Richard Schultz was an American industrial designer renowned for redefining modern outdoor furniture. He studied at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, where he was influenced by modernist architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Schultz joined Knoll in the 1950s and worked closely with design leaders including Harry Bertoia and Florence Knoll.

He is best known for creating the 1966 Collection, originally designed at Florence Knoll’s request for furniture that could withstand the corrosive ocean air of Florida. The collection introduced durable materials such as powder-coated aluminum and weather-resistant mesh while maintaining the refined simplicity of modern design. Schultz’s work helped establish a new standard for contemporary outdoor furniture, blending durability, comfort, and elegant minimalism.