Jeannette Altherr is one half of the Barcelona-based design studio Lievore Altherr, which she runs with partner Alberto Lievore. The multidisciplinary studio specializes in product design & development, strategic consulting, creative direction, art direction and ephemeral architecture for internationally recognized design companies. German-born Altherr develops award-winning products and projects using an established strategy: a creative concept integrating product design and its communication. In her role as creative director of the Italian furnishings company Arper, Altherr’s holistic approach comes to light with humanist character in search for the essential, a vision she’s worked with Arper to realize through color, product, spaces and more. This combined with a sensibility that transmits harmony and balance – characterize the designs of Jeannette Altherr and her work with Arper.
Your work is comprised of several disciplines and design across many product types. How does your work in one area inform the others?
There is a constant interchange between our work in product design, interior design and art direction. When designing a new product, we think about function and how a piece will be used within an interior. Whereas, providing art direction for a photoshoot involves a deep sense and understanding of composition and color, which often informs the colors and finishes offered for a product. It widens our perspective and understanding.
Detail of Kinesit task chair – Image courtesy of Arper, photo by Marco Covi
Your recent designs for Arper are geared for use in multiple workplace situations. Thinking back over several years what do you think are the most significant changes in workplace that have made you think about your product designs differently?
For sure the digital revolution, which transformed the anonymous functional workspace into a wide range of more flexible workspaces with diverse expressions. Arper’s Kinesit chair is a clear example of a product designed in response to this shift. Before workplaces went digital, we were never interested in doing a standard task chair. But, with more technology in the office, the use of laptops and smartphones made us ask ourselves why a work chair couldn’t have the same integrated, invisible and intelligent use of smart technology as our digital devices? And, at the same time, be beautiful, to aesthetically allow for seamless integration into all kinds of different environments, from the office to the home.
Kineset task chairs are available with multiple finishes and features. Image courtesy of Arper, photo by Marco Covi
With all the focus on “collaboration” and “productivity” I see your product Paravan as a solution to manage space definition and create zones of privacy without permanent walls. What other products do you see evolving to manage those issues of acoustics and visual distraction that are front and center in the complaints about the open office?
With Paravan we introduced a freestanding acoustic solution with a minimal approach. The design is visually quiet, yet elegant and incredibly versatile and functional. On the other hand, with Parentesit we explored more decorative wall hanging options because sometimes there is no space for freestanding pieces; and it can also be used in a more sculptural way. Both offer acoustical benefits, but on two different sides of a spectrum. Paravan will evolve into a larger collection, with a lot of nice additions, so stay tuned for more in 2019.