Kasa series
Wolfgang Hartauer

Kasa
From table culture to table sculpture

This brings back memories of the good old pencil box: KASA, the Finnish word for “stack”, is the name of the new tray system Wolfgang Hartauer has designed for Tecta. “For me it‘s a sculpture – architecture en miniature,” the designer comments on his elegant wooden trays that come in round and oval shapes. And thanks to the soft grey felt disks on the bottom they are so much more than just lovely to look at. Pared and rounded down, he has added a exible joint to KASA making the system stackable, revolvable and movable.

This allows you to create miniature sculptures on your desk in a matter of seconds. They share a purpose all of Hartauer’s designs have in common: to add a bit of magic and humour to everyday life. Not to upend the natural order of things, but to keep it alive with fresh new ideas. With its geometric rigour and intelligent playfulness KASA strikes the same chord as Hartauer’s “Meterware” system. Meterware fans will realise that the tray interior has the same dimensions but now also forms the outline. Like a building, the texture of the trays is soft and vibrant. Volume, light and shadow are explored on a small scale to create a coherent structure. A kinetic system for desk and storage.

Product info
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The qualified carpenter and trained architect, who freely admits he likes to work with his hands, went freelance in 2014 with his design firm Interior Things based in Holzminden. The central theme of his work is creating clear designs and order through passion and precision. Thus also arose “Meterware”, his desk and wall tray system. True to Hartauer’s intent, a design that urges: “Take me in your hands and move me!” Powder-coated aluminium profiles hold stylish wooden or felt trays.

Everything fits, nothing catches, it’s all playfully experiential and accessible. Sensuous, tactile and precise, all at the same time. Asked what he will do in the next life, Hartauer is quick to respond: become a watchmaker. Surprising? Not really, rather the logical consequence of his approach to aesthetics and order, and truly befitting of him.