A Dutchman, Rietveld was one of the most innovative designers of interiors and furnishings in the 20th century, already working with wood at the age of 11 in his father's cabinet-making shop. In 1911 he began to design and build furniture on his own, simultaneously studying architecture.
Rietveld's "red&blue" chair (1917-18) is the first well known expression of his architectural language, displaying the influence of the De Stijl group and experiences of Mondrian and Van Doesburg. Published in the magazine De Stijl as a manifesto of the movement, it was later exhibited at the Bauhaus.
The abstract purity of his furniture designs also permeated his architectonic style. In addition to buildings, Rietveld also designed shops, offices and movie theatres, all in his markedly original and creative style.
Later, he drew closer to the ideals of rationalism, especially in seeking modularity; among his most important creations from this period are the town houses designed for the Werkbund exposition in Vienna (1930-32) and, regarding furniture, the famous “zig-zag“ chair.