Three decades ago, long before agile working, hybrid arrangements, and coworking became everyday concepts, office furniture manufacturer Wilkhahn was already deeply engaged with collaborative workspace design. Based in Bad Münder, Lower Saxony, this family business—originally founded as a chair factory during the imperial era—had championed innovation, durability, and user-centered design since the 1950s. These principles shaped "Confair," a groundbreaking flexible system designed for dynamic workshop environments. It's a philosophy that resonates deeply with designer Andreas Störiko. In 1992, Störiko began his collaboration with Wilkhahn, creating the centerpiece of the "Confair" series: a minimalist conference table engineered with a refined spring mechanism that delivers remarkable practicality. The table folds vertically with effortless grace, streamlining both transport and storage. The process is intuitive: release the double-wheel brakes and lift the tabletop sections toward the center. To unfold, simply grip lower on the surface to leverage the mechanics. Multiple rectangular tables can be seamlessly connected for larger groups. Optional cable management systems and power outlets—continuously updated to meet evolving technological standards—integrate seamlessly into the design. Interestingly, Störiko developed the iconic folding table primarily in the United States, having just begun a prestigious fellowship at the Cranbrook Academy of Art in Michigan following his studies at Stuttgart's State Academy of Fine Arts. The early internet era meant his sketches traveled to Germany by fax. The world premiere came in 1994 at Orgatec in Cologne. That same year, Störiko relocated to Milan, where—after assisting renowned designer Richard Sapper—he and his wife Charlotte Regen Störiko established their own design studio. The family has since returned to Germany, and Störiko's partnership with Wilkhahn continues to thrive.

www.wilkhahn.com

Photography:
Wilkhahn

(Published in CUBE 03|25)