A Table for Aachen
regional, sustainable, inclusive, creative
Regional, sustainable, inclusive, creative
Guided by this philosophy, Lebenshilfe e.V., the Demonstrationsfabrik, the Department of Design at Aachen University of Applied Sciences, and Mathes have set themselves a goal: to collaborate on the development of a table for Aachen.
A Table for Aachen – Regional, Sustainable, Inclusive, Creative
It is truly a labor of love that Thomas Mathes developed and implemented together with Lebenshilfe Aachen, Demonstrationsfabrik GmbH, and Professor Matthias Rexforth of Aachen University of Applied Sciences during the COVID-19 pandemic. At Aachen University of Applied Sciences, on the initiative of Thomas Mathes and Prof. Rexforth, the “Table and Ware” project was launched in May 2021, followed by a competition for bachelor’s students in the Department of Product Design, which focused on the design and production of a mass-producible table and accessories. The task the students took on was nothing less than redesigning a table with home office and coworking in mind. A total of 23 design models were submitted, including 16 prototyped tables and 7 accessory models—all conceived and produced under the challenging conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The table took first place Elouan by Marie Hemmers. The Office Table, designed by the newly minted product designer, is conceived for both home offices and traditional office settings and stands out for its elegant leg construction as well as its seemingly floating tabletop. Clever add-ons allow the table to be used in a wide range of settings—as a conference table, a classic home office desk, or a workbench with acoustic partitions in an open-plan office.
The jury was also impressed by TISH, a concept and design by Jana Kappel. With TISH—a compact, modern desk made of wood and steel—she secured second place in the competition and, like Marie Hemmers, will receive a licensing agreement for her design from Mathes GmbH.
Together Around One Table
But even more than the result itself, Thomas Mathes focused on the collaboration among all the parties involved, and in particular on the cooperation with the Lebenshilfe workshops.
This led to the following question: Can local partners work together to create a socially responsible, high-quality, and sustainable product that can serve as a catalyst beyond the borders of the city of Aachen? A product that both generates relevant market demand and is manufactured at competitive prices—all realized through an inclusive project based on collaborative partnership. The collaboration with Aachen University of Applied Sciences, Lebenshilfe e.V., Demonstrationsfabrik GmbH, and Mathes Einrichtungshaus demonstrates one way in which multidisciplinary collaborations in furniture design can promote inclusion and sustainability.
Social Competence in Both Social and Creative Contexts
By involving Lebenshilfe employees and their workshop supervisors, the work process was carried out in a practical, hands-on manner that promoted inclusion. Together, they explored how to bring the idea and its implementation together. This direct exchange sparked a great deal of curiosity and highlighted the diversity of life for everyone involved. The designers created their projects for and with the people. All the tables produced reflect real-life situations in a practical and immediate way. With Demonstrationsfabrik GmbH, the project had a partner from the metal fabrication sector at its side, whose expertise includes high-tech manufacturing processes. In terms of woodworking, Lebenshilfe was represented by its workshop experts both in the competition and later on the jury.
This project focused on social responsibility, sustainability, and regionality. With the “Table for Aachen,” all the partners have achieved what they set out to do from the start. The winning designs, which are now on display and available in our exhibition, demonstrate that high-quality, contemporary design can be produced locally, in series, and in an inclusive workshop—all at competitive prices. The project aims to spark new ideas and encourage and inspire others to develop their own concepts for participation. An inclusive society can be shaped in an economically viable and sustainable way—for the benefit of all. You just have to give it a try.
“Table + Ware” – a (home office) table for Aachen
Can design change the world? That’s a tough question with a very complex answer—one we can’t address here. But one thing is certain: good design can make the world a better place. However, it requires more than just an innovative idea; equally important is the socially responsible and sustainable production of the product. The “Table and Ware” competition at Aachen University of Applied Sciences and the resulting “Table for Aachen” project—a collaboration between Aachen University of Applied Sciences, Demonstrationsfabrik GmbH, Lebenshilfe e.V., and Mathes Einrichtungshaus—demonstrate how this can be achieved. The goal of the competition was to develop a product suitable for mass production that would be designed, developed, and manufactured in Aachen. As part of the “Table for Aachen” project, the award-winning designs are now featured in our exhibition and are entering mass production.
Stop by and learn more about the products and the project.
