KINZO creates inspiring conference table for Ernst ... - KINZO Berlin

Press Release
Highly functional table looks different from every perspective
KINZO creates inspiring conference
table for Ernst & Young boardroom
• Ernst & Young assigns Berlin-based design office KINZO to design oneof-a-kind
boardroom conference table
• Dynamic shape, sophisticated static structure and functionality –
handcrafted quality with silky, smooth surfaces
• The chairman’s position forms the “centre of gravity” - literally
Berlin, 11 August 2010 – The management board of Ernst & Young, one of the
world’s leading accounting and consultant firms, now meets on the top floor of their
new branch in Berlin with stunning views of the German parliament – and an
extravagant handcrafted conference table by KINZO (www.kinzo-berlin.de) to
match: The young Berlin-based architecture and design office KINZO designed a
table that echoes the curvy, slightly triangular room layout as well as the striking
architecture of the building at Berlin’s famous Friedrichstraße. With its sweeping,
dynamic and asymmetrical lines and bold structural design, this table seems to
change its looks from every angle you look at it – clearly an inspiration to “think
outside the box”! Depending on your perspective, it could remind you of a starship,
a deep-sea ray or a hydrofoil. With its design, its smooth, silky surface feel and
elaborated functional details this table nevertheless exudes the well-tempered
dignity worthy of an executive suite – while avoiding the usual wood-and-leather
stereotypes.
By exactly following the room’s ground plan, the table makes the most out of the
48 sqm, but leaves consistently ample space all around to enjoy the panoramic
views across Berlin. Four flush-mounted “media tanks” swallow unsightly cables
and provide power and network access for laptops and other devices. KINZO
designer Karim El-Ishmawi commented: “Apart from conventional meetings,
telephone and videoconferences, meeting rooms today are often used as
temporary workplaces – especially for visiting executive managers from around the
world. Therefore the conference table for Ernst & Young is designed to enable a
comfortable and effortless connection for internal and external media and devices.

The table’s shape allows many different seating arrangements that enhance
communication - for two-party meetings as well as for ”round table” discussions
and presentations. The slightly sloped table edge underlines the sporty elegance
of the design; at the same time it prevents blood stasis in the forearm.
KINZO achieved ample legroom for 15 persons so no one will bump into the table
legs – simply because there are no table legs. The handcrafted, beamless
construction (length 412 cm, width 424 cm, height of 74 cm) consists of a
combination of MDF and lightwood, which is reinforced by steel sections and
painted in matte-white. KINZO has taken a principle from structural engineering by
fixing the table’s structure on a circular beam: the inner ring supports the
cantilevered table surfaces. The balance point is cleverly placed to echo both the
spatial and structural context: the inner ring is completely closed at the table’s
“head” – the chairman’s seating position thus virtually forming the table’s “centre of
gravity”! (As a side effect, the table completely hides any view of the chairman’s
legs and feet). Starting from the “heavyweight” chairman’s position, the table looks
increasingly lighter and airier in connection with the opposing panoramic windows
– a playful take on statics, that creates a very dynamic vibe: In this way, the
conference table reminds you of a rocket that is just about to take off – and break
directly through the glass front.
Karim El-Ishmawi explains: “A successful consulting firm such as Ernst & Young
wants to foster a creative, dynamic spirit and unconventional thinking. We have
designed this table as a completely abstract object, purposely avoiding any
traditional scales, patterns and shapes, to allow interpretation and inspiration for
the members of the board. From its pure form, this abstract object could be
anything – you could see it as a sophisticated bottle opener, as a high-speed
jetfoil, a white deep-sea ray or a freeze frame of a space glider flying by at the
speed of light.“ Indeed the board table looks differently from every perspective –
sometimes oblong, sometimes wide, sometimes floating lightly and sometimes
statically grounded. This one-of-a-kind piece was realized within a tight budget
framework: an off-the-peg conference furniture system by one of the well-known
brands wouldn’t have come much cheaper. In short: With KINZO, exclusive
individuality, style and optimised functionality do not exclude cost consciousness.
About KINZO
Founded in 1998 as a label for film, design, architecture, brand and event projects, KINZO has
become internationally established for its unmistakable style and grown to be one of the
ambassadors of Berlin design avant-garde. Starting from interior projects for shops, lofts and offices,
fairs and exhibitions as well as design for events and film sets, the three architects and founders of

the company Karim El-Ishmawi, Chris Middleton and Martin Jacobs have become famous for their
distinctive, sport and science-fiction inspired elegance. In 2008, KINZO successfully ventured into
product design: Its office furniture programme KINZO AIR was awarded the red dot design award and
nominated for the 2009 German State Design Price. KINZO AIR is manufactured and distributed by
bau+art, Berlin. More information on KINZO can be found at www.kinzo-berlin.de
Press contacts:
KINZO / Office Berlin
Karim El-Ishmawi
phone +49 30 / 9700 4820
info@kinzo-architecture.com
Agency contact:
Susbauer PR
Daniela Kramer
phone +49 221 / 120 123
d.kramer@susbauer.de