RAW TYPES: Designer Eva Söllner in Interview

Creating products that not only convince in quality and design, but also tell a story, while simultaneously capturing the pulse of the times. This was the vision of interior enthusiast and content creator Eva Söllner. Together with Metallbude , a collection has been created in a development process of more than a year, whose unique pieces go beyond their objectivity. 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 have launched the 'raw types' collection together with Metallbude - an interior collection that is quite different from what one knows from Metallbude .This is your first project as a designer. How did this collaboration come about?
"About two years ago, I had a vision of a very specific coffee table in a very specific material. At the same time, Metallbude had the idea of a collection in co-creation. Since we have been working together for many years, both sides intuitively thought of each other and I then gathered the courage in early 2023 and simply asked if Metallbude could imagine such a collaboration. The idea was well received by the team and from there the journey began."
 
Can you give us some insights into the design process that led to the final pieces of 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 were created, which round off this collection. Round is also a good keyword here: Actually, I 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 costly in production, which is why I came up with the idea of the triangular vase. Looking back, I am very happy to have designed the vase this way, because it is something completely new and it perfectly complements the collection."

 
All pieces of the collection are made of sandblasted raw stainless steel. This represents a completely new look at Metallbude .Why did you specifically choose this material?
"Metallbude is well known for high-quality and powder-coated metal furniture. So the team already brings a lot of experience in working with metals. The raw look of our joint collection was essential for me. This is also reflected in the name of the collection: 'raw types'. I myself am a big fan of raw looks and stainless steel is a very exciting and high-quality material. In order to give the surface a silky matte look, we experimented a lot and tried out various metal processing methods. For example, brushed stainless steel, stainless steel in its raw form and also sandblasted stainless steel - that's the surface we finally chose."It captures light in a special way, making the 'edges and corners' of the pieces the highlight."
 
Speaking of 'edges and corners': All products are missing a corner - this is the trademark of the 'raw types'. What does this design element symbolize for you?
"Of course, I could now tell you what the initial inspiration behind this chamfered corner was, but honestly, it doesn't exist. I simply liked the idea and the look of a missing corner on all products. It makes the products something special and gives them recognition value. When I saw the products for the first time at my home, I noticed how incredibly beautifully the light and the colors of the surroundings are captured in the corner.Therefore, one can say that the missing corner on the products reflects the natural "imperfection". The pieces thus only achieve their final result in the space and in the individual environment and tell a story."

 
Is there a personal experience or a story that you associate with one of the pieces from the collection?
"The coffee table has a special place in my heart. Perhaps one or the other person has noticed that I have never had a coffee table over the past few years. This was because I simply never found the perfect one for me. That has now changed and it is a very special feeling to have designed the centerpiece of the living room myself. But I must say that every piece has grown close to my heart by now."All of them have received a special place in my home and will accompany me in my everyday life from now on.“