Austrian design has made fresh statements of form again and again throughout the international history of furniture, constantly reinventing our understanding of living spaces. Our designers frequently attract attention with trailblazing innovations, in tune with the latest ideas. Desirable products have a certain je ne sais quoi, an extra special something. It a question of story-telling, design language and a flair for trends. Communication and dialogue play a major role in this. “Design Function” provides a platform for interaction between young designers and successful Austrian design icons whose products have won many awards and prizes. Here industry insiders and anyone interested in high quality design can find numerous tips and fascinating reports of others’ experiences, together with addresses, links and contact details for key players and institutions in the industry.
Exciting and diverse, some sleek and minimalist, some finished with ornate traditional detailing – furniture made in Austria is incredibly varied in its design style. It combines perfect artisan craftsmanship with technically sophisticated engineering, is innovative and on-trend, yet timelessly elegant.
Designer Jacob Strobel
Designer This Weber
The skills and unique expertise of our furniture-makers encompass the widest possible range of styles – from classic and traditional to modern and minimalist, through to avant-garde. Design from Austria is rooted in its origins, which are still discernible, and inspired by innovative energy and confidence.
„For me design is a perfect symbiosis of aesthitics and functionality.“
Designer Kai Stania
Paradise Bird Collection by Luca Nichetto for Wittmann
Luca Nichetto was born in 1976 on the island of Murano, Venice. He studied at the city’s Istituto statale d’arte, before completing a degree in industrial design at the Università Iuav di Venezia in 1998. In 1999 Nichetto launched his career with the Murano glass-maker Salviati, and later became product designer and consultant for Foscarini. In 2006 he set up his own design practice in Venice. in 2011 he opened a second studio in Stockholm, where he lives and works today. Since the beginning of 2021 Nichetto has also been working as Art Director for Wittmann.
Luca Nichetto’s designs tell stories. They combine a sensual depth with a delightfully playful appeal. The potential for this balancing act is in the designer’s DNA: Luca Nichetto grew up in Venice and now lives in Stockholm. These two worlds, with all their varied cultural dimensions and contrasts, both influence his creative output.
“The organic form of the Paradise Bird Lounge Chair makes it a showpiece that can be combined with a wide range of styles. Its delicate metal frame construction gives it a sense of lightness and forms a basket lined with snug seat and back cushioning that invites you to settle in. Its charm and superlative elegance are intended as a reference to the design traditions of Vienna.”
“The organic form of the Paradise Bird Lounge Chair makes it a showpiece that can be combined with a wide range of styles. Its delicate metal frame construction gives it a sense of lightness and forms a basket lined with snug seat and back cushioning that invites you to settle in. Its charm and superlative elegance are intended as a reference to the design traditions of Vienna.”
echt.zeit table by Sebastian Desch for TEAM 7
Sebastian Desch was born in 1974 in Ried im Innkreis, Upper Austria. Initially he trained as an apprentice cabinetmaker, then specialised in interior architecture and furniture design at the technical college in Hallstatt. After a spell as planner and project leader in an architectural studio, in 1994 he joined TEAM 7 as interior architect and stylist. From 2008 onwards he began to design furniture for TEAM 7. He rose to become head of the interior design department there, and as TEAM 7’s Head of Design since 2016 is now responsible for the design of new products, further development of the range and for the company’s corporate architecture.
Sebastian Desch’s creations are based on the unique aesthetics of nature – its sensuality and versatility, and its primal strength. He creates strikingly powerful designs which showcase the material and artisan craftsmanship, but are always manufactured with great precision and sometimes a refined finish.
“The echt.zeit table is an authentic piece of nature, combining natural forms and characteristics with meticulous details and outstanding craftsmanship. I chose its name as a reminder of the importance of authentic, genuine values and the tactile experiences which sometimes get forgotten in today’s digitalised world.”
Our Role
We represent the interests of the Austrian Furniture Industry, by supporting and promoting it, sharing information, cooperating, organising and communicating. We work for – and above all with – our member companies.
