Maarten van Severen
Like American artist Donald Judd, Maarten van Severen limited his furniture development to the practical elements he considered essential to a room: chairs, tables, shelves. He applied the fundamental question of "how do I make a room habitable?" to each of his designs. It was not about stripping down the elements, but about focusing and distilling it to "what is necessary, the pure functional and aesthetic essence."Maarten van Severen studied architecture at the Art Academy in Ghent, Belgium. He designed his first piece of furniture in 1986 and the following year he established his own studio, focusing on producing his own designs, which are difficult to fully industrialize. The process of designing and manufacturing has been the cornerstone of his work for a long time. To carry this out, Severen researched all kinds of furniture, including chairs, tables, chaise longues, shelves and cabinets. He looked into not only the design, but also the materials and construction, and came up with the solutions he needed.
In 1990, he became acquainted with the architect Rem Koolhaas and began working with him on interior design. During this time, Severen taught at various places, including the University College West Flanders in Kortrijk (1996), the Academy of Fine Arts in Maastricht (1996-97), Delft University of Technology (1998), and in 2000 at universities in Helsinki and Barcelona.
The collaboration between Severen and Vitra began in 1996, marking a new phase in his career, when he began to use new materials and to produce a wider range of works. Maarten van Severen worked with Vitra until his death in Ghent in 2005, creating a number of unique furniture designs.
Vitra develops products and environments
Vitra elevates the quality of homes, offices and public spaces through the power of design. Founded in 1950 and since.
Product and Environmental Development
Environmental considerations are expressed in every aspect of Vitra's activities: in the way we develop and manufacture our products, the way we source our raw materials and the way we organise our supply chains. Discoveries lead to further developments. At Vitra, we believe that the environment "shapes" how we think and feel. Through the power of design, we work every day to make it better.
In developing products that can be used for as long as possible , we avoid short-term trends and eliminate unnecessary elements. If the design, manufacturing method, and materials are not all in place, the product will not last.
Materials Vitra complies with official certification programs for sustainable and responsible sourcing and is committed to using materials that meet human rights and environmental standards. Products and materials are regularly analysed and assessed by external organisations. 46% of Vitra's suppliers are German and 96% are European. As a globally active company, we produce our products in the most resource-efficient way possible and deliver them to our customers all over the world.
Cultural Activities <br>Vitra is also active in the cultural sector beyond its business activities. It invests a large portion of its profits in preserving cultural heritage in design and architecture, and supports various institutions around the world, such as the Eames Foundation, which preserves the Eames House in Pacific Palisades, California, the Alvar Aalto Foundation in Finland, and the Barragan Foundation in Switzerland.
Furthermore, the Vitra Campus, located on a vast site in Weil am Rhein on the Swiss-German border, is a one-of-a-kind experimental space for architecture and design, and a place where architecture, design and art are open to everyone on an equal footing. The ongoing development of the Vitra Campus is also a sign of our mutual, long-term relationship with the region of Weil am Rhein.
Vitra Product Warranty Period
| We guarantee that our products will be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of 2 years from date of delivery. However, this does not apply to defects, damage, or malfunctions caused by the following actions: - Products that have been soiled or damaged due to use other than their normal purpose - Products that have been improperly used, mishandled or altered (such as using inappropriate chemicals to care for the fabric) Repairs for products that are out of warranty period will be charged. |
