Three legs good: Zeitraum
Brand story by Gerrit Terstiege
Wolfratshausen, Germany
27.04.21
With its African mask–inspired Kuyu table series for Zeitraum, designer duo Formstelle has succeeded in creating a symbiosis of simplicity and conciseness – which finds its place in a wide variety of designs in equally diverse environments.
The new Kuyu side table series was designed by design studio Formstelle. © Nava Rapaccietta
Imbuing a table with real character is not so easy. A top, plus three or four legs – such a small number of elements doesn’t offer much leeway for creating accents. Unless, of course, you abandon well-trodden paths and go your own way. With its new Kuyu lounge table, Zeitraum has once again succeeded in doing so, together with the design studio Formstelle.
Just 20 kilometres separate the workspaces of Claudia Kleine and Jörg Kürschner from the company’s headquarters in Wolfratshausen. The surrounding landscapes as well as Lake Starnberg south of Munich are important points of reference for the design duo as well as for their partners at Zeitraum. Characterised by mutual trust, their longstanding collaboration over many years has produced a whole series of successful designs. These include the Morph chair family, the Twist tables, sideboards and numerous attractively designed beds. Stylistically, the new Kuyu lounge table fits perfectly into this lineage. Kleine and Kürschner’s designs for Zeitraum are all distinguished by the symbiosis of simplicity and conciseness. They exude a sense of calm with delightfully sophisticated proportions and details.
Designers Jörg Kürschner and Claudia Kleine were inspired by African masks when designing the table legs. © Thomas Dashuber
Designers Jörg Kürschner and Claudia Kleine were inspired by African masks when designing the table legs. © Thomas Dashuber
×Photos from their studio show a wall that they have turned into a mood board for the collection of ideas. A closer look reveals various images of African masks that inspired the designers and eventually led to the distinctive shape of Kuyu’s legs. They take on solid sculptural qualities while simultaneously making the tabletop appear to float.
Kuyu is available in two heights and in various woods, as well as with four different archetypal tabletop shapes. © Nava Rapaccietta
Kuyu is available in two heights and in various woods, as well as with four different archetypal tabletop shapes. © Nava Rapaccietta
×Regardless of which of the four archetypal tabletop shapes is chosen – triangle, circle, rectangle or free form – Kuyu creates a centre of calm as a large coffee table in living room environments. But it is equally suited for use in the foyer of a hotel or the lounge area of a restaurant. As it is available in two heights and in different woods – including American walnut, ash and oak – various shapes and wood tones can be combined and the different heights overlapped to form striking constellations.
© Architonic
