A rich history in cabinet making and a return to ‘the old ways’ has given Team 7 their vision for the future. Alice Blackwood meets with them following their launch into the Australian market.
December 7th, 2011
“We went back to the beginning and used our grandfather’s non-toxic rules,” says the International Sales Manager for Team 7, Oliver Bayerl.
Bayerl is referring to the years 1980-1981 in which the then founder of Austrian furniture design company, Team 7, saw a proliferation of white lacquer furniture spreading across consumer markets, and decided to do things differently.
It was at this point that Team 7 re-focused their vision on their rich cabinet making heritage, and the country’s rich source of sustainably grown timber, to make furniture – just “like our grandfathers” using solid wood over MDF, and oil and beeswax over lacquer.
Showing the new collection at IMM Cologne in 1981 was, as Oliver describes it, “a disaster” with distributors, yet a success with end consumers looking for something really different.
Today Team 7 is renowned for their solid wood timber furniture which carries an air of pared-back natural beauty, as well as their sustainable practices.
The latter came almost as if by fate, says Oliver.
“We realised that we use only timber from sustainably managed forests, we use glue that is free of formaldehyde, and use beeswax on our surfaces.”
Designers Jacob Strobel (top) and Sebastian Desch
Speaking of forests, Team 7 actually builds a percentage of their furniture using wood sourced from their very own sustainable forest.
This, combined with an in-house saw mill, means their capabilities for building custom-made solid wood furniture for all areas of the home is greatly enhanced.
Further confirming their reputation as suppliers of solid wood is their relationship with leading brands such as Steinway & Sons pianos, and bathroom brand Villeroy & Boch.
Their furniture is now available in Australia, a country which Oliver feels has a strong appreciation for environmentally conscious design, as well as the integrity and beauty of natural materials.
“It’s a good match” for a company whose forward-thinking values is informed by its rich heritage.
Team 7
team7.at/en
Distributed by Popcorn Interiors.
A searchable and comprehensive guide for specifying leading products and their suppliers
Keep up to date with the latest and greatest from our industry BFF's!
Sub-Zero and Wolf’s prestigious Kitchen Design Contest (KDC) has celebrated the very best in kitchen innovation and aesthetics for three decades now. Recognising premier kitchen design professionals from around the globe, the KDC facilitates innovation, style and functionality that pushes boundaries.
In the pursuit of an uplifting synergy between the inner world and the surrounding environment, internationally acclaimed Interior Architect and Designer Lorena Gaxiola transform the vibration of the auspicious number ‘8’ into mesmerising artistry alongside the Feltex design team, brought to you by GH Commercial.
Inspiration can strike at any time. Recognising this, Steelcase has initiated a new talk series that offers creative inspiration from people outside of traditional creative roles. And the latest one in Hong Kong was a smash hit, with multi-disciplinary talent Rueben Wu taking to the stage.
Sullivan+Strumpf Sydney kicks off the year with a compelling showcase featuring two significant bodies of work by renowned Aboriginal artist Tony Albert.
The internet never sleeps! Here's the stuff you might have missed
Found within the verdant landscape of Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, Sona Reddy’s design for this authentic Andhra restaurant adeptly fuses textural rhythms with traditional materials.
As one of the many entries to The Building category at the 2024 INDE.Awards, this community centre is something out of the ordinary through its architectural design, that also provides a place for community and connection for many.