Kaschkasch Cologne Descriptive Report Mod 5004
By: Ingvild F. Bjornstad
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Contents About Kaschkasch Cologne “Floor mirror” “Keep” Summary References
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“We always try to design products that are straightforward and poetic at the same time�
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Kaschkasch Cologne Kaschkasch Cologne is a design duo, consisting of Florian Kallus and Sebastian Schneider, based in Germany. The name Kaschkasch represents ‘the balance between function and elegance’, something that is clearly relected in their designs. This pair of designers specialise in furniture and lighting, and because of their desirable expertise, they also offer art-direction and education. Kaschkasch’s portfolio consists of a number of products that combine softness and hardness which result in a highly graphic expression. At the same time as portraying a minimalistic and clean style, Kaschkasch also show playfulness in the form of light and bright colours. They use a new way of adapting already existing objects and inding unconventional solutions for traditional product use. Their collection of furniture and their list of clients attest to the fact that Kaschkasch deliver high-end, coveted design. Their genuine passion for creating candid design has taken them far despite their young age. By their own account, their aim is to make elementary and intuitive products. Making something that is not overly complicated or very decorative is one of their basic ideas. “We always try to design products that are straightforward and poetic at the same time”. (BOLIA, 2015) Kallus and Schneider ind inspiration in a great number of things, and believe that good design can be developed from any thought or inspirational object. According to them, excellent design is about ease and adaptability, as well as provoking a feeling of bliss. “For us great design is something that feels like it has never been different. Something that makes sense if you look at it or something that makes you happy if you look at it”. (BOLIA, 2015)
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Floor mirror Kaschkasch’s “loor mirror” serves as an ideal product for customers desiring beauty as well as carefully thought through functionality. Its elongated frame stretches out into a triangular shape, optimal for a corner placement. That being said, it can also be leaned against the wall in different angles. Designed to enable a full-length relection of a person, the mirror effortlessly leans against the wall with no other support than gravity. Even though the initial thought is a freestanding, leaning mirror, there is also a possibility to fasten the mirror through a hole on the top. The mirror is a sleek product that breaks with the traditional way of mounting furniture. The seamless frame wraps itself around a simple piece of relecting glass. There are no visible attachments between the mirror and the frame itself, creating an illusion of a weightless material. By constructing the top of the frame in a 90-degree triangle, it allows customers to use it as a clothing rack, combining the mirror’s usual purpose with something new. The rack is seemingly able to hold a signiicant amount of clothes, either hung on a hanger or casually placed on the rod. By creating a storage area in an original and unique matter, customers are able to keep their belongings out of the way for the purpose of space maximisation. The single piece of mirror is placed closer to the top of the frame than the bottom, once again creating an interesting detail which results in a light and airy feeling. The softedged, dynamic frame only fully covers the vertical sides of the mirror, leaving the bare edges looking naked and sharp. The matt metal contrasts the smooth relective surface of the mirror, which measures 1800 mm x 410 mm. Available for purchase through the client, MENU, “loor mirror” is available in black, white and moss green.
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Keep Designed for Bolia, “Keep” is one of the products that combines the aspects of aestheticism and purpose. On the oblique surface of the lamp, the bottom half is hollowed out, creating a pocket usable for storage. In addition to the aesthetic quality of the device, the storage pocket is highly functional because of the creative use of light. The top half of the product works as a lamp, resulting in a two-in-one system which allows you to store your belongings whilst at the same time adding a speck of light to the room. “Keep” is available in one colour, matt white. The matt texture of the surface conveys a more high-end feeling, compared to mass-produced plastic products. Its round, organic shape is hardened by the sharp line cutting the middle of it, where the top part provides light, and the bottom part serves as an oval tray. Objects like keys, wallet etc. are suitable for storing in “Keep”s pouch of light. By adding volume to the bottom part of the circle, it creates an element of movement and life to an otherwise plain geometric shape. Cleverly combining two functions in one product seems to be one of Kashkasch’s trademarks, and is a sign of conscious decision making. One of the interesting aspects of “Keep”’s design is the reined details. The fact that the edge dividing the circle is placed slightly more towards the bottom, and that the lower curved line varies just slightly in its thickness, are factors that make the products more interesting as opposed to if they were absent. The lamp’s electricity is supplied by a cord hanging down from the middle of the device. In terms of scale, the lamp is dimensioned with a 280 mm radius, and is 95 mm deep.
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By focusing on detailed observation in their inspiration, Kaschkasch create products that relect their interest in both elegance and functionality. Their hugely successful designs express a lightness and simplicity to them at the same time as they convey a sense of playfulness. “Keep” and “loor mirror” are just two of many products that convey the speciic style of Kaschkasch Cologne. As both of these products show, multi-functionality is one aspect these designers really emphasize. By using a palette consisting of colours toned down to a minimum, and making furniture with a purpose of space maximisation, this designer duo eliminate to elaborate. All in all Kaschkasch Cologne’s seemingly effortless design makes you want to move into an airy bright loft somewhere in Scandinavia and surround yourself with their furniture.
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References BOLIA (2015). Meet the designers. Available at: Bolia’s Website. <https://www.bolia.com/en/products/20-097-01_2601465> (accessed 20.10.2015) KASCHKASCH (n.d.). Who. Available at Kaschkasch Cologne’s Website. <http://kaschkasch.com/who.html> (accessed 15.10.2015)
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