A Piece of the Whole

Robert Volhard: Your manufacturer profile in the Stylepark database reads: "Holzrausch is a studio for interior design with its own workshops. Modern, ageless design is perfectly crafted. We place particular emphasis on the quality of the materials and on well-planned, finely detailed solutions. Our top priorities are reduction to the essentials and functionality." That’s how you describe yourselves. Your clients get a unique service that includes consultation, planning and realization. What are you especially proud of?

Tobias Petri: Thanks to combining an interior design studio with our own workshops and having our own clear stance on design and architecture we enjoy a unique position in Germany. Given our own training as craftsmen the connection was there from the beginning; we have always created our own designs – from interior fittings in apartments, houses or villas through to fitting out shops or trade fair presentations. The fact that we supply everything from a single source is without a doubt what makes us so special. It eliminates a whole link in the chain for our customers and for developers.

Sven Petzold: We began in 1998 and tried out a lot of things from small pieces of furniture via events through to film sets before arriving at the high-end area of private interior design. So we are not tied down or restricted but can be relatively free in the direction our designs go.

Robert Volhard: And you also make some of the details yourself – when did you start making your own handles?

Tobias Petri: We have been doing that for about 15 years now; in this field we cooperate with a metal designer and more recently with designers, too. We have become refined and more specialized in recent years. The handles are a detail that lend another special touch to the furniture.

Robert Volhard: I think that the difference to a steel handle is particularly noticeable in the feel.

Franziska von Schumann: Like you just said, you stand out for sheer quality. It is the select materials, your diversity and experience. And the perfect implementation. And the fact that you are a single source supplier. The “all-round service” is wonderful. How big is your team?

Sven Petzold: If you include Production there are 53 people in Munich. Then there is another production facility in Slovakia and our assembly team. Some of our projects take two or three years and then we normally make regular visits to the project. They are spread all over Europe so it involves a lot of organization but luckily, we have an incredibly good team – otherwise it wouldn’t be possible.

Franziska von Schumann: What does sustainability mean to you?

Sven Petzold: Obviously, a sustainable way of working is important to us. Wherever we can save energy, resources or material we do so. I’m also aware of the growing importance of the topic among our customers. And we like working with firms and creative people looking for new sustainable approaches, such as using “karuun”, a new eco-friendly material in place of plastic. A start-up firm from the Allgäu region makes this material by processing rattan. Using it contributes to preserving the rainforests and it provides an income for the farmers who grow it. We have already used it to produce interior fittings.

Robert Volhard: How do you proceed when a new project comes in? Are there restrictions as regards your budget?

Tobias Petri: No, we don’t set either a top or bottom budget limit when it comes to deciding whether to accept a project or not. And the process is different each time depending what customers want. Some of them want to be heavily involved others just need a certain service. We always adapt to the circumstances. Typically, we collaborate very closely with the clients because the more details are clarified in advance the better. We very much welcome customers having an opinion on the options we offer them and also expressing their wishes regarding the interior design. Having a holistic concept is the most important aspect. We aren’t classic service providers but rather see ourselves as partners complementing the architecture.

Robert Volhard: And now you have created a new world with the editions. How did that idea come about?

Sven Petzold: Essentially the idea came up in 2021 during our rebranding talks with Mike Meiré because the name “Holzrausch” falls short in expressing what we do. We offer a complete interior design solution and, in the process, great elements are produced by the team such as designs for chairs, tables or luminaires. We thought it was a pity these designs were not visible beyond the projects proper. We therefore selected some objects for the editions and in addition developed luminaires especially for the studio. By doing so we also demonstrate that we have our own collection, a different approach alongside the interior designs and our efforts as cabinetmakers and designers. The editions were created together with friends, architects and designers, and the ones you can see here in the studio at 17 Blumenstrasse are the first batch if your like. We continue to use the editions in our projects but they can also be bought separately and can be put to use outside of any collaboration with us. That said, naturally we do especially enjoy the projects that we can supervise from start to finish.

Tobias Petri: Added to which, we find the broadening of horizons that you get in this interdisciplinary group associated with the editions really interesting. Basically, things have just got started.

Robert Volhard: How many editions are you starting with?

Tobias Petri: With 16 items. That includes luminaires by OHA, chairs by Klaus Lichtenegger, the indoor/outdoor collection “Föppl” by RelvãoKellermann, a light and mirror object by Alexander Deubl, and a photograph by Dylan Don.

Franziska von Schumann: What criteria did you apply when selecting the furniture and luminaires for the editions?

Tobias Petri: Most of the furniture and luminaires were developed in the course of projects, some objects while we were planning the new studio in Blumenstrasse. We included the two art objects (the Deubl and the Don) and the steel chairs by Klaus Lichtenegger in the editions simply because we like them and they inspire us.