Architect
profile
F
rank Böhm Studio was established in 2008 as primarily an architectural
firm but in 2010 Frank’s passions lead him to develop his furniture range.
The label now expresses a unique language in its buildings and furniture
that represents, quality, scrupulous attention to detail and meticulous
precision shown through a EuroAfrican design style.
Can you tell us a bit more about yourself and the studio.
Our studio has organically grown over the years since its inception in 2008.
Frank Böhm Studio started primarily as an architectural practice and has
since evolved to include furniture design and more recently sculpture. The
label now expresses a unique language in its buildings and furniture that represents
quality, scrupulous expression with attention to detail and meticulous precision shown
through a EuroAfrican design style, a combination of traditional and progress. We still
hope to base our relationships on trust.
Why and how did you start designing furniture?
It all comes down to the celebration of the detail in design. In architecture there are
thousands of resolved details that make up a whole. Furniture is the expression of a
single detail, or selected series of details that express an item that is quicker perceived.
The process in furniture is a simplified context. Its business formula I have always
thought to have a different pulse and temperament which was as much part of the
challenge to start this part of the studio.
How do you personally see the relationship between architecture and
furniture?
It is the expression of detail that links the two so closely. Architecture is highly complex
in regards to the detail, the time span in which it takes to become a physical structure
and the dynamics of so many people contracted onto a single project. This sets furniture
apart, as the time from conception to a finished item is fast and there are less people
involved to produce a piece. This simplified process holds its own sense of joy.
If you were forced to focus on one, architecture or furniture design, which
would you choose and why?
I have tried both ways individually and always come back to both. They both are two
very different business models and present very different challenges. Such a challenge
adds to the exhilaration of the work that we do. At times we are fortunate enough to
work on the building as architects and selected pieces of furniture for the interior.
What trends do you foresee in both architecture and furniture over the
coming years?
We most certainly are living in interesting times. We have lost 40% of our plankton
which is the oceans main belly resource; these repercussions will be seen throughout
many sectors. A new era of style has started emerging with the combination of
traditional and progress, bold, brave and now inclusive of 21st century materials but
still reflecting a sense of real craft.
80 africandesignmagazine.com