[Translate to english:] Produkt- und Möbeldesigner, Simbach am Inn / Bayern

 

“Design in the villa” is his slogan, which is meant to refer not to the pleasant working atmosphere in the Wilhelminian house he renovated, but to the fact that everything belonging to modern design is brought together here under one roof. Ballendat has expanded the studio, which is within walking distance of the Austrian border, into a complete development office, similar to Reiner Moll or ITO-Design. Many of his clients do in fact come from Austria, but also from the USA, Great Britain and Switzerland, joined by such diverse German manufacturers as Brunner, Dauphin, Hülsta and Interstuhl. Ballendat, who sees himself as a “problem-solver”, employs a staff of ten, three of whom are occupied solely with building models. The industrial designer, who, following studies at the Folkwang School in Essen, worked for over ten years for various office furniture manufacturers, is among today’s up-and-coming designers. One reason for his success is the full range of services he offers: from the idea sketch, to detailed models, to marketing. “We wrestle with every design down to the last detail” explains the perfectionist. Another decisive factor is of course building a good relationship with the corporate management, which must by all means play a role in the process. A specialty are swivelling office chairs. Ballendat always manages to find new refinements for these sitting machines, such as the innovative telescopic frame made of aluminium and plastic parts in the model Xenium (for Grahl). This premium chair has a webbing backrest, in Ballendat’s view a user-friendly element that lends transparency and lightness. Lightweight construction is a favourite theme of his, from the wooden M.O.D. stacking chair to the office cabinet system Float with its thin, transparent polycarbonate panels (both for Wiesner Hager). In addition to technical innovation, original form is also important to him, such as in his Loungesessel (Lounge Chair) for WK Wohnen in which the delicate metal legs, round seat and sweeping backrest of knitted net fabric display unusual proportions. Designs for pleasant living in the office and elsewhere include the easychair L@p (for Rossin), with an “enveloping” backrest that forms a practical shelf, as well as the Tempus executive chair (for Brunner) in which visual lightness is coupled with cantilevered comfort.