Countdown to Bauhaus 100, Modern German Architecture, House

Countdown to Bauhaus 100 : plans from Thonet

Thonet anticpated two important anniversaries at imm cologne 2018, Germany

23 Jan 2018

Countdown to Bauhaus 100

Thonet anticpated two important anniversaries at imm cologne 2018

Countdown to Bauhaus 100… and more exciting plans from Thonet
Thonet anticpated two important anniversaries at imm cologne 2018 and presented the new chair 118 by Sebastian Herkner

2018 began in a very special way for Thonet GmbH. The company is counting down to two major events in 2019, significant also for all customers and fans of the pioneering furniture manufacturer. Founded in 1819 by Michael Thonet, the company’s 200th anniversary is on the horizon, meanwhile the Bauhaus movement will also celebrate a centenary in 2019. Both events make it natural for Thonet to celebrate the trailblazing tubular steel classics that were created around that time, and which are still considered design icons today.

The importance of Marcel Breuer, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, and Mart Stam for the Bauhaus is undisputed. Their furniture designs remain well-loved highlights of the Thonet portfolio. The classic tubular steel cantilever chairs are benchmarks of modern design history: they include chairs S 33 and S 43 by Mart Stam, models S 32 and S 64 with wicker cane by Marcel Breuer as well as his lounge chair S 35, and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s S 533 with its elegantly arching tubular steel frame.

The desk S 285 and the nesting tables B9, which are distinctive in their simplicity and elegance, also represent the New Objectivity which became part of the zeitgeist at the time.

At imm cologne 2018, Thonet once again placed this iconic furniture and its functionality, comfort, quality and timeless aesthetics in the spotlight, sounding the opening bell of the upcoming Bauhaus anniversary.

The new management team for Thonet, centred around Brian Boyd (CEO), Norbert Ruf (Creative Director), and Michael Erdelt (COO), which was formed one year ago, has planned further areas of special focus over the next two years for these key anniversaries. The goal is to maintain the inspiring results of the past year, while adding significant and versatile new products to the portfolio.

The new wooden chair 118 by Sebastian Herkner kicks this programme off with its debut at imm cologne 2018. With refined details and making noticeable references to the inimitable Thonet heritage, the design positions itself as an elegant all-rounder for both the residential and the contract sectors. Further surprising new products will be presented at Orgatec (23-27 October 2018), as Thonet continues to generate fascination and excitement.

Thonet – future-oriented furniture design with a long tradition
The unique success story of Thonet began with the work of master carpenter Michael Thonet. Since establishing his first workshop in Boppard on the River Rhine in 1819, the name Thonet has stood for high-quality, innovative and elegant furniture. The breakthrough came with the iconic chair No. 14, the so-called Vienna Coffee House Chair: the pioneering technique of bending solid beech wood for the first time enabled the mass production of chairs.

The second milestone in design history was the tubular steel furniture by the famous Bauhaus architects Mart Stam, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Marcel Breuer in the 1930s. At the time, Thonet was the world’s largest producer of these tubular steel furniture designs, which are considered timeless today.

For the company today, the continuous process of innovation stands in the foreground alongside a focus on tradition and fine craftsmanship. Thonet collaborates with renowned national and international designers – in addition, some of the furniture is designed by the in-house Thonet Design Team.

All of the furniture is produced in the company-owned manufacturing facility, and, following the motto “Individuality is our standard”, custom-tailored solutions are part of everyday life in Frankenberg. Chief Executive Officer Brian Boyd together with Chief Operating Officer Michael Erdelt and Creative Director Norbert Ruf manage the company at the corporate head offices and production site in Frankenberg/Eder (Germany). The descendants of Michael Thonet, the fifth and sixth generations, are actively involved with the company’s business as partners and sales representatives.

Location: Cologne, Germany, Europe