Staying true to itself: LEHNI

The exterior of the Lehni AG building in Dübendorf, which was designed by Ernst Gisel, is a reflection of what happens inside its walls. It’s perfectly proportioned, the details are reduced to the essentials and it exudes a minimalist elegance in a class of its own. The furniture that leaves the building is no less perfect and well conceived.

Although the design of the firm’s bestsellers, such as the table by Georg Gisel or the bed and shelving by Andreas Christen, originates from the 1970s and 1980s, the products are anything but out of date. On the contrary: especially in an age when, in the light of our throwaway society, people are beginning to wonder how much ownership actually still makes sense, the timeless classics are more in tune with the times than ever before.

For Lehni AG, aluminium is more than just a material: it’s the company’s DNA. Ursula and Heinz Menet, the brother-and-sister team who have been guiding the company’s fortunes since 1998, are as fascinated by it as ever. ‘It’s a fantastic material. It’s light, long-lasting, and – thanks to surface finishes suited to the material, like anodising – it takes on a gleam that reminds you of mother-of-pearl,’ says Ursula Menet. ‘However,’ continues her brother, ‘the kind of perfect workmanship that we want to give our customers calls for a very high level of expertise, which we’re only able to achieve thanks to a long-serving staff and internal training efforts.’

For a good six years now, Lehni has also been specialising in the production of aluminium kitchens. In the meantime, this line of business accounts for about 20% of turnover. The Menets have installed Lehni kitchens in their own homes too. ‘They’re not just aesthetic, they’re very easy to take care of as well,’ says Ursula Menet, speaking from experience.

In spring 2021, the furniture division will be launching a new product – in collaboration with designer Frédéric Dedelley and Christian Kaegi of Qwstion. That’s all we can reveal for now – but it seems safe to assume that this design will have the makings of a classic too. Because at the end of the day, staying true to yourself is the only way to succeed.

Photos: Marion Nitsch, Stephan Rappo, Lehni AG

Text: Anita Simeon Lutz

Lehni AG
Im Schörli 4
8600 Dübendorf
Tel. +41 (0)44 802 12 12
lehni@lehni.ch