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For Immediate Release
Contact: Felicia E. Molnar, 248-645-3329
February 25, 2007

Contact: Felicia E. Molnar, Cranbrook, 248-645-3329
David Bright, Knoll, 212-343-4030

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. (February 25, 2007) --- Knoll Inc. -- internationally renowned for innovation in residential and corporate furniture and textiles-- has announced a $1 million gift to the Campaign for Cranbrook in support of the Cranbrook Academy of Art and Art Museum. This gift, which supports endowment, preservation, renovation and other needs for the Academy and Art Museum, is the largest ever made to Cranbrook from Knoll. It recognizes Knoll's historical legacy and ties to Cranbrook: co-founder Florence Knoll Bassett (neé Schust) is an alumna of both the Cranbrook Kingswood School and the Cranbrook Academy of Art.

"Knoll is honored to make this gift to Cranbrook," says Andrew Cogan, CEO of Knoll. "Since our founding in 1938 by Florence Schust and Hans Knoll, our commitment to innovation and modern design has evolved through very direct ties to the Cranbrook Academy of Art, whose alumni and faculty have contributed to our success."

Knoll is headquartered in East Greenville, Pennsylvania. The company's large portfolio of products are exhibited in major art museums, with more than 40 pieces in the permanent Design Collection of The Museum of Modern Art in New York. While a student at the Cranbrook Kingswood School, Florence Knoll Bassett (neé Schust) became a protegée of Eero Saarinen, whose work the company still produces. In addition to the long collaboration with Saarinen, Knoll has commissioned work from a long list of noted Cranbrook Academy of Art faculty and graduates, including, Harry Bertoia, Niels Diffrient, Michael McCoy, Hani Rashid, Ralph Rapson, Marianne Strengell, and Masamichi Udagaw.

"The shared legacy of Knoll and Cranbrook is nothing short of the re-invention of the American workplace," says Reed Kroloff, Director of the Cranbrook Academy of Art and Art Museum. "This gift memorializes that relationship, supports the unique environment that made it possible, and ensures that the Cranbrook Academy of Art will remain at the forefront of design innovation."

About Knoll

Since 1938, Knoll has been recognized internationally for creating workplace and residential furnishings that inspire, evolve and endure. Today, Knoll's commitment to modern design, understanding of the workplace and dedication to sustainable design has yielded a unique portfolio of products that respond and adapt to changing needs. Knoll is aligned with the U.S. Green Building Council and can help companies, healthcare organizations and educational institutions achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) workplace certification. Knoll is the contract furniture industry's first member of the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX®) and is the founding sponsor of the World Monuments Fund Modernism at Risk program.

About Cranbrook Academy of Art and Art Museum

Founded in 1932, Cranbrook Academy of Art and Art Museum is acknowledged world wide as a preeminent graduate level school of art, design and architecture. This independent graduate degree-granting institution offers an intense studio-based experience where artists-in-residence mentor students in art, architecture and design to creatively influence contemporary culture. The Academy is the only institution in the United States dedicated solely to graduate art education, granting the Master of Architecture degree and the Master of Fine Arts degree in 2D Design, 3D Design, Ceramics, Fiber, Metalsmithing, Painting, Photography, Print Media and Sculpture. Cranbrook is an internationally renowned educational community dedicated to excellence in the arts, education and science. Cranbrook is located at 39221 Woodward Avenue in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, and in addition to the Academy of Art and Art Museum, is comprised of the Institute of Science, Schools and other affiliated cultural and educational programs. For more information, call (248) 645-3300 or visit the web site at www.cranbrook.edu.

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