The Risom Side Chair was designed by Jens Risom for Knoll in 1943 and has become a modern design classic over the years. The frame of the chair is made of solid maple wood with a clear lacquer finish. The seat and backrest are made of braided cotton ribbons.

Risom was the first collection designed for and produced by Knoll. Since the collection was designed during a time of war, where materials were in short supply, the design and material choices had to be sparing. The chair was constructed from a simple maple frame, the seat and backrest were created from discarded parachutes. With The Risom Collection, Knoll established itself as a modern brand in the American furniture market.