Thomas Bernstrand can boast of being both a renowned
Swedish designer and a singular rebel on the Swedish
design scene. When Thomas presented the two lamps Do
Swing and Sugar Ray at his exam exhibition at Konstfack, the
School of Arts, Crafts and Design in Stockholm, they were
immediately picked up by Droog Design which featured
them in their much-praised show during the Milano fair in
2001. A lamp which allowed you to fly over the bar counter,
and another in silicon to punch until it lit up. ‘I need to justify
what I create’, says Thomas earnestly. ‘Why make a new
product? Can I do it differently? In a more environmentally
sound way? Allow for more efficient logistics? Make it easier
to move? It can almost be anything as long as the product
offers something new, otherwise it doesn’t count.’
The same desire to challenge prevailing norms with witty
and meticulously conceived design is mirrored in Thomas’ art
project. The Beach, which won the 2008 Siena Landscape
Award, consists of sun deck furniture and parasols in a year-
round installation in the centre of Stockholm. Movable Space
is a slowly revolving light installation that in the new commuter
rail station Odenplan in Stockholm. Thomas’ education spans
industrial design and art, he studied in Stockholm at both
Konstfack – the University of Arts, Crafts and Design – and
Konsthögskolan – the University of Fine Arts – as well as at
Denmark’s Designskole. His work can be found in museums as
well as among manufacturer’s collections. Thomas has been
awarded many design prizes, among them the German
Design Award, and the prestigious Bruno Mathsson prize in
Sweden.
Which is your favourite place in Stockholm? ‘Having brunch
at Fotografiska on Stadsgårdskajen.’
Latest book by the bed? ‘Right now I’m reading ”Utopia For
Realists” by Rutger Bregman on universal basic income and
other radical ideas.’
Meet the Honken Family
Comfort for one, for two, or three? Get the whole bunch together, or chose
between the generous armchair, the intimate two-seater sofa, or the full
three-seater. Honken sports turned legs of solid oak carrying a sturdy metal mesh
stretched between visually precise steel bars. The soft and fluffy seat and lumbar
cushions are filled with polyester foam and down and have a cover in either
fabric or leather. Thomas Bernstrand, who designed Honken in collaboration
with Stefan Borselius and Johan Lindau, excels in combining elegant styling with
rough, tough design, which like any true classics will endure the test of time. Just
add a new coat of paint if ever needed, or create new cushions, all in line with
Blå Station’s sustainable furniture philosophy. All three models of Honken can be
fitted with a side table, electrical outlets and other workspace options.
Thomas Bernstrand
HONKEN
