DURING THE MILAN FURNITURE FAIR 2019, KOBER - PORZELLAN AND OLIVARI – HANDLES PRESENTED "ENTER PORCELAIN", AN EXHIBITION AT PALAZZO LITTA

KOBER, the German company known for technical ceramics, has been developing unique, high-end door handle concepts in collaboration with eleven renowned designers. KOBER decided to carry out research and experimentation on the use of porcelain for handles, and met in OLIVARI, Italian company leader in the production of handles for doors and windows, the ideal partner. The workshop’s results will be shown in an exhibition with the title Enter Porcelain, staged at Palazzo Litta during the Milan interior design week. Eleven designers, from different regions of Germany, involved through several workshops, which have engaged them for more than a year, have developed new ideas and versatile concepts to use this special material, porcelain, combined with brass, giving life to a unique and varied collection of handles, different in shapes and sizes, finishes and colors. They are produced using a variety of production methods. KOBER wants to motivate designers to use and to reinterpret porcelain in modern ways.Italian company OLIVARI, leader in the production of handles for doors and windows, has always sought the highest quality, using the best raw materials - such as brass - and relying on the creativity of the best architects and designers.The show also provided an overview of the many different production methods used at KOBER. The German company, leader in the production of high quality porcelain items, is equipped with advanced and diversified technologies in this field and is interested in making its production potential known to a wide and qualified selection of designers and companies.Both KOBER and OLIVARI have a history of more than 100 years. This has fostered a very close understanding for this joint and strategic research initiative.On the occasion of the 2019 Design Week at Palazzo Litta KOBER and OLIVARI, they were pleased to present the models of handles that have emerged from this collaboration, together with a significant overview of the technologies that both companies have made available: IDO, designed by Sarah and Henrik Böttger, is especially suitable for public areas, large and sliding doors due to its reduced shape. The surface highlights the quality of porcelain and forms a solid and durable object that offers various possibilities of handling. The pull handle emphasizes the modernity of the familiar material in a new context.Mark Braun developed three handles for the exhibition: INSIDE OUT, VOLT and UNITS. The hollow doorhandle with a layer of gold inside, INSIDE OUT, highlights porcelain in its pure qualities and serves with gentle ergonomics. VOLT is a significant rippled doorhandle which is surprisingly comfortable, with a high usability. Made in white and black glazed porcelain. UNITS, a playful cylindrical doorhandle wit almost endless variations by combining glazed units in four different lengths and seven colors.PUSH AND PULL by Uli Budde are porcelain door mountings, semantically designed to be clear about the direction the door should be opened. Geometrical and bold, yet soft and organic – both handles are meant for both vertical and horizontal use.The geometric element of the handle TRIM designed by Laura Jungmann is the cylinder, which can be found both in the blank and in the recessed grips. Rotationally symmetrical bodies are intersected in such a way that a dynamic and ergonomic contour is created. Thumb, index finger and ball of the hand intuitively find their place.Studio Kai Linke developed with RITO a handle that serves as an interface between man and architecture. Out of round handle-neck made of metal forms an oval, hand-flattering handle made of ceramic and convinced with comfort and clearly curved contour. The deliberate change of material from metallic to ceramic surfaces underlines the flowing form and high quality workmanship.2 drafts come from Design Studio Niruk: The door handles HOMAGE are inspired by Bauhaus architecture and the industrial production method of extruding porcelain in strands. Uncoated brass will get a patina and a vivid surface over time, while the black version focuses more on the graphic look. SENSO is a doorknob born from the fascination of new tactile structures in porcelain, resulting in a clear design with almost technical appeal.EXTRUSION by Studio Jonathan Radetz does not only recite Walter Gropius’ famous classic, its color scheme and shape dismantles the masterpiece into its every function. CIRCLE unifies an entrance area’s definitive information and function all in one spot, thus calming the outer appearance with the notion of high-class architecture.ALPHABET OF HANDLES is a metal rod designed by Thomas Schnur and crafted by OLIVARI which forms different gestures and leads over to a hand-flattering ceramic produced by KOBER. The meandering metal part of HANDS ON reflects the technical expertise from OLIVARI and creates a perfect transition to the precisely extruded ceramics from KOBER.Martha Schwindling makes use of the signifiers of entrances and exits with SIGN: The long-lasting porcelain serves as decoration and transforms the handle and knob into a plate for any desired indication.FORME BLANCHE by Talbot & Mauloubier is a door handle entirely made of porcelain, improved for mass production. Establishing an alternative to metal or nylon while providing a greater level of durability. Handle and rose cover are merged into one overall, iconic shape. A canvas for color and pattern variations, to match with any interiors.Beate Wich-Reif developed an unique design concept driven by the values of modern minimalistic aesthetics and brought to life by the fine art of porcelain making. STEP escalated opportunities for interior design with various glazes and decals.For more information, visit www.olivari.com.sg