Isokon

Isokon refers to a British furniture company and architectural design group influential in the development of modern design in the United Kingdom. Founded in 1935 by Jack Pritchard and initially named the Isotype Company, it was later changed to Isokon, a contraction of "Isometric Unit Construction."

Isokon was notable for its commitment to modernist principles, embracing clean lines, functional design, and the use of new materials like plywood. The company collaborated with prominent Bauhaus émigrés such as Walter Gropius, Marcel Breuer, and László Moholy-Nagy, bringing their expertise and design philosophy to Britain.

One of Isokon's most significant contributions was the Isokon Penguin Donkey, a plywood storage unit designed by Egon Riss, specifically designed to hold Penguin paperbacks. Other notable designs included molded plywood chairs and tables, which exemplified the company's focus on simplicity and practicality.

The Isokon company played a vital role in introducing modernist ideas to a wider British audience and influenced subsequent generations of designers. While the original company faced financial challenges and ceased production in the 1980s, the Isokon name and designs were revived in later years, continuing to produce and celebrate the legacy of this pioneering design group. The Isokon Gallery, located in London, showcases the history and contributions of the Isokon company and its key figures.