The Kohlmaier brothers made highly corona-compliant use of their courtyard to present their new series of seating furniture “Platforms” during VIENNA DESIGN WEEK. The location had a number of advantages: It was possible to toast, try out, and study the presented pieces from every angle. Kohlmaier is a Vienna institution and, together with its furniture creations, has been a partner of VIENNA DESIGN WEEK for years. For the Kohlmaier brothers, irony and a twinkle of the eye are not only indispensable in a time of crisis but, rather, essential to their cooperative understanding of design. Thus, the family company, which was founded in 1884, has always sought to develop its upholstered furniture in close cooperation with experts from the fields of architecture, design, and art. The Platforms armchairs that were on show this year represent another such cooperation with the label Airture. The seating range, which can be extended by adding modular table, cushion, and strap elements, is based on a platform, which lends the range its name. This provides a basic framework upon which these cheerfully vibrant roommates can use the brightly colored basic concept to create countless variations. For example, the height of the piece of furniture can be chosen freely in line with its area of use: from ultra-low in private spaces to standard seating heights for waiting areas, foyers, and meeting rooms. As with all Airture designs, this series also seeks to wittily question familiar patterns (of perception) – the idiosyncratic, angular forms surprise users with their extra-soft comfort and ultra-slender construction.

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