Design partners of VS | VS

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Design partners of VS | VS

An early sketch for the multi-award-winning, sustainable chair Stakki, created by designer Martin Ballendat

Our Design Partners Turning Ideas into innovations

We don’t just make furniture – we create design history. For more than 100 years, we have been inviting pioneers and creatives to develop new furniture together with us. The most progressive architects and designers of their time are behind products that not only impress with their function and aesthetics, but that also change how we live and work. See for yourself!

 
Black and white photograph of Wilhelm Rettig, the inventor of the famous Rettig school bench.

Wilhelm Rettig

When he developed the ‘Rettig bench’, renowned all over Germany, Wilhelm Rettig became our first design partner. He also created many buildings and innovations that attracted as many critics as admirers. Wilhelm Rettig’s life is closely interwoven with the history of VS. Take a look into the past and explore our design partner and his influence on German school furnishing.

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Portrait of the architect Stefan Behnisch

Stefan Behnisch

Aesthetic, functional, yet uncompromisingly sustainable: the name of architect Stefan Behnisch is a byword for architecture that conserves resources and makes people feel comfortable. What is less well-known is the fact that he has also created furniture systems that are so timelessly appealing and flexible that they last for decades - whether in the German Bundestag or on the other side of the Atlantic.

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Black and white close-up of the Danish architect Verner Panton

Verner Panton

The Danish architect Verner Panton was a visionary of his times. His designs are characterised by daring colour creations and creative ideas. As a VS design partner he developed several chair ranges and is, among other things, the brain behind the ‘PantoChairs’. With his passion and curiosity, Verner Panton paved the way for chairs that are ergonomic, comfortable, but never boring. See for yourself.

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Jean Nouvel

Higher, faster, further – the French architect Jean Nouvel is known for his spectacular buildings. With an impressive play between light and shadows he creates silhouettes full of clever details. But he keeps his eye on the whole and always incorporates humanity in his visions. 
He is also revolutionising the furniture industry with this creative design and has created the ‘JUMPER’ chair together with VS. This piece of furniture seems to be just as ‘alive’ as the buildings he has designed – without compromising on its functionality. Learn more about our design partner.

Portrait of the French architect and designer Jean Nouvel

‘Creating the perfect chair  is a real obstacle race.’

Designer Jean Nouvel
 
Portrait of the architect Günter Behnisch

Günter Behnisch

Can you build freedom? Günter Behnisch (1922-2010), a long-standing partner and architect of our company headquarters, could. His Olympic Park in Munich (1972) still represents the spirit of the new Federal Republic. Many other buildings still appear as light, young and carefree as when they were built. That is also true of the furniture designs that we owe to Günter Behnisch.

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Portrait of designer Martin Ballendat, who designed the stool Stakki by VS

Martin Ballendat

Less is more. Martin Ballendat really took this motto to heart when he designed an iconic chair for us that rests on three legs and is thus superior to many a four-legged chair. Not only because its triangular seat is extremely comfortable for our bottoms, but also because the VS Stakki gets on perfectly with others of its ilk. What does that mean? Find out for yourself!

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VS Stakki

 
Portrait of the architect Hubertus Eilers

Hubertus Eilers

Our cooperation with the architect and furniture designer Hubertus Eilers goes back to the 1990s, when we successfully extended our range with office furniture. Since then, the collaboration has continued to bear fruit: cupboards, room dividers, standard furniture for schools and the Lounge Series range of upholstered furniture illustrate our shared success story. Added to this are trade fair stands, offices and showrooms that this talented room designer has created for us.

 
The architect David A. Stubbs, who developed the Shift+ series together with VS.

David A Stubbs II

How do classrooms become inspiring learning environments with maximum flexibility? The American David A Stubbs II has been pondering this question for a long time. His passion is to enhance schools by fostering creativity, health, and well-being. And the path to this is through vibrant, modular furniture that maximizes the potential of every space. This is not only desks and chairs, but also cupboards, platforms – and even a tent. 

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We nurture curiosity — with well-designed furniture, good spaces, and the right questions.

 
Portrait of the designer Nicolai Fuhrmann, who developed the NF chair

Nicolai Fuhrmann

Nicolai Fuhrman, born in 1966, comes from a product design background and, since 2006, has been enhancing VS with his expertise gathered all over Europe. For example, we developed the ‘Stratos’ chair with this design partner. Fuhrmann’s design features are clearly recognisable: a love of detail and dedication to functionality. He is passionate about creating products that move people both physically and spiritually. This can also be seen in the Stratos, which harmoniously fits into modern furnishing styles with its airiness. Thanks to the open moulded wooden seat, it invites everybody to sit with its unmistakable yet comfortable character.

 
Portrait of the architect Bruno Paul, who designed a modern classroom with the successful Rettig benches from VS for the 1910 World Exhibition in Brussels.

Bruno Paul

Architect, interior designer, furniture designer, caricaturist and founding member of the Deutscher Werkbund (German Association of Craftsmen): Bruno Paul (1874-1968) excelled at many skills and was among the most progressive figures of his time. At the 1910 Brussels International Exposition, Paul was entrusted with the artistic direction of the education hall. There, he designed a model drawing classroom with Albis drawing desks and bentwood chairs by VS.

 
Portrait of the designer of the Hokki, John Harding

John Harding

The British product designer John Harding focuses on people’s health. Our design partner's developments often come about in cooperation with the users themselves – this means that they are almost customised to their individual needs. This was how the “Hokki” came about in 2010 in conjunction with VS. The chair without a back or armrests not only puts children in a good mood. On the ‘Hokki’, you can rock in every direction – that’s fun and also promotes the circulation of the blood. With innovations from John Harding you get products that are healthy for your mind and body.

Hokki

 
Portrait of designer Jürgen Greubel, who developed the NetWork table system and the Axis 360° extension and add-on concept for VS.

Jürgen Greubel

The engineer Jürgen Greubel is known for his linear and restrained design. Our design partner creates products with function to the fore. Today, his creations are collectors’ pieces; his focus is on electrically powered utilitarian objects. With VS he creates table systems that can be intelligently incorporated into modern offices and conference rooms. At the same time, they can be individually adapted to your needs. Fall for the clear structures and read more about our design partner Jürgen Greubel.

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Portrait of the architect and designer Karl Nothhelfer, who designed the skid chair and table as well as the VS administration building

Karl Nothhelfer

Learn about the man behind the most famous chair in German schools: architect Karl Nothhelfer. As our architect he designed chairs, but he also had many other talents. As an inventor, teacher and author he willingly passed on his knowledge and skills – his creative spirit reached its apex with the jointly designed ‘skid chair’. You can still take a seat on his creation and absorb the intelligence and creativity it contains. Given this tour de force, it is hardly surprising that this is one of the most frequently copied pieces of VS furniture. Rekindle memories from your childhood and discover more.

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Portrait of the architect and furniture designer Egon Eiermann

Egon Eiermann

Our design partner Egon Eiermann lived from 1904 to 1970. As a German architect and professor he was very well regarded in the postwar period and designed many buildings, especially in Berlin. His architecture was characterised by severe geometric forms and simplicity. Many of his works are still protected by a preservation order. As a professor and designer, he dedicated himself to the overall concept of a building and also created modern interior furnishings. The Egon Eiermann Collection furniture was therefore created with VS in the 1950s. Even today, you might encounter his furniture creations in the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

 
Portrait of the architect and designer Richard Neutra

Richard J. Neutra

He was one of the greats in the history of architecture and represents the ease and elegance of the Californian modern like no one else. Richard Neutra (1892-1970) also became all the rage on this side of the Atlantic and made a lasting impression on German post-war architecture. But he didn’t just design iconic buildings, he also developed seating for reading, relaxing and living. We have brought them back to life in the Neutra Furniture Collection by VS.

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portrait of Richard Riemerschmid

Richard Riemerschmid

By around 1900, monasteries and barracks were no longer the model for modern schools – a team of reformers rethought education. From as early as 1903, VS and its partner P. Johannes Müller worked with progressive designers, including Bruno Paul, the architect, and designer and art nouveau artist Richard Riemerschmid (1868-1957). In 1910, the co-founder of the Deutscher Werkbund designed a modern model classroom for the Brussels World Exposition which included a class cupboard and teacher’s desk designed by him and featuring the beloved Rettig benches – the furniture manufactured by VS.

Wooden skid chairs of VS in different pastel colours next to each other

Designers, Idea Generators, Pioneers – for 125 Years

Find out more about our progression from a manufacturer of school desks to a full-service provider for schools and offices. 

Timeline

Children play in front of an event tent at the VS holiday care Holzwürmer

Regional, Curious, Familiar. That’s VS.

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