Following on from last years “Kids Only” collection, Richard Lampert was/were back at Cologne 2012 with a collection of new outdoor furniture

And just as “Kids Only” clearly wasn’t. So too can “Living Outdoor” clearly also be used for “Living Indoor”

Which is important if you live north of Alicante and can’t guarantee your summer will be in any way summary.

Featuring four new products from three of the company’s roster of young design talents, the new collection can be seen as an extension of Lampert’s existing garden and balcony furniture range that includes, for example, the table & bench set Ludwig, the side table Flip or the outdoor version of Herbert Hirche’s monumental Lounge Chair.

Following on from last years Pit Stop beanbag for the “Kids Only” collection, Eindhoven Design Academy graduate Bertjan Pot has developed the chair Tie-Break, a chair made from tennis netting.

An admittedly unconventional material but one chosen specifically because it is weather resistant and so allows the chair to be left outside in all weathers.

Now you know us, we don’t dig furniture made from “everyday items” Tie-break however uses tennis netting material as its base rather than simply re-interpreting how one can use a tennis net.

It’s an important difference. And a wonderful example of how designers have to think when choosing materials for projects. Its not all “Form follows function”.

Cologne native and long-time member of the Richard Lampert team, Eric Degenhardt has created a new folding table, Hook. A delightful balcony table that folds to a sort of flat frying pan form that can be hung up on simple screw.

A further long-term Lampert collaborator Alexander Seifried has created two products for the “Living Outdoor” collection. A sun lounger/day bed by the name Dish’s Island and – and for us the highlight of the collection -  the folding chair MASH. When we first saw MASH we initially thought of a tennis line judge’s chair from back in the day. So way back in the day when tennis racquets were still strung with pig gut.

But the real story behind the chair was revealed in our conversation with Richard Lampert…..

(smow)blog: Garden Furniture. We’re assuming that means things are going so well you are planning kicking back and spending the coming summer lounging in your garden…..

Richard Lampert: Exactly! And as every year I expect that we will very soon be enjoying spring sunshine!

(smow)blog: Optimistic. But we’ll give you that! For the”Living Outdoor” collection you’ve recruited some familiar faces…

Richard Lampert: Yes. We have Alexander Seifried who has developed two pieces, a sun lounger and then a folding chair that is a re-make of an old army folding chair that we found amongst some junk and have re-worked and updated. And we’ve called it MASH after the film and TV series.

(smow) blog: So you were cleaning out the cellar, found it and thought….?

Richard Lampert: …fantastic piece, wonderful chair we’ve got to do something with that!

In addition from Bertjam Pot we have a chair crafted out of tennis netting combined with safety belt material from the automotive industry. And we’re still working with a young Swiss architect on a new table with matching chairs. It wasn’t possible to get that ready in time for Cologne so we’ll introduce that in Milan.

(smow)blog: And how strict was the brief this year. Did you say, for example, to Bertjan Pot that you wanted a chair….

Richard Lampert: No this time it was all very free, we said we wanted “garden furniture” and obviously that doesn’t offer so many possibilities as “kids furniture”. I can make a table, a bench, a sunshade, chair, lounger…. then there is not that much more.

(smow)blog: For the second year in succession your launching your new collection here in Cologne rather than in Milan as most other producers choose to. Why?

Richard Lampert:  Here I have 100 sqm in Milan I only get 50. In Milan I can’t show so much and don’t have the space to create such a presentation as we have here. And then there is the simple fact that Germany is my most important market, and where we make the majority of our turnover and so for me it makes sense to launch our new collection here in Cologne.

On his 2009 album “Waxing Gibbous” Falkirk balladeer Malcolm Middleton included the song “Red Travellin’ Socks” a jaunty – if for us touch too obvious – ode to his love/hate relationship with, well his Red Travellin’ Socks.

Wearing his socks he’s reminded of the freedom of the open road that is currently helping him fulfilling his primitive desires – until such time as the romantic myth of the endless highways explodes and he begins to long for home. The red socks symbolising his frustration and hopelessness.

“Take me home Red Travellin’ Socks”, he demands. “I’m out of money and I’m sick of these songs….”

And then, inevitably, after a period at home his Red Travellin’ Socks sit there in the domestic wardrobe, taunting him and reminding him of what he is missing….

Malcolm’s Red Travellin’ Socks are our Vitra Panton Chair Miniature.

For no obvious reason it began accompanying us a couple of years ago and even featured in our controversial tour of Verner Panton’s Copenhagen. And will inevitably feature in our forthcoming Arne Jacobsen portrait.

Much as we enjoy photographing it, there comes a point in every tour where it sits in the camera rucksack like a lead-lined metaphor for the domestic regularity we’re missing. However, no sooner is it back on the bookshelf….

Our erstwhile travelling companion in front of Arne Jacobsen's former house in Copenhagen.

And so while we admittedly did consider throwing it from the train on the way back from Neue Räume Zürich 2011 – we’re currently polishing it up for Spring 2012.

On January 13th we’re in Cologne for the opening of the exhibition “From Aalto to Zumthor – Architect Furniture” in the MAKK. And of course for IMM Cologne 2012 and the parallel fringe events.

Among the, potential, highlights are a new outdoor collection from Richard Lampert, the exhibition “Made in Sishane” and seeing how the colleges do now that they have left the confines of IMM and will be showing their work at a satellite event in the city.

Early February then sees the opening of the Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec Exhibition “Album” in the Vitra Design Museum Gallery in Weil am Rhein. We missed it in Bordeaux and so are really looking forward to seeing it; and of course finding out how their yacht is coming on!

And then from February 6th were in Stockholm for the annual Design Festival and Furniture Fair. The obvious highlight being Stockholm in February.

But given that the (smow)boss will also expect us to produce some form of “work” from our trip, we’ll be checking out the exhibition The Evolution of Object by Katrin Greiling, pursuing the new tile designs by Claesson Koivisto Rune for Marrakech Design and generally investigating the current state of the designer furniture industry in Scandinavia.

Reports, photos, interviews and reviews will be published here and on Facebook.

Stockholm. February. 2011

Luddites!

Not a phrase normally associated with (smow)

To the best of our knowledge no (smow)employee has ever smashed an iPad or capped a WiFi service in protest at the creeping and increasingly obsessive proliferation of technology into our lives.

Despite that, the early summer weeks in the (smow)HQ were dominated by the preparation and production of the very first (smow)catalogue.

That’s print catalogue.

So on paper.

With ink.

Luddites?

Au contraire nos amis!

Not only is the production of such an analogue catalogue technologically more challenging than coding with that “any-fool-can-do” HTML; but, just as the mechanisation of the textile mills offered the oppressed masses their first, golden, taste of leisure time – so does a print catalogue help us to regain that.

Turn off the computer, enjoy a break, peruse a catalogue. And then turn the computer back on and order.

In addition to featuring a selection of products from the (smow) range the (smow) Designer Furniture Catalogue 2011 also includes biographical information on some of the most important designers and a range of specially commissioned photos of products from USM Haller, Vitra, Moormann, Richard Lampert et al

And is a mighty fine piece of work. Well done to all involved!

If you’d be interested in seeing the finished work, or know someone who would appreciate a copy, please contact service@smow.de (NOTE: It is only available in German)

And at facebook.com/smowcom we have posted a photo gallery documenting the production process.

(smow) Designer Furniture Catalogue 2011

Stak by Patrick Frey gets some experts attention.

In addition to his Kids Only Collection, Richard Lampert presented two new products in Milan: Stijl by Alexander Seifried and Stak by Patrick Frey.

Just as developing a kid’s range was long a wish of Richard Lampert, so too was the rehabilitation of the much-maligned kitchen corner bench, once so popular in alpine homes.

We know people who are of the opinion that there is no need to rehabilitate the unparalleled genius that is the corner seat bench. Why have your kitchen chairs standing in the way in the middle of the kitchen when you can have them as a part of the table? Why?

But we’re not everyone.

Deliberately reserved, Stijl is technically not a corner bench unit, but rather is a table bench combination that can supplied as a “normal” table/bench or as a “in our opinion much better” made to measure corner unit.

Constructed from spruce Stijl simply looks like it belong in a kitchen. Which is the whole idea.

Similarly deliberately uncomplicated is Stak by Patrick Frey .

A modular bent steel storage system that can be endlessly extended Stak is available in one depth, two heights and two widths and the individual units simply slot into one another thus allowing tool free construction.

There is in all honesty not much more to say, other than for us it is a sensible extension of the Richard Lampert collection which, apart from the Egon Eiermann shelving, has always lacked storage and shelving.

Stijl by Alexander Seifried for Richard Lampert, shown here with the Prater chair by Marco Dessi

Stak by Patrick Frey for Richard Lampert

Eric Degenhardt presents his new Tur-Tur. In the foreground the new kids In-Out lounger

Richard Lampert is no newcomer to the world of kids designer furniture: products such as the Eiermann Children’s desk – a reduced, child friendly version of the Egon Eiermann table frame – or the Turtle kids swivel chair by Peter Horn having become established family favourites.

However, irritated by the general lack of high quality, designer furniture available for children, Richard Lampert decided to initiate his own range – with the help of a wonderful array of young international design talent.

And so it came that to pass that the new Richard Lampert “Kids Only” range was officially launched at IMM Cologne 2011.

Like an indoor tree-house “Tur-Tur” by Eric Degenhardt reminds us a lot of the Bouroullec’s 2000 Lit Clos concept piece.

Just for kids! Which is obviously no bad thing.

In 2010 we threw a huge fit over the seemingly endless stream of “high chair” pieces we were being confronted by at design fairs and student shows.

Tur-Tur however appeals to us because unlike all the other works we’ve seen which are intended for adults looking to re-find their inner child: Tur-Tur is for real kids.

High up above the adult world kids not only have their own space in which to develop – but also that wonderful feeling of being allowed to do something special, something that only you can do.

Which as a kid is unquestionably one of the most liberating feelings.

In addition the steps can be used for hanging things on and over, there is storage space on the back and one can also “camp” under it.

Degenhardt’s fantastic 2008 “In-Out” lounger has also been re-sized for children.

We obviously didn’t test it – but it does look every bit as good as the adult version.

Dutch wunderkind Bertjan Pot, meanwhile,has produced – in our opinion – one of his best works in recent years with the tyre shaped bean bag “Pit Stop”.

Rocker by Doshi Levien - winner of a Best of Best, Interior innovation Award 2011

It might not be the most innovative piece he has created; but it is without question the most functional and most practical piece he has created in recent years.

A real highlight of the collection for us however is Rocker by London design studio Doshi Levien.

Formally reminiscent of Walter Papst’s Rocking Sculpture – Rocker is a much simpler, much more interactive design which we’re certain the average child will not only use for gently rocking forward and backward on.

Rather as a general instrument for exploring and testing.

And for adults, the mix of wood and plastic not only give Rocker the allure of being some forgotten 1970s Danish design classic – but means that it won’t look out of place in any room of a house. Meaning the temporary appearance of kids furniture in your house needn’t interrupt your own styling concept.

All in all the Richard Lampert Kids Only collection is a well-balanced and intelligently compiled range.

And more importantly one that, for us, has set the bar in terms of designer kids furniture just a little higher.

Through the keyhole: Richard Lampert introduces his new Kids Only Collection

Richard Lampert and the Kids Only Collection designers

For us the highlight of the new Richard Lampert Kids Only collection: Rocker by Doshi Levien

Pit Stop by Bertjan Pot

Back in October 2010 the design blog pixelgangster.de ran a competition with a Richard Lampert Egon Eiermann desk – supplied naturally by (smow) – as the first prize.

Entrants were asked to say why they deserved the desk.

In his winning entry Benjamin asked his friends why he deserved the desk – would your friends be so generous?

Ours probably wouldn’t.

But then we already have an Eiermann Desk!

Benjamin’s winning video (in German with English subtitles)

While critics denounce such as an easy and obvious way to generate content – for us reviewing the past year is an important step in planning our activities for the coming year: where to go, who to talk to, what to sit on and, just as importantly, what to ignore or give up.

The only real problem for us is that in preparing such we realise just how much material we haven’t had the chance to use – and so receive an impression of how much more material we will acquire in the coming year.

Heck!

Reading Table by Uli Budde @ Designers Fair 2010 Cologne

The year started, as ever, with IMM and Designers Fair in Cologne. Aside from the opportunity to roll out a few anti-carnival gags the trip introduced us to some wonderful new products/designers, specifically; Uli Budde, Christian Lessing, Martin Neuhaus, Alexander Gufler, maigrau, Tim Baute etc, etc, etc…

A further highlight was the introduction of Herbert Hirche’s Interbau 57 armchair through Richard Lampert.

Negative was the lack of innovation and – if we’re honest – quality on display at IMM. For Germany’s most important furniture trade fair it just simply wasn’t good enough.

Let’s see what IMM 2011 brings.

In February we were then on much safer ground with the opening of the VitraHaus on the Vitra Campus in Weil am Rhein and a visit to the MoormannHaus in Aschau in Chiemgau.

Moormann Haus, Aschau in Chiemgau

Aside from the way the VitraHaus majestically appears before you, for us the real joy is the decision to include “non-Vitra” items in the displays – very much in the spirit of Charles and Ray Eames‘ “Collage” principle of interior design.

If we did have one wish for 2011 it would be that rather than only including established designers, that Vitra include one or the other design from a young designer or two in the VitraHaus exhibition space.

VitraHaus is big enough to give young talent a chance.

While the MoormannHaus is every bit as spectacular a piece of architecture as Vitra’s, the real highlight of the trip to Aschau was Berge - the Moormann auberge

Much more than a delightful base for a trip to the Bavarian Alps – Berge is much more a wonderful introduction to the Moormann philosophy.

In March (smow)airport systems premiered their range of USM Haller based airport solutions at the Passenger Terminal Expo 2010 in Brussels. Created in cooperation with USM Haller , (smow) airport systems have developed a range of solutions for both operative, Lounge and Retail areas of airports – solutions that were very well received by the PTE visitors.

The company name and structure may have changed since PTE 2010 but we will be at PTE 2011 in Copenhagen to both follow the development of the project as well as to report on other developments in airport / public area furniture world.

Full house in the (smow)room for the Leipzig Buchmesse readings

Back in Leipzig March is Buchmesse and March 2010 saw the most successful series of readings ever in the (smow)room in Burgplatz.

Ever!

Starting with Grillsaison from Philipp Kohlhöfer and then moving on over “New voices from Switzerland” to “Meine Frau will einen Garten” by Gerhard Matzig the three readings provided three very different if equally enjoyable experiences.

More so in 2011 !

Fritz Haller against Egon Eiermann.

While ahead of the 2010 (smow) designer furniture world cup final many bemoaned the decision of both Switzerland and Germany to  play safe with their more technical formations;  the match itself was one for connoisseurs.

Certainly  a Nils Holger Moormann for Germany or a Susi and Ueli Berger for Switzerland could have brought a little more imagination and colour to the match.  But what the two old masters lacked in flamboyancy they more than compensated for with technical brilliance and confident construction.

Egon Eiermann opened gently with his classic deskframe before quickly doubling up with his deceptively subtle shelving unit. Sensing the “office furniture” direction the match was taking Fritz Haller reached deep and produced a “Komplex integriertes Tisch-Organisations-System”. His KITOS Table being such a departure from his normal USM Haller system that it caused Eiermann to briefly stumble, the Brandenburger regaining his composition in time however to take a 1-0 lead with a beautifully worked SE 18 für Wilde + Spieth.

Spurned on by Eiermann’s SE 18 Fritz Haller responded with a quickfire roll container / Haller table combination before drawing level with a well placed Haller table flat screen swing arm.

The longer the match went on the more Fritz Haller’s stable USM Haller system seemed to control the match; however Egon Eiermann refused to give in and late in the second half  attempted a delightful  SE 68 /E 14 Rattan stool double. Neither of which could quite match the versatility of Haller’s USM system and with match heading for extra time Fritz Haller slide in a perfectly executed metal extension shelf for the victory.

And to take the (smow) designer furniture world cup back to Switzerland for the first time.

(smow)2010 Overview

The Swiss fans celebrate Fritz Haller's victory over Egon Eiermann

The second semi-final of the 2010 (smow) designer furniture World Cup was for many design critics the most interesting match of the competition Charles and Ray Eames against Egon Eiermann.

Not only because of the international stature of the two design teams; nor because of the important role that both played in the development of industrial and furniture design in their home nations. The critical interest was much more if – and when yes to what extent – Egon Eiermann’s approach would mirror that of Charles and Ray Eames.

And the opening exchange was to provide for ample controversy.

Charles and Ray Eames opened with their standard DCW plywood chair: a move which provoked an almost instantaneous  response from Egon Eiermann in the form of an SE 42. Referee  Arthur Mehlstäubler rejecting appeals for a penalty on the basis that the the formal vocabulary available for designing such a plywood chair is limited: so ball to hand and as such no penalty. A decision that was not universally accepted amongst the capacity crowd in Durban.

Undeterred Charles and Ray Eames produced  quick fire DSR and DSW sidechairs before taking a deserved 1:0 lead with one of their trademark “Eames Elephants“.

The Eames Elephant however seemed only to spur Egon Eiermann to increase his efforts and, after a little experimentation, Eiermann was able to draw level with his Rattan Chair. Shortly afterwards he moved into a 2:1 lead with his deceptively robust Eiermann deskframe.

And despite some intensive aluminium chair work from Charles and Ray Eames, Egon Eiermann held on for a  2:1 victory.

(smow)2010 Overview