in greyish/blue and worn down by years of Eur...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Cement
$1,450 / item
Willy Guhl Elephant Ear Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning concrete elephant ear planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit. Great vintage condition. Two available with different coloring...
Category
1960s American Vintage Willy Guhl Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Cement
$2,200 / item
Willy Guhl Concrete Urn, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete urn by Willy Guhl. Rare model. In a beautiful washed out patina from layers of finishes worn down over the years. Urn has a delicate cement ridge around the mouth as well as...
Category
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl Concrete Vase, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic concrete vase by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit. Great tabletop vase or planter in a unique weathered hand painted patina. Very unusual shape. Great indoors or outs...
Category
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Concrete
Mid-Century Swiss Willy Guhl Marmite Planter (Two available)
By Willy Guhl
Located in New Orleans, LA
The Willy Guhl Cauldron or Marmite planter is a striking piece of design, created by Swiss designer Willy Guhl in the 1950s. Known for its sculptural form and simple yet elegant appe...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Willy Guhl Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl Concrete Trough Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete trough planters by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. 26 " long. Factory drilled drainage holes. Perfect depth for narrow spaces. Small footed base. ...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Concrete
$1,300 / item
Willy Guhl Half Moon Wall Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare concrete planters by Willy Guhl with factory drilled holes to hang on the wall. Semi circular front with faceted edges in back. Great vintage condition. 4 available. Priced indi...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Cement
$1,450 / item
Willy Guhl Petite Box Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great sculptural box planters by Willy Guhl for Eternit. Made of fiber cement. Two with a lot of patina, and two on the cleaner side. Great petite planters. Perfect size. 4 available...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Concrete
$1,800 / item
Willy Guhl Olive Jar Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning concrete olive jar planter by Willy Guhl with great patina and coloring. Amazing depth to the piece due to the layers of yellow, green and b...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Concrete
Large conical planter Willy Guhl, France 1950
s
By Willy Guhl
Located in LYON, FR
Large fiber cement planter from the 1950s by Willy Guhl. Very beautiful patina.
Diameter 74 X H40 cm
Category
1950s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Cement
$947 Sale Price
20% Off
Mid-Century Modern Flat Planter by Willy Guhl for Eternit
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Doornspijk, NL
This planter is designed by Willy Guhl for Eternit of Switzerland. It is flat and slightly oblong and has a beautiful patina throughout. 1960s.
Three available, listed separately.
Category
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Cement
Willy Guhl Petite Ridged Planters, 1970s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Petite ridged planters by Willy Guhl. Concrete planters in the shape of a rectangle with an upper rim and ridged sides. Great scale. Very good condition with similar patina on all 5 ...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Cement
Mid-Century Modern Flat Planter by Willy Guhl for Eternit
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Doornspijk, NL
This planter is designed by Willy Guhl for Eternit of Switzerland. It is flat and slightly oblong and has a beautiful patina throughout. 1960s.
Three available, listed separately.
Category
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Cement
Willy Guhl Vintage Tilted Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Bloomfield Hills, MI
As of the mid-20th century, the work of Willy Guhl was a revolutionary feat of industry and design with a distinct style that transcends decades. True to form and function, Guhl worked with a mixture of cement and asbestos from Eternit. The lightweight material was groundbreaking, uncompromising form and structure with an emphasis on functionality. These beautiful tilted planters...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Willy Guhl Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Composition
$3,740 / set
Willy Guhl for Eternit Handkerchief Concrete Planters, 1960s
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Willy Guhl for Eternit sculptural handkerchief concrete planters or jardinières, Switzerland, 1960s. These exquisite planters are made from weather-resistant fiber cement...
Category
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Concrete
Extra Large Willy Guhl Planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Extra large concrete bowl planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit.
Gorgeous patina.
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Willy Guhl Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Cement
$3,800 / item
Willy Guhl Tilted Planters
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Tilted concrete planters by Swiss Architect Willy Guhl. Wonderful patina and coloring to each planter. Multiple sizes / shapes available.
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl planter 1st edition brazilian white concrete circa 1950 pair
By Willy Guhl
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Willy Guhl fibroconcrete brazilian white circa 1950 pair of planters signed ETERNIT.
Category
1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Concrete
Set of Three Willy Guhl Fibrous Cement Planters for Eternit. Switzerland, 1960
s
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lovely set of three fibrous cement off-kilter tilted planters designed by renowned Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit, circa 1960s. These iconic planters showcase Guhl’s minimali...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Cement
Willy Guhl Concrete Vase, 1960s (Pair) Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Ventura, CA
Stunning pair of concrete vases by Willy Guhl. Extremely rare model. Slightly tapered neck with pronounced lip spout. Made of fiber cement. Painted in beige color with years of pati...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Willy Guhl Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Concrete
$12,800 / item
Willy Guhl for Eternit Large Concrete Biomorphic Planters, 1960s
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Willy Guhl for Eternit large biomorphic or clam shell shaped concrete planters or jardinières, Switzerland, 1960s. These exquisite planters are made from weather-resistan...
Category
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Concrete
Pair of Willy Guhl Biomorphic Concrete Planters for Eternit. Switzerland, 1960
s
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A striking pair of biomorphic concrete planters designed by the renowned Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit, circa 1960's. These planters feature an organic, flowing form that re...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Concrete
Large Domed Dog House by Willy Guhl
By Willy Guhl
Located in Copenhagen K, DK
Designed by Willy Guhl, you have here a modern kennel for your beloved dog. The house is designed in fibrated cement by Eternit Switzerland in the 1960s. The two-piece dome-shaped sh...
Category
1960s Swiss Other Vintage Willy Guhl Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Cement
$6,460 / set
Willy Guhl Concrete Vase, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful concrete vase by Willy Guhl. Thick walls with years of patina in a soft blue color. Delicate and classic lines that start with a thin tapered base and rise to a billowed ou...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Willy Guhl Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Cement
Willy Ghul planter
By Willy Guhl
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Willy Guhl planter extra large size edited by Eternit
Called Diabolo.
Category
20th Century French Modern Willy Guhl Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Concrete
$2,632
Willy Guhl Pair of Troughs
By Willy Guhl
Located in Bloomfield Hills, MI
As of the mid-20th century, the work of Willy Guhl was a revolutionary feat of industry and design with a distinct style that transcends decades. True to form and function, Guhl work...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Willy Guhl Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Composition
$2,420 / set
A Collection of Tilted Planters by Willy Guhl, 1960
s, Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Collection of Tilted Planters by Willy Guhl, 1960's, Switzerland
Large // H 18.5" x D 25" // FDV11408
Small // H 14.5" x D 25" // FDV11513
*Wear consistent with age and use.
Col...
Category
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Concrete
$3,200 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Pair of Planters in Fiber Cement by Willy Guhl
By Willy Guhl
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
This pair of planters, model "oreille d'éléphant" was made of fiber cement by Willy Guhl (1915-2004) in the 1950's.
« Willy Guhl was an inventor, an experimenter, a resercher and a visionary. Despite that, he did not get lost in utopia. He reveals himself to be pragmatic almost a genius. » Robert Haussman
Willy Guhl was part of these historical designers historiques who have contributed to the international reputation of the Swiss design. He was one of the big representative of Neo-Functionalism.
From a carpenter father, he follows a furniture maker formation in the Kunstgewerbeschule of Zurich – School of applied arts of Zurich here he teaches from 1941 -, and becomes the director of the interior architecture department 10 years after. He leads in the late 1940's pionneer reaserches in the plastic furniture field. He develops then a knowledge about moulding technical that we allow him to reveal himself by transposing them on a new material : the Eternit, also called fibercement, which he is one of the first to use in Europe.
The Eternit is a kind of cement reinforce by asbestos and with a fiber texture which allows to create audacious pieces with new shapes. It takes the aspect of larges slabs to which it is possible to give a shape as long as they are not dried. Produced in the origin for the industry, it's a cheap material with an important resistance, so perfectly adapted for the fabrication of external furniture.
Category
Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Willy Guhl Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Cement
$3,230 / set
2 Small Spindle or Diabolo Planter Designed by Swiss Architect Willy Guhl
By Willy Guhl
Located in Mouscron, WHT
2 Small spindle or diabolo planter designed by Swiss architect Willy Guhl
The price is for one
Two are available.
Category
1950s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Guhl Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Concrete
Willy Guhl building and garden elements for sale on 1stDibs.
Willy Guhl building and garden elements are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of stone and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Willy Guhl building and garden elements, although gray editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 391 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 5 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original building and garden elements by Willy Guhl were created in the mid-century modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider building and garden elements by Eternit, and Anton Bee. Prices for Willy Guhl building and garden elements can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $431 and can go as high as $38,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,783.
Questions About Willy Guhl Building and Garden Elements
- 1stDibs ExpertJanuary 10, 2025Willy Guhl planters are made out of a variety of materials. For these furnishings, Guhl tended toward industrial materials, which he bent and shaped into organic forms for a striking juxtaposition. Much of his work was crafted from either concrete or Eternit, a mixture of cement and asbestos developed by the Belgian company Etex, which, in the 1950s, commissioned Guhl and his students at the School of Applied Arts to conceive Guhl's now-acclaimed planters in the material. Find a selection of Willy Guhl planters on 1stDibs.