Architect Adolf Krischanitz is one of Austria’s most renowned architects. Besides national and international architectural projects he is also active in the field of furniture design. The bentwood chair “m99” reflects Krischanitz’ identification with Austria in general and especially with his chosen home in Vienna as the creation is unmistakably a reminiscence of the Viennese coffee house culture, since 2011 intangible cultural heritage of UNESCO.
Traditional design with contemporary features
The Viennese coffee house has always been a central meeting point for literates, musicians and artists. Therefore, the coffee house culture stands for atmosphere, freedom of mind and creative working, without being alone; at the same time it is strongly connected with indulgence and relaxation. The bentwood chair “m99” perfectly fits into this context. It combines traditional with contemporary design: The softly rounded bentwood seating frame, which is typical for coffee houses, meets a clean and modern back rest, which is either completely open or equipped with plywood with or without motif cut-out. Since the wood is varnished, the chair can be adapted to its surrounding due to numerous color choices. The seat is molded and offers high seating comfort. As a design option, a seat made of traditional wickerwork can be chosen. Wickerwork is typical for Viennese coffee house chairs; its form and sturdiness derives from the transverse, longitudinal and diagonal braiding of the strands. Wickerwork adds additional transparency and lightness to the chair.
Craftsmanship "made in Austria“
“Since 2012, our portfolio includes high-class bentwood furniture by the renowned Austrian architect in the form of the ‘Krischanitz collection bentwood”, which consists of daybed, chairbed, armchair and contract chair”, says Juergen Dreher, owner of Schneeweiss AG. Since the bending of wood is an old craftsmanship requiring a great deal of experience and intuition, this collection – including the new bentwood chair “m99” – is produced by the Schneeweiss AG subsidiary Braun Lockenhaus in Burgenland, Austria. The manufacture, which has been founded in 1921, is a renowned specialist when it comes to the traditional craft of bending wood by the means of water vapor. “A computer-controlled machine will never be able to do this”, says Dreher. “And this high quality and value can be seen and felt immediately.”
About Schneeweiss AG Interior
Set up in August 2010, the Schneeweiss AG group includes furniture manufacturers Hiller Objektmöbel GmbH and Braun Lockenhaus GmbH (Austria), the design specialist Rosconi, expert for lounge furniture and lobby items as well as for professional interior, the company D-TEC, specialist for design wardrobes and furniture for entrance areas, the advertising agency Atelier Schneeweiss and the logistics company Widra Logistik. All six firms operate in the interior sector with their individual portfolios. The strategy of the corporate structure is geared to a high level of vertical integration – currently 76 per cent. From the idea and development through complete concepts for interiors, exhibition booths and stores, including their construction, as well as the production of special and standard furniture for delivery and installation of the products, distribution and marketing strategies, the group covers almost all stages of the value-added chain. Service from a single source ensures the greatest possible individuality and flexibility. Every year, around 440,000 pieces of contract furniture - from chairs and tables to wardrobes, containers and other lobby items - leave the production facilities in Kippenheim, Duesseldorf and Lockenhaus. The diversified product portfolio can be found in congress centers, in conference and seminar areas, event venues, in hotels and restaurants, but also in educational institutions as well as in nursing homes.