Jehs+Laub, a notable German design studio, have been making waves in modern furniture design for years, thanks to their collaborations with U.S.-based supplier Davis Furniture. In this exclusive interview, Markus Jehs and Jürgen Laub tell us all about the newly released Cape lounge and Capas table collections for Davis Furniture. They talk us through their creative process – which looks to find a harmonious balance between form and function – and the sources of inspiration for their unique design features. The design duo also reminisce on their long-standing relationship with Davis Furniture and how these recent products embody the changing needs of modern offices and more. Davis Launches Dynamic Collections for Today’s Mod Lounge
Interior Design: Tell us about the creative process that led to the Cape and Capas collections’ unique designs.
Our ambition with the design of the Cape lounge collection centred around the concept of creating a strong aesthetic design that would be recognised and appreciated instantly. Needing to accommodate a variety of sizes, we strived to create a balance between comfort and durability so that interior designers could comfortably submit it for a multitude of projects, home or otherwise. Through the process of sculpting a solid structure, we worked to eradicate usability and create something that was unified, where the table legs did not appear as a separate element. Capas has thus become an entirely new type of occasional table, with its base and top intricately linked to form a single unit.
How do you approach balancing form and function in your designs?
Function is the beginning of everything we create. After that, we look for an appropriate form to execute the concept and lend the products an unusual and distinctive aspect. Without the equilibrium of these two elements, the project is pointless.
How has your partnership with Davis impacted the design and production process of your collections?
For more than ten years, we have been in partnership with Davis Furniture. As such, we have had the chance to learn the Davis style and understand what works and what does not. Danny Davis (company president) and Rob Easton (Vice President of Design and Development) often enable us to examine fresh ideas without a proper design guide. Once they believe that an idea can be suitable and beneficial, the first prototype is made. In some cases, it may come out great whilst in other scenarios, it may not. As such, we look to refine the product, finding out its features and dimensions whilst analyzing its shape. At times, we may even choose to switch to another plan completely – that’s just the method of designing. Yet, when things go as planned, a remarkable output that can be presented at NeoCon is achieved.
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