Apparently distant traditions, but within Stand, they know how to share the scene and dialogue with each other in harmony. Almost ten years later, the new edition of the Ex.t collection, in collaboration with Norm Architects , focuses on materials, also opening up to wood. In today's design, what role does the choice of material have in terms of sustainable production? The famous Copenhagen studio answers.
THE STAND COLLECTION IS ICONIC FOR ITS ELEGANT SOBRIETY. WHAT INSPIRED IT?
"The Stand collection was inspired by an old planter we found at a flea market in New York while we were working on ideas for Ex.t. We were obsessed with old and new bathtubs and sinks, so everything we saw immediately turned into bathroom ideas. When we saw the old planter, it just made sense to put a bathtub on a four-legged structure."
THE BATHTUB, IN FACT, REINTERPRETS CLASSIC SHAPES IN A CONTEMPORARY WAY.
"Yes, definitely. Legs on a bathtub is a very old idea and we think it's great to have a reference to the past. It's recognisable and new at the same time."
THE NEW EDITION OF STAND IS “COVERED” WITH ASH WOOD. HOW MUCH DO MATERIALS MATTER IN DESIGN?
"We strongly believe that there is a lot of warmth in architecture and design nowadays. “Warm” colours and “warm” materials are everywhere in our interiors, so this wood edition makes a lot of sense to us. Wood is and will always be part of the DNA of our studios and it would be great to explore this further in our collaboration with Ex.t."
SCANDINAVIAN DESIGN IS VERY RELATED TO QUALITY AND FUNCTION RATHER THAN AESTHETIC TRENDS. IS A MORE CONCRETE AND SUSTAINABLE DESIGN RETURNING?
"It's true: at the moment, the general trend for designers and companies is to focus on quality, functionality and sustainability over aesthetic trends. But we believe it is a natural consequence of the fact that people are becoming increasingly aware that functionality, durable materials and timeless design are in perfect harmony with the current demand for sustainable design."
"By prioritizing the main purpose of each piece and leaving out the big boxes, we are trying to encourage people to have less hidden clutter in their furniture! When space is limited or even non-existent, you have to be conscious of what you buy and what you store. The result is perhaps a simpler life and I think a lot of people really want that… Or at least that's what the success of the collection has suggested!"
