Vitsœ
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
This article does not cite any references or sources. (December 2006) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. |
Vitsœ (alternately, Vitsoe, pronounced Vit-sue) is a company founded in Denmark that has been selling the same shelving system worldwide for forty years.
Contents |
[edit] Company history
Niels Wiese Vitsœ (1913-1995) was introduced to Dieter Rams by fellow designer Otto Zapf. In 1959 they founded a company called Vitsœ+Zapf to manufacture Rams's furniture designs. Although Rams was working for Braun at the time, Erwin and Arthur Braun decided to allow him to work on side projects.
In 1970, the company was renamed 'Vitsœ' (formally called Wiese Vitsœ) when Otto Zapf left the company.
The Vitsœ moved to London in 1985. Since 1995, the company and all manufacturing have been based in England.
The company's Frankfurt showroom is used for meetings of designers from around the world.
[edit] 601 chair
Vitsœ's first commercial success was the model 601 chair, now discontinued. A spartan chair consisting of a simple metal frame with a fabric, vinyl, or leather seat, the chair exemplified Dieter Rams's emphasis on minimalism combined with excellent function.
[edit] 606 Universal Shelving System
The company is known for its modular 606 Universal Shelving System, whose timeless design emphasizes functionality, and features clean lines. Although it has the appearance of built-in architectural details when installed, the system was designed to be movable, and requires very few tools for installation and dismantle.
The original 606 Universal Shelving System design was the 6th design created by the company in 1960, which is where the name originates.
The 606 Universal Shelving System has won multiple awards for design excellence, and is part of the collection of Museum of Modern Art in New York City.
It has been manufactured continuously since introduction, and is available through Vitsœ.
[edit] 620 Chair Programme
One of Vitsœ's most revolutionary and award winning products was the 620 Chair Programme.
The 620 is a modular chair. Delivered from the factory in a kit of parts, which at the time was almost unheard of for any chair, much less a chair like the 620.
Because of modular construction, 620 can be converted from a low back to a high back chair by the owner. The legs of the 620 can be removed and replaced with casters, a combination of legs and casters, or a swivel base. The arms of the chair are removable, and if desired, additional chairs can be connected to form a sofa of any desired length. All of the chair's upholstery is removable and replaceable.
620 was discontinued for over thirty years, but Vitsœ resumed production of the chair in 2006.
The chair has been a part of the Victoria and Albert Museum's permanent collection since 1970. The 620 won the Rosenthal Studio Prize in 1966 and a Gold Medal at the International Furniture Exhibition in Vienna in 1969.
