Struktúr collection - small scale architecture for the long run

name: Struktúr
designer: Péter Nagy
author site: Péter Nagy

Komok is a Hungarian furniture brand and design studio founded by two architects. Prioritizing an architectural mindset, they design and manufacture high-quality, timeless furniture. Their goal is to provide a sustainable alternative to mass-produced, quickly obsolete furniture, reducing the ecological footprint of the furniture industry, and promoting a culture of simple, durable, and valuable, thus sustainable objects. The Struktúr tables and seating feature the familiar geometric and minimalist appearance, drawing inspiration from the structural design of industrial buildings. At the same time, sustainability is a fundamental value that remains at the forefront of their focus. The Komok studio is located in an industrial area in Budapest, and during the design process of Struktúr, the creators drew strong inspiration from the industrial environment. The collection incorporates elements from traditional industrial construction structures, such as pillars, main beams, and drawer supports. They emphasize this simple, hierarchical arrangement, and the furniture’s structural composition gives it an authentic aesthetic appeal. Each element of the collection is made of solid wood, which is a renewable, recyclable, and durable material sourced from Hungarian forest management, aligning with Komok’s green principles. The studio prioritizes locally available or locally manufactured materials and collaborates with local manufacturers during their work process. This approach reflects their commitment to using environmentally friendly resources and supporting the local community. One of the unique features of the collection is that it can be purchased without any surface treatment. This increasingly popular approach results in a more affordable and easily repairable product. Moreover, it encourages conscious usage and fosters a closer connection with the furniture for its users. Over time, the furniture acquires a beautiful patina through use, which becomes associated with stories and habits, while also allowing us to better understand the behavior, texture, and material quality of this living, natural resource. If leaving the untreated wood seems too much of a sacrifice for someone, they can easily apply oil to the surface. This natural treatment, when reapplied every six months, provides lasting protection to the furniture. The untreated furniture arrives prepared for oil treatment, but customers can also order it with surface finishing if desired. Komok considers quality as a fundamental value, which means that investing in durable and timeless furniture is not only more economical in the long run but also more sustainable. By opting for high-quality, solid wood furniture over cheaper laminated alternatives, we reduce our consumption and production, leading to a more sustainable lifestyle. Additionally, solid wood furniture’s carbon-sequestering properties make it an environmentally friendly choice, and when the time comes, it can be easily recycled and repurposed. Therefore, choosing quality and durable pieces aligns with Komok’s ethos of promoting sustainability and responsible consumption. The design of the collection also considered cost-effectiveness because reaching a wider audience with high-quality, sustainable products at an affordable price has a larger-scale positive environmental impact. For instance, by using domestic ash wood and offering the furniture without surface treatment, customers can have access to an affordable dining table that can serve them for many decades to come.

pieces of furniture together by Komok • struktúr table • kapszula d390 • onyx chair • photo by Norbert Juhász