ARV COLLECTION | BRDR. KRÜGER & STUDIO DAVID THULSTRUP
Description provided by the designers. Brdr. Krüger, the fifth-generation Danish furniture company, has collaborated with Studio David Thulstrup on a bespoke collection of furniture for the new noma restaurant in Copenhagen. The furniture pieces – titled ARV (the Danish word for heritage) – will become part of Brdr. Krüger’s core collection and will be available to buy through the Brdr. Krüger website and a select number of retailers worldwide from March 2018.
Head Chef and Founder of Noma, René Redzepi, commissioned Studio David Thulstrup to design the new home of noma and a series of furniture pieces for the new space and David Thulstrup collaborated with Brdr. Krüger to create a new collection of furniture designed to complement the spirit of the new noma space.
The ARV chair is classic yet contemporary in aesthetic, with a striking yet timeless quality. ARV is elegant and light, yet its signature craftsmanship accents make it incredibly tactile. The ARV chair draws on iconic traditional Danish design yet has a fresh energy and the spirit of a new generation of design.
Beneath the chair’s seemingly simple aesthetic lies a multitude of complex design details that push the conventional limits of craftsmanship. The central design feature is a “branch” formation that seamlessly connects the different parts – like branches growing from a tree trunk. The process to materialise the branching design of the chair is a highly complex one but Brdr. Krüger made no compromises to realize David Thulstrup’s true vision for the ARV chair.
Brdr. Krüger’s experience, dedication, and passion for the highest quality of craftsmanship, combined with the use of modern technology are demonstrated in the design of the backrest of the ARV chair. The piece is sculpted to form fluid curves, which are designed to support natural human movement and provide optimal seating comfort. The back leg of the ARV chair has a gentle curve and organically connects to the backrest and armrest with delicate and precise joinery.
The frame of the chair is made from oak, while the seat and backrest have been hand- woven using classic Danish paper cord. The paper cord detail was important to René Redzepi as this further emphasized the craftsmanship behind the design.
The ARV chair has a certain formality and the angle of the seat sits somewhere between a dining and desk chair. Achieving the utmost in comfort for the seat was crucial to Redzepi, whose wish for guests was to sit in an armchair without having the impression of sitting on a throne. The challenge was solved through the creation of a fine and restrained armrest for the chair to bring an understated formality.
The creation of the ARV chair required an in-depth understanding and profound depth of knowledge. With more than 130-years of history specializing in woodwork, Brdr. Krüger’s skilled and experienced team combined traditional craft techniques with modern technology. The chair is a union of the possibilities of high-precision CNC milling, handmade joinery, and the skills of Brdr. Krüger’s team of experienced craftsmen all brought together to realize this complex design.
David Thulstrup comments, “We were delighted to work with a native design brand on this special project for noma. Despite the short timeframe and complex design, Brdr. Krüger put all their strengths and efforts into making the ARV pieces and our vision for the designs possible. The furniture collection that Brdr. Krüger has brought to life is a testament to their immense passion for craftsmanship and more than 130-years experience as leading Danish makers. The ARV collection reflects this legacy in Danish design whilst remaining true to the quality and progressive values of Noma”.
The ARV table, which comes in both a round and square version, follows the design cues of the ARV chair and shares the same branch detailing in the joinery. To create a coherent and harmonious whole, Studio David Thulstrup and Brdr. Krüger worked to ensure that the armrest of the chair slides perfectly under the tabletop, ensuring perfect harmony between two.
Jonas Krüger, Creative Director of Brdr. Krüger says, “It is a great honor to be working with René Redzepi and David Thulstrup on the realization of the furniture for noma. We have relished the chance to work with two of the most creative people in their field and have enjoyed a close creative partnership with likeminded creatives who celebrate enduring values and reinterpret them for a contemporary audience. The ARV collection has a subtle complexity; it draws on our solidity of Danish design heritage but strives forward with a lean contemporary spirit.”
