People work at their kitchen tables and eat at their desks. Things are becoming smaller, more user friendly and faster, we ourselves are becoming more flexible and spontaneous. The habits of daily life are in a process of radical change, traditional behaviour patterns are being replaced by new ones. Perception and thinking adjust to this. New working conditions and communication patterns shift the requirements for products whose traditional use always seemed to be self-evident. How can a table, shelf or book remain credible? Which new needs can be met?
The goal of L&Z is to develop products, which address and respond to this process in an intelligent way. Sustainable and ergonomic, our high quality designs are efficiently produced whilst retaining beauty in their design. Products that are dedicated to the classical modern principles of functionality and high value, but are contrasted by a hint of irrationality. Practical and reasonably priced items, embellished in their final stage of development by a characteristic, emotional note, which strengthens their bond to people. Objects that find mere function, as well as pure decoration unsatisfying.
The Company
L&Z was established in Berlin in 2011 by Lorch and Zimmermann. In cooperation with both leading and young designers, the label develops and produces mobile and performance-oriented products for the requirements of today’s workplace. This approach – more specifically the Ed Mobile Pedestal – was awarded the German Design Award in 2013. L&Z products are available in stores internationally and via the L&Z online shop.
Designer
Rupert Kopp
Rupert Kopp Product Design was established in Berlin in the year 2000. The office focuses on the design of luminaires, furniture and interiors. Rethinking accustomed perspectives and creating new approaches based on simplicity and sustainability lie at the core of the office’s work. This approach lends the products they design timelessness and functionality; they follow a clear idea. Together with renowned companies, the office develops products that have been featured in many design exhibitions and have won international prizes.
Michel Charlot
Michel Charlot (*1984) is a Swiss industrial designer. After graduating from the Ecole Cantonale d‘Art de Lausanne (ECAL), he worked for Jasper Morrison Ltd. In 2011, he set up his own practice and started developing various products for companies, including NAVA Design, L&Z, Belux and Vitra. He aims at creating cost-oriented, intuitive products and constantly seeks to achieve efficiency in conception, production and design. In 2013, U-Turn, Charlot’s first product for Belux, received the Design Prize Switzerland, the most prestigious Swiss award for product design.
Bettina Komenda
Bettina Komenda is a freelance fashion photographer and works for international magazines, such as Purple Fashion, Dazed & Confused and Self Service, as well as for various labels, including Christian Lacroix, Hermès, Christian Wijnants and Pelican Avenue. She was born in Innsbruck / Austria and studied graphic design and art at the University of Applied Arts Vienna. She started taking photos at the age of 28 and achieved a breakthrough in 1997 with a series of photographs for The Face, for which children were photographed in adult poses. Her works are conceptually and perfectly staged. They have been presented in various photo books and exhibitions.
Daniel Lorch
Daniel Lorch Industrial Design was founded in 2007 by Daniel Lorch in Berlin. Since then the studio has worked on commissions for international firms; in the areas of industrial design, art direction, mass customization and visual communication. Daniel Lorch is co-founder and art director of the product brand L&Z and founder of the Berlin based food truck manufacturer walkingboxes. His work received various awards, including the German design award, iF Concept Award, Design Plus Award and Design Report Award.
Geckeler Michels
GECKELER MICHELS is an industrial design studio founded in 2013 by David Geckeler and Frank Michels. Their style matrix ranges from german design roots, Berlin playfulness and a self-evident awareness for a global style in design aesthetics. For GECKELER MICHELS approaching new projects always goes along with the appropriation of a related vocabulary. In their eyes it is a crucial way to articulate integral and outstanding answers. Consequently, GECKELER MICHELS passion for materials, technology and stories can be stated as the main impulse for creating accurate and subtle products.
Relvãokellermann
RELVÃOKELLERMANN develop and create new products and objects together with its clients by constantly analysing, researching and solving problems, by discovering new usages and scenarios with an eye for new materials/technologies and changes in the current society. In 2014, after collaborating with each other for some years, Ana Relvão and Gerhardt Kellermann founded RELVÃOKELLERMANN, an office for industrial design and product development. Their work has being awarded by some of the most important international awards and part of their clients are brands like Bulthaup, Huawei, COR, Auerberg or Holzrausch, or inventors who are seeking to bring their patents to life.
Mark Braun
Mark Braun runs his own design studio in Berlin since 2006. His portfolio extends projects for international companies like L&Z, Nomos Glashütte, E15, Thonet, Hartô, Mühle Shaving, wallpaper* and many more. His products were honored with various awards, like Good Design Award, IF Award and German Design Award. His studio editions have been on show at well known galleries like Libby Sellers/ London and S.Bensimon/ Paris. Since 2015, Mark Braun is professor for Industrial Design at HBK Saar.
