RAW TYPES: Designer Eva Söllner in Interview

To create products that not only impress in terms of quality and design, but also tell a story while at the same time capturing the pulse of the times. That was the vision of interior enthusiast and content creator Eva Söllner. Together with Metallbude , in a development process lasting more than a year, a collection was created whose unique pieces go beyond their object-like nature. The 'raw types' collection is minimalist, cubist and above all: raw. In the interview, Eva Söllner gives insights into the design process and reveals which piece of the collection is her personal favorite.

 
Eva, you launched the 'raw types' collection together with Metallbude - an interior collection that is completely different to what you know from Metallbude . It is your first project as a designer. How did this collaboration come about?
"About two years ago I had the vision of a very specific coffee table in a very specific material. At the same time, Metallbude had the idea of a co-creation collection. Since we had been working together for years, both sides had intuitively thought of each other and at the beginning of 2023 I gathered the courage and simply asked whether Metallbude could imagine such a collaboration. The idea found its way into the team It was well received and from there the journey began."
 
Can you give us a few insights into the design process that led to the final pieces in the collection?
"To be honest, I knew from the beginning which direction it should go. I had very clear ideas, especially for the coffee table and the side table. Based on this, the vase and the tray that round off this collection were created. Round is also a good keyword here: I actually wanted to have the vase as a contrast to the angular shapes and make the base of the vase circular. However, this would have been much more complex and very expensive to produce, which is why I came up with the idea of the triangular vase. Looking back, I am very happy that I designed the vase in the same way because it is something completely new and it complements the collection perfectly."

 
All pieces in the collection are made of sandblasted made of raw stainless steel. This represents a completely new look for Metallbude . Why did you choose this material in particular?
„Metallbude is known for high-quality, powder-coated metal furniture. The team here already has a large repertoire of experience in working with metals. The raw look of our joint collection was essential for me. This can also be seen in the name of the collection: 'raw types'. I'm a big fan of raw looks myself and stainless steel is a super exciting and high-quality material. In order to give the surface a silky matt look, we experimented a lot and tried out a variety of metal processing methods. For example, brushed stainless steel, stainless steel in its raw form and also sandblasted stainless steel - that is the surface we ultimately decided on. It captures light in a special way and thus makes the "corners and edges" of the pieces a highlight."
 
Speaking of "corners and edges": All products are missing a corner - that is the trademark of the 'raw types'. What does this design element symbolize for you?
"I could now, of course, tell you what the inspiration behind this bevelled corner was from the start, but to be honest it doesn't exist. I just found the idea and the look of a missing corner on all products beautiful. It makes the products special and gives them recognition value. When I saw the products for the first time in my home, I noticed how incredibly beautifully the light and the colors of the surroundings are captured in the corner. That's why you can say that the missing corner on the Products reflect the natural "imperfection". The pieces only achieve their final result in the room and in the individual environment and tell a story."

 
Is there a personal experience or story that you associate with one of the pieces from the collection?
"The coffee table has a special place in my heart. Maybe one or two people have noticed that I have never had a coffee table over the last few years. That "It was because I never found the perfect one for me. It's different now and it's a very special feeling to have designed the heart of the living room myself. But I have to say that every piece has now become dear to me and will accompany me in my everyday life from now on."