Keypiece Desk — Walter Knoll / EOOS
Design & Concept
The Keypiece series is part of Walter Knoll’s executive desk / table program, focused on combining elegant minimalism, proportional harmony, and usability in both office and home settings.
The concept emphasizes lightness, clear geometric form, organic edges, and flexible functionality. It is meant to “create open spaces—for thoughts, ideas, and conversations.”
Variants & Key Differences
There are two major desk/desk-table variants in the Keypiece family:
Keypiece Management Desk
More traditional executive desk layout.
Often constructed in wood with solid wood legs and matching veneer surfaces for warmth and high material quality.
Cable routing is discreet: in legs, or with textile cable ducts; black leather ducts are also optional.
Keypiece Communication Desk
Designed to serve double duty: as a personal workstation / desk and as a meeting / communication table. It supports hybrid use (meeting + work).
Features include electric height adjustment (sit-stand) in many versions, integrated media hub, cable management in plate / container, containers for technical equipment / storage.
The tabletop shapes have softer, rounded edges (“Soft Edge”) or chamfered edges (“Advanced”) to suit aesthetic or use preferences.
Materials & Finishes
Table tops are typically 28 mm thick, with different edge styles: soft flowing edge, chamfered (Advanced), or sometimes simpler edges.
Surfaces include high-quality veneers (oaks, walnut, pigmented oak), fine textured paints, laminates / HPL, Fenix®, etc.
Legs support either solid wood (in Management variant) or aluminium / panel legs (especially in Communication version); finishes include natural wood tones, blacks, matte and polished metals. Option for leather pads or soft-touch areas depends on configuration.
Features & Functionality
Cable Management: hidden cable routing through legs; in some options, textile cable duct or leather-covered ducts; media hubs are available in the Communication version.
Storage / Containers: “container” elements are available (pedestals / drawers) for managing daily tools, personal items, technical gear. Some are movable or mobile; variants with roll-casters are possible.
Height Adjustment (in Communication variant): many versions offer electric motor-driven height adjustment (for sit-stand working) with a touchpad control.
Aesthetic & Spatial Experience
Soft curves (rounded edges), warm wood or veneer surfaces mixed with fine finishes give a balance of refinement + approachability. The desk doesn’t look heavy; the lightness in design helps it fit both executive offices and modern home workspaces.
Proportions are carefully considered: desk tops and legs are in harmony; even smaller sizes retain elegance. For example, the Management desk is offered in sizes that work well at home.
Dimensions & Typical Specifications
A typical Management Desk version: widths around 1600 mm with depth around 800 mm, height depending on configuration (fixed ~ 680-780 mm for some options) in fixed-height models.
Communication Desk variant can go much larger for meeting / collaboration usage, with tabletop depths and widths capable of accommodating group work and video conferencing. Height adjustable versions go from ~ 74 cm up to ~ 122 cm depending on design.
Strengths & Considerations
Strengths:
Very flexible: many configurations, finishes, edge styles, storage/containers, height options.
Balanced between form and function: warm materiality + technical accessories.
Works well in both private and shared spaces; looks refined in formal executive settings while also usable in home offices.
Considerations:
High-end custom finishes and optional features may increase cost significantly.
Larger or height-adjustable versions require careful specification: power, stability, installation.
Wood or veneer surfaces require care (maintenance, protection from spills, humidity) to preserve finish.