TAF STUDIO
Describe your approach. We use a discussion-based method with materials as our focus. We are trying to achieve the best result as possible by using the lowest means – we work mainly with paper, wood and metal, but not always in the most expected way. For example, metal might end up looking like paper. How do your architecture projects influence your product
designs and vice-versa? We work with small-scale architecture that’s very connected to the everyday objects that surround us, such as villas, interiors and exhibition architecture. For us, it is very inspiring to have that context when designing objects. Often they are actually made for a particular project we are working on and then become a ‘product’ after. The ‘Atelier’ chair we designed for Artek was originally created for the new restaurant at the Nationalmuseum in Sweden. There are a lot of synergies between spatial and object design. What was your starting point for the ‘Famna’ range for
Svenskt Tenn? We were honoured to be asked by Svenskt Tenn to create a new sofa, especially as it has such a strong heritage and hasn’t released a new upholstered product for a very long time. Its factory has been making sofas for three generations and is very skilled when it comes to traditional, high-quality upholstery techniques. We wanted to take advantage of that and explore the possibilities of working with shapes that are not possible in mass production. We looked at comfy sitting poses and studied the way you use a bathtub. In the end, that also informed the final expression and usage. You’ve worked with a number of iconic brands – how do you balance their design language with your own?
We don’t have a very conscious strategy but we hope that every collaboration we do is well matched. They like us because of what we are doing and we like them – no one needs to conceal themselves.
What’s next? We’ve designed a new lamp range for Muuto and side table for String. We are also curating an exhibition about Japanese Boro textiles. ‘Famna’ sofa, from approx £6,713; ‘522’ cabinet, from approx £7,146, both Svenskt Tenn (svenskttenn.se; tafstudio.se).