Clean Lined Concrete

Architecture and design studio, Nina Mair, is an interdisciplinary team of architects, designers, and artisans who ensure handicraft is at the heart of their projects. The studio’s designs are characterised by an understanding of materials, timeless design, functionality and sense of humour.

Continue reading to find out more about Nina Mair’s concrete table, featured at Mint as part of 2015’s Twisting Traditions exhibition for LDF, and the studio’s other projects.

Nina Mair studio located in the heart of the spectacular alpine landscape of Austria

Nina Mair, born in Austria, studied architecture at Accademia delle Belle Arti in Florence, Italy and at Leopold Franzens University in Innsbruck. Mair ensures each design process starts with extensive experiments on material in order to understand its characteristics and opportunities. In her studio in Innsbruck, Nina Mair develops prototypes – from ceramic models, functional prototypes in wood and knitting tools, up to weaving and sewing patterns in textiles. Looking at something in its entirety, from the object to a building and vice versa is based on her passion for architecture:

“Architecture is not a vessel that is filled with items. It is a space of possibilities for its internal users. I consider my work to be successful when it stirs people emotionally.”

Concrete Table

Deeply rooted in architecture –  based on experience gained from reinforced concrete structures –  this unusual table is a reflection of the engagement with self-supporting structures. Concrete Table has the stability of a building, but at the same time it is almost feminine and delicate. With a thickness of only 3 cm, the steel reinforced table spans 220 cm.

A joint in the concrete accentuates the elegant curve of the transition between the table top and the legs, which is highlighted by the feel of the smooth polished and waxed surface.

Concrete Table at Mint

The projects are founded in sustainability, while generating a strong identity for each product and space.

Nina Mair finds her inspiration in the everyday life. The observation of people, their behaviour and handling of objects provide her with the perfect source of new stories:

“There is a lot to learn about different cultures, if you watch closely how people acquire the public, but also how they adapt their very own private space.”

Mair designs products and spaces which tell stories. See below for further projects undertaken by the design studio.

Cypris Mirror

Cypris embodies the symbiotic relationship between simplicity and elegance. As an object that is not only beautiful, but emphasises and celebrates beauty, it is worthy of the goddess it is named after. Cypris is one of the names for Aphrodite, symbol of love, beauty and sensuality in Greek mythology. The subtle rounded brass frame surrounds the mirror like a ribbon, ennobling it, giving it grace and elegance. The interplay between the flowing form of the ribbon and the warm, archaic character of the metal gives the object a soft, harmonious appearance. The reflection of the viewer is framed like an artwork.

Saddler lounge chair

Saddler is a multi-sensual experience, enhanced by contrast and the distinctiveness of the unexpected. The seat and the backrest of the easy chair are formed as a smooth landscape of valleys and hills. The frame contains itself and sports artful details of joinery being assembled by mortise and tenon. Two different types of wood are worked with to produce a light-dark combination.

Mair’s designs are founded in the relationships with her customers. Working closely with her customers, Mair develops a storyboard in the first place, which describes the entire design process. Providing an outline from the design process up to realization, the storyboard serves as a basis for the development of objects and architectural designs. This thorough design process is apparent in the refined finish of the pieces.
Images © Markus Bstieler, Bachir Nader, Michael Groth, Peter Philipp and Mint