There’s a sense of deliberate eclecticism to Nikolai Kotlarczyk’s portfolio, undoubtedly bred from a strong graphic expression that incorporates bold curves and rationalized forms, as well as the odd decorative flourish. The Mullumbimby-born, Copenhagen-based furniture and lighting designer takes visual cues from all around and works hard to manifest them as purposeful designs relevant to interior environments.
Nikolai Kotlarczyk says his inspiration is drawn from outside the world of design.
Image:
Mathias Christensen.
“My inspiration comes from outside the world of design and I combine this with my knowledge of design history and the contemporary design industry,” he explains. “Then I ‘cook down’ or re-contextualize these inspirations into refined, beautiful products.” Nikolai’s approach is highly considered and, while simplicity drives the aesthetic, his penchant for narrative-laden concepts imbues each piece with personality, evoking curiosity and a sense of playfulness. In the Royce armchair for SP01, for example, a sculptural, curvaceous wing-back form is inspired by the loud, colourful tropical birds that lived in the rainforest where he grew up – a joyous nod to his childhood.
The concepts for the Chapel coffee table for Design By Them and the Barocche mirror, on the other hand, were informed by Nikolai’s recent European travels. “I have always loved the architecture and monumental forms of baroque churches – the scale and grandeur, materiality and theatricality – especially the ones in Italy,” he says. Chapel takes the stained glass rose window as a motif, strips it right back and repeats it to form the top of the table’s steel frame, while Barocche adopts the graphic qualities of the churches’ schematic plans to striking effect, paired with an oxidized brass finish.
Chapel’s symmetry and transparency stem from the opulence of stained glass.
Image:
Pete Daly.
These designs highlight Nikolai’s emphasis on robust materiality and the importance it plays in realizing his ideas. He often favours steel because it allows him to articulate an idea graphically, as seen in Indre, his new lighting design for Rakumba. In this instance, the fitting’s finely executed metalwork – in the form of an interlocking modular rod system – allows for configurations that are quite simply stunning. Nikolai studied interior design at Queensland College of Art, a background that has enabled him to view product design as an extension of an interior. That foundation is especially evident in Indre, which defines a space through its arrangement.
Currently working on a presentation to be shown in Milan 2022 and furniture and lighting collections for existing and new collaborators, Nikolai continues to focus on producing timeless designs. “I want my work to have relevance for many years to come,” he says. “Combining strong forms with durable, high-quality materials and great manufacturing is the best approach to design and the environment.”
Source: Architecture - architectureau
