Designed by the Danish collective KiBiSi – an acronym that combines Kilo Design (the industrial design studio founded by Lars Holmen), BIG (the architectural firm founded by Bjarke Ingels) and Skibstead Ideation (Jens Martin Skibsted founder of the Biomega brand) – Brick is really a collection of chairs that will not go unnoticed. Not only because of the evident formal references (and not only) to architecture – the sofa's basic component is a kind of brick but it is also a pillow and a modular structure which goes right to the essence of things. But also because of the way in which it was born. "What is a sofa but a pile of pillows for maximum comfort?" says Bjarke Ingels. "Turning the habitual modularity of sofa design into a virtue, the Brick explores the tectonic of bricklaying to stack sandbag-like cushions into architecture for comfort," continues the designer. The pillow-bricks are stitched with sartorial quality and are held together by a large button in fiber concrete, an almost graphic sign and another architectural reference also designed by KiBiSi too.
What inspired you to come up with the idea of this Brick couch series for Versus?
Jens Martin Skibsted: We wanted to make something really comfy – so to start off we were inspired by a pile of pillows. We wanted to organize them in a rational way and thought of stretcher brick bond known from architecture. We found a new mechanism to tie the stack of pillows together. To bring in a bit of tailor quality and old school furniture reference we topped it off with buttons. We couldn't find the right ones on the market, so we designed some. We made the in concrete fiber to stick with the architectural references.
How you think your architectural training is at the heart of your ability to create this collection?
Jens Martin Skibsted: I think playing around with concrete and a stretcher brick bondish modules is certainly linked to our architectural ties.
How do you think that people will react to what was a very radical couch design given how little dining rooms had changed in the previous few decades?
Jens Martin Skibsted: I have heard reactions – people really respond immediately and emotionally. Wow, in short, I hope the fact that it's still in a traditional shape & size, 1-3 seater and such, that people will dare having it next to their living room goods and chattels.
KiBiSi
Founded by Kilo Design / Lars Holme Larsen, BIG / Bjarke Ingels and Skibsted Ideation / Jens Martin Skibsted, KiBiSi is a Copenhagen based idea-driven industrial design firm. KiBiSi works with culturally leading brands and fortune 1000 companies. Each partner contributes with intelligence and experience from within his specific field providing KiBiSi with cutting edge knowledge and knowhow within the fields of architecture, design, furniture, electronics, transportation, contemporary culture and lifestyle. KiBiSi is committed to making lasting designs that carry strong ideas.
www.kibisi.com
Versus
Versus is a design company based in Denmark, a country famed for its clean uncompromising aesthetics in both architecture and furniture design. Versus is strongly rooted in traditional construction techniques and craftsmanship, yet interpreting previous design aesthetics to fit a modern life style. Versus cooperates with world-renowned international architects and designers. The Versus team holds many years' experience in the furniture industry. Versus couches are handmade and custom made to fit the customers' requests choosing from a variety of high quality materials.
www.versus.as
