A Visit to Studio Hanne Willmann: Clean Design That Evokes Emotions

“When you sit in an armchair or a sofa, the material forms a symbiotic relationship with your body.”As we walk up the small staircase opposite the entrance, we reach the second level of the studio. From here, we spot a round shape peeking out from the back of the room. By its distinctive form, we recognize it as part of the Nana Love Seat—one of the studio’s latest creations. “The Nana Love Seat is a product we created for the manufacturer FreiFrau, who gave us a lot of freedom in designing it,” Willmann tells us. It is an upholstered armchair with a voluminous seat and back- and armrest. While the round shapes of the Nana Love Seat are reminiscent of clouds, its clean and balanced character still communicates elegance. It is the perfect example of how soft and emotional design can be straightforward and without frills.

When discussing this particular product, Willmann shares her fascination with upholstery. “I love working on upholstered furniture because it involves more than just form and rational utility. The material itself carries a lot of emotionality,” she continues. “When you sit in an armchair or a sofa, the material forms a symbiotic relationship with your body. For a designer, this provides an additional dimension to work with,” she explains. “You must consider not only aesthetics but also physical and emotional associations. How does sitting on the sofa make me feel? What memories or sensations does it evoke? The possibilities are vast, and I think it’s great when a sofa not only meets your expectations when you sit down on it but when it exceeds them.”