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Thinking ahead

In celebration of its 30th anniversary, müller möbelfabrikation invited international design studios to offer their own interpretations of the Augsburg-based company’s approach to materials, craftsmanship and durability. The resulting collection comprises furniture and accessories that expand the metalworks’ design DNA with new perspectives.

The special edition is entitled “mūller. crafted editions. made to last” and draws on the brand’s history whilst looking clearly to the future: “For us, 30 years is not an end point, but a starting point for something new. That is why we invited young design studios to build on our 30 years of experience in the fields of metalwork, craftsmanship, quality and enduring design, interpreting it from their own perspective. The result is a range of products that stay true to our ethos, provide fresh inspiration and challenge us as manufacturers,” says Evelyn Hummel, owner and managing director of müller möbelfabrikation.

Three decades of passion for metal, artisanal precision and contemporary design: since 1996, the manufacturer has been producing metal furniture in its Augsburg workshops using artisanal series production. For the anniversary collection, the Dutch studio Daphna Laurens, René Otto and the Berlin-based creative studio Paleworks have each developed unique designs that highlight different facets of the brand. Together, they demonstrate how versatile müller’s design philosophy is, translating into various product types, contexts of use and forms of expression. The “Tabs” side table family by Daphna Laurens is a prime example of the brand’s expertise in metalwork: the “Tabs low”, “Tabs high” and “Tabs edge” models are based on delicate, curved and straight metal surfaces that define both their construction and their appearance. The effect of the furniture changes depending on the perspective, transforming a minimalist form into a multi-layered object. The different heights and surfaces interlock; they can be used individually or combined with one another, constantly opening up new configurations. Conceived from the outset to extend beyond the living space, the designs can just as easily be integrated into commercial and hospitality projects.

Paleworks Studio
Daphna Laurens
René Otto
Paleworks Studio: Coffee table "Okto"
Daphna Laurens: Sidetable-Family "Tabs"
René Otto: "Kanzo" Tray

With “Kanzo”, René Otto is expanding the collection to include a product category that has hitherto been largely absent from müller’s range: the series of trays and bowls ventures into the realm of accessories and reinterprets familiar everyday objects for living and working spaces. Clean, geometric metal forms are harmoniously combined with wooden elements, creating a balanced fusion of functionality and design character. The designs embody authenticity, clarity and a conscious approach to materials. With the “Okto” coffee table, Paleworks provides a striking creative impetus: the design brings a sculptural and playful perspective to the collection and functions as both a piece of furniture and an art object. Thanks to its striking presence, “Okto” expands the range of forms with a touch that is both glamorous and self-assured. The design thus opens up new possibilities for expression within the collection and demonstrates the versatility of metal as a material.

Together, “Tabs”, “Kanzo” and “Okto” form an anniversary project that links the brand’s past, present and future. The designs take up central themes of mūller möbelfabrikation: a fascination with metal, the combination of craftsmanship and individual design, and the commitment to creating products with long-term relevance. At the same time, they open up new perspectives on the material and broaden the design spectrum.

‘mūller. crafted editions. made to last’ will be unveiled for the first time at the Neue Räume design fair from 24 to 27 September 2026 in Hall 550 in Zurich-Oerlikon. The collection's next stops will be Destination Design, taking place from 24 to 26 January 2027 at the Klokgebouw in Eindhoven, and the Munich Design Days from 11 to 14 March 2027. With “mūller. crafted editions. made to last”, the team at müller möbelfabrikation, together with up-and-coming talents, has transformed their craftsmanship and knowledge of materials into new ideas that are here to stay.