Comfort in the curve

Robert Volhard: Your collaboration with Knoll began in 2016 when you furnished the company's showroom in Los Angeles. How was this first work together?

Mark Lee: The project was fascinating for us because Knoll wanted to try something completely new. Most of their sales came from contract furniture, with studio and residential furniture playing only a minor role. At the same time, there was a shift in working practices, with home offices becoming more popular and offices becoming more homely. Knoll wanted a concept that differed from the classic showroom. The focus was on residential furniture with its own identity. We therefore created a structure that allows for different ensembles and scenarios.

Now you have continued your collaboration with a furniture design: the result is the “Biboni” sofa. This sets you in a line of great names such as Mies van der Rohe and Anni Albers. Did that create pressure to perform?

Mark Lee: I have loved furniture design for a very long time. Until now, however, I have limited myself to collecting, as I had too much respect for the task. In my work as an architect, I have designed a lot of built-in furniture over the last few years, which has given me a new perspective on the subject. I also talked to Jonathan Olivares, SVP of Design at Knoll, about what a piece of furniture that is both a lounge chair and a sofa might look like. He wanted a smaller sofa that was particularly comfortable to sit on. Something casual yet expressive, so that it would look great both against a wall and in the middle of a room.

“Biboni” is somewhat reminiscent of the Michelin tire company's mascot, “Bibendum.” Was that an inspiration for you?

Mark Lee: Exactly, the Michelin Man and Eileen Gray's “Bibendum Armchair” from 1926. At the time, she extruded the semicircle shape throughout. Today, we have even more technical possibilities to make furniture more ergonomic. We paid particular attention to the armrests, which also influenced the name: “Biboni” is a combination of “Bibendum” and “Macaroni.” The pasta shape resembles an elbow, and its form inspired us for this part. I also find it exciting how different the design looks depending on whether the cover is black, white, or a combination of the two colors. In the white version, all shadows and shades are clearly visible, while in the black version, the profile is the main focus. We think the design fits into the present day, but also recalls a style that originated in the middle of the century, like Art Deco furniture. It has been given its own character and fits in well with Knoll's existing range. The combination always results in new and exciting combinations.