Vienna Design Week 2014: Passionswege – mathak + mahlknecht @ Stani-Polsterei

In our post from the launch of the Tools for Life collection by Rem Koolhaas and OMA for Knoll during Milan Design Week 2013 we noted that the highlight for us was the so-called “11 Floor Seating” legless chair. For all we commented that with ever more time, professional and personal, being spent working with tablets, smartphones and other mobile devices, the requirements of chairs was slowly evolving and that there would be an increasing need for high-quality furniture which allows one to, effectively, sit on the floor, knees hunched.

Similar thoughts occurred to us on viewing the sofa system developed by Vienna based studio mathak + mahlknecht and the upholstery company Stani-Polsterei in context of Passionswege 2014.

A modular concept the system comprises a base board on which can be placed cushions of various sizes and forms and which can be used as, for example, seating, backrests, armrests, tablet computer rests, or if you want to use it as a bed, a pillow. A series of wood blocks both break up the upholstery collage and also provide somewhere for placing a cup.

The real beauty of the system however is the construction principle which connects the cushions/wood blocks to the base and so gives the system it’s stability, and by extrapolation its versatility. We’ll not reveal it here, but it is every bit as alluring and playful as the system itself. And so not only functions but fits with the concept.

Now we can hear one or the other of you coughing “student” under your breath. And yes it does have something of a student flat appeal about it.

But don’t let that put you off. The object on display is, in effect, a prototype, developed quickly within the context of a design week project.

For all the material needs to be changed. If our information is correct, and we don’t doubt the source, during the development process there were “discussions” about the material. The woollen material chosen may have a perceived feeling of warmth, of bringing nature into the living room. Looks student and probably isn’t going to be that durable. And as mathak + mahlknecht know only too well following their Best by … about built-in obsolescence project at Vienna Design Week 2012, decisions about product life cycles need to be taken seriously.

However with a different material and higher value wood there is more than enough potential for developing a very interesting and versatile system for not only domestic environments but also offices, hotels, libraries, schools, shops…..

We’ll keep you updated.

Vienna Design Week 2014: Passionswege – mathak + mahlknecht @ Stani-Polsterei

Vienna Design Week 2014: Passionswege – mathak + mahlknecht @ Stani-Polsterei

Vienna Design Week 2014: Passionswege – mathak + mahlknecht @ Stani-Polsterei

.... and a few other possible combinations. It is however up to you.