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Our years and days all have something in common.
Our years and days all have something in common. They’re not quite what they seem.
They’re not quite what they seem.
Never just beginnings, middles and ends but interesting series of surprises, shocks,
Never just beginnings, middles and ends but interesting series of surprises, shocks,
delights and u-turns. Yet they always reward. With interest. Enrichment. Confidence.
delights and u-turns. Yet they always reward. With interest. Enrichment. Confidence.
Fulfilment and joy.
Fulfilment and joy.
IN SHORT, THEY’RE CONTRADICTIONS.
IN SHORT, THEY’RE CONTRADICTIONS.
Many designers assume that lives fit categories. Regular. Happy. Every-day. And that
Many designers assume that lives fit categories. Regular. Happy. Every-day. And that
places and things should do the same. Functional. Square. Bright. Inspirational.
places and things should do the same. Functional. Square. Bright. Inspirational.
Experience tells us that lives, no matter how they seem, just aren’t so.
Experience tells us that lives, no matter how they seem, just aren’t so. So indeed,
So indeed,
nor should be their environments or possessions. Or their furniture. After all, it’s a part
nor should be their environments or possessions. Or their furniture. After all, it’s a part
of life, like air, love or breakfast. To us, design should fit its users’ daily contradictions.
of life, like air, love or breakfast. To us, design should fit its users’ daily contradictions.
By being contradictions in themselves.
By being contradictions in themselves.
THE PIRA SHELF.
THE PIRA SHELF.
A CONTRADICTION BORN FROM ANOTHER.
A CONTRADICTION BORN FROM ANOTHER.
The Pira shelf is as contradictory as the man who conceived it. And the people it
The Pira shelf is as contradictory as the man who conceived it. And the people it
coexists with.
coexists with.
Olle Pira was a traditional master cabinet-maker. He crafted cherry, maple and matured
Olle Pira was a traditional master cabinet-maker. He crafted cherry, maple and matured
oak with age-old skills. Yet he still won a place at the renowned Konstfack school of art,
oak with age-old skills. Yet he still won a place at the renowned Konstfack school of art,
craft and design. The birthplace of concepts ahead of their times.
craft and design. The birthplace of concepts ahead of their times.
Hence, in 1954 he designed a mechanical miracle that adapted to various heights, yet
Hence, in 1954 he designed a mechanical miracle that adapted to various heights, yet
bore eye-stretching loads. And simultaneously, exuded a confident calm. A sensation
bore eye-stretching loads. And simultaneously, exuded a confident calm. A sensation
that all was well and cared for. Even if its owners didn’t know where the world was
that all was well and cared for. Even if its owners didn’t know where the world was
going tomorrow.
going tomorrow.
The Pira shelf. As contradictory as the lives it’s enhanced. From German librarians to office
The Pira shelf. As contradictory as the lives it’s enhanced. From German librarians to office
managers to contradictory global characters from TV, stage and screen.
managers to contradictory global characters from TV, stage and screen.
”WE SEE THE SHELF AS A PLATFORM TO ACCOMODATE DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF LIFE”.
”WE SEE THE SHELF AS A PLATFORM TO ACCOMODATE DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF LIFE”.
”A SHELF SHOULD ENHANCE SPACES AND ABOVE ALL IT SHOULD STORE
”A SHELF SHOULD ENHANCE SPACES AND ABOVE ALL IT SHOULD STORE
POSSESSIONS. A PERSONAL COMPANION TO HUMAN NATURE.”
POSSESSIONS. A PERSONAL COMPANION TO HUMAN NATURE.”
Anna von Schewen
Anna von Schewen
Villa Bäckström, a house in brick,
Villa Bäckström, a house in brick,
wood and glass.
wood and glass.
The staircase in Villa Bäckström.
The staircase in Villa Bäckström.
A spiral, yet adorned with an
A spiral, yet adorned with an
upright tower: a Pira G2 in black grey
upright tower: a Pira G2 in black grey
laquered metal, with a walnut cabinet.
laquered metal, with a walnut cabinet.
700mm wide, 2000mm high.
700mm wide, 2000mm high.
Anna von Schewen
Anna von Schewen
