Long-term View

When working with a company like Rolf Benz, for which he has designed no less than eight tables, he appreciates the thorough and targeted development work. This resulted recently in a functional sofa that can be transformed into a full-fledged bed. The trick: The backrest, whose firm rear side makes a good sleep surface, tilts forward like the back seat of a car when the sofa is pulled out. This is a remarkable example of an important detail in an invisible area – one of the strengths of German design, in which inconspicuousness has always been an aim.

However, the designer from Baden still remains true to his favourite theme: The new table and chair program 620 (2007 for Rolf Benz, k p. 526) is his most comprehensive ensemble to date, in a way a crowning achievement of his design work, which incidentally heralds a modern revival of the traditional German bench.