John Hagemann three-door wardrobe for Thonet-Mundus, early 1930s

Three-door version of the wardrobe designed by Prof. John Hagemann for Thonet-Mundus in the early 1930s.

Hermann John Hagemann was an architect and furniture designer who worked in Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s office throughout the 1920s and 1930s. As site manager, he was involved in the German Pavilion at the 1929 Barcelona International Exposition, a key work of Classical Modernism, as well as Villa Tugendhat in Brno. Alongside his architectural work, he designed furniture for Thonet-Mundus.

The large, book-matched walnut veneer panels give the wardrobe depth, warmth and presence without compromising its restrained aesthetic. Chromed tubular steel supports and continuous metal bands articulate the design and emphasize its architectural character.

Inside, the wardrobe combines generous storage space with a functional arrangement of hanging and shelving compartments. Construction, material and proportion consistently follow the design principles of Classical Modernism.