The mushroom-shaped Uno pouf was created when Claesson Koivisto Rune renovated the Grand Hotel Terminus in Bergen, Norway, a hotel where flexibility is paramount. The hotel's Amundsen whisky bar was to remain almost identical, with its warm, amber interior. Uno complements Finn Juhl's Pelican chairs with luxurious sofas and small tables in this historic setting, making it even easier to reconfigure the space. Available in two sizes, for young and old, Uno, with its soft-touch rounded structure, helps to create a happy environment, whether as a single object or as a group. "Design objects should be friendly, not hard, sharp or aggressive", says Eero Koivisto, "design should make you feel comfortable".
Uno is Japanese design at its core: Scandinavian minimalism combined with full Japanese tactile craftsmanship, and the hallmark of the Swedish architecture and design studio Claesson Koivisto Rune. For too long, furniture typologies have remained rigidly fixed in form, but today we're looking for new approaches. Uno, with its finely crafted wooden frame, supports upholstery of different densities: both firm and soft.
Lulu evokes a domestic animal, a fresh presence that seems almost alive. It's a stylised sculpture that adds a dynamic touch to any interior. You can sit on it as if in a chair, or lie down in it as if on a chaise longue. And to sit in a more intimate and connected way. Lulu can, of course, sit in a corner waiting to be used, ready to bounce around on its own or together like a boisterous herd around a table.
Färg & Blanche is once again challenging existing furniture typologies by fusing mimetic qualities with practical functionality. Lulu is also a welcome reminiscence of times gone by, when furniture was given a life of its own: pottery, tables and sofas decorated with lion's paws, eagles' beaks and plant extravagance. Lulu will happily populate any public or private space like a pet, without needing to be fed or provoking any allergic reaction. The design duo are once again showcasing their playful creations, this time in a multi-purpose piece of furniture that adds a new level of flexibility to any home.
Lulu is a softer incarnation, built on a wooden frame with different densities of foam for ultimate comfort. It's a creative magnetism," exclaims Anders Färdig, founder of Design House Stockholm. You almost want to hug these little sculptures, and you can sit on them as if they were cuddly toys. Lulu offers a new way of sitting: flush with the floor and less strict than traditional furniture".
Materials kiln-dried solid wood, TSCA-certified plywood, fibre-wrapped high-density foam and 70% recycled polyester, 30% polyester coverings.
Dimensions Ø50 x H47 cm or Ø65 x H50 cm
Cream – Ø50 cm
Cream – Ø65 cm
Brown – Ø50 cm
Brown – Ø65 cm
Green – Ø50 cm
Green – Ø65 cm
Dimensions 65 x 35 x H59cm
Cream
Brown
Yellow
Claesson Koivisto Rune
Fruit baskets for Cappellini, a video set for Kylie Minogue, textiles for Almedahl, lamps for Wästbergs, interiors for the Operakällaren restaurant and the Nobis hotel in Stockholm, rugs for Asplund, jewellery for the Pascale gallery, not forgetting the architecture of the Sfera building in Kyoto "Multidisciplinary" seems a good word to describe Eero Koivisto, Ola Rune and Mårten Claesson. Founded in 1995 by the three former classmates from the Konstfack College of Arts, Crafts and Design, the studio quickly gained international renown and was the first Swedish architect to be exhibited at the Venice Architecture Biennale. Today, the Claesson Koivisto Rune office is located in the Södermalm district of Stockholm and has a dozen employees.
When asked about their design philosophy, the trio say that their work is not limited by any set rules, but that their only aim is to develop, improve and never repeat themselves They try to get involved in all the exciting projects that come their way, and architecture and design are equally important to them.
Fredrik Färg & Emma Marga Blanche
Founded in Stockholm in 2010, the Färg & Blanche studio is made up of Swedish designer Fredrik Färg and French-Swedish designer Emma Marga Blanche. Renowned for their experimental approach, where fields of expression echo each other, they move effortlessly from craft to industrial processes, while retaining their personal touch.
The duo's work ranges from brand collaborations (BD Barcelona Design, Gärsnäs, Zero and Design House Stockholm) to self-publishing and limited edition collections for galleries.
Fredrik Färg & Emma Marga Blanche find their inspiration in their huge studio on Södermalm, in the centre of Stockholm. This underground garage, a life-size playground, serves as their showroom and workshop. Fredrik trained as a cabinetmaker but has always been interested in fashion, particularly the work of designers Hussein Chalayan and Alexander McQueen. Emma has always been immersed in a creative world, her mother being an artist and art teacher. These diverse influences can be felt in their creations, as well as in their collaborations.
The duo have taken part in a number of major exhibitions, including 20 Designers at Biologiska, Inside Scandinavian design, Beyond Couture and the beautifully choreographed Design Walk. In February 2020, Emma is taking part in the Misschiefs project, a travelling exhibition of design pieces created by a collective of ten Swedish designers who are fighting for fairer representation of women in the design world.
