The design that looks so light and easy took a long time to develop. “The constructive idea should permeate the piece of furniture.” This design approach, reminiscent of the “constructor” Jean Prouvé, also inspired Thomas Schnur. The young designer visited the Cantilever Chair Museum in Lauenförde for the first time years ago. “I was electrified by the pioneering spirit of Stefan Wewerka and Jean Prouvé.” For Schnur this was the inspiration and motivation to develop something of his own. “The underlying constructive idea is immediately apparent in the K5 table. Tubular steel penetrates the space as a line, its two folded surfaces give the table stability while supporting the round tabletop.”

Understanding furniture is a central factor for Thomas Schnur. The trained carpenter only believes in what he can touch and try out. “I acquired this down-to-earth nature in my home village.” In the K5, he has created a constructive piece of furniture that Tecta produces in its own factory and in three different sizes. A nesting table that evokes Prouvé’s bent steel furniture and effortlessly adapts to any use with its light, organic shape. Its steel body is welded and powder-coated, making it suitable both for indoors and outdoors

Thomas Schnur has been teaching at the ecosign design academy in Cologne since 2016. His aim is not only to design products, but also to realise them with his students. “I see this as a contrast to the kind of teaching that focuses increasingly on designing on your computer nowadays.” In 2017 he published the book Common Things, which was presented at the exhibition of the same name in Munich, Cologne and Leipzig. For his latest chair design, a stackable wooden chair, he received the German Design Award 2019.