Text:  Hedvig Hedqvist

Staffan Holm design studio is based in Gothenburg, Sweden. The studio is working with interior architecture, industrial design and furniture design. 

Fascinated by inventions and craftsmanship at a young age, Staffan Holm later trained as a fine cabinet maker and gained his journeymans letter. He then continued to work as a carpenter for nearly four years and founded the Staffan Holm design studio 2008 after graduating School of Design and Crafts (HDK) in Gothenburg, Sweden.

In her presentation of Staffan Holm, Bruno Mathsson foundation board member Hedvig Hedqvist writes:
The stackable stool Spin is three-legged and has a famous predecessor but at the same time a totally unique radiance. The secret is in the leg construction. A structure that reveals that the author against all odds endeavoured a solution, which already on the drawing board seemed impossible. There are many unwritten rules about what can be done with wood. And laminating and bending veneer in two directions can be perceived as wasteful. The point of the stools wood technology construction, except   

STAFFAN HOLM

B. 1977 August 1 Lidköping, Sweden

HIGHER EDUCATION

Master of of Fine Arts (MFA), design.

School of Design and Crafts,University of Gothenburg,Gothenburg,

Sweden. (2006-2008).

Bacheror of Fine Arts (BFA), design.

School of Design and Crafts,University of Gothenburg,Gothenburg,

Sweden. (2003-2006)

AWARDS

DESIGNER OF THE YEAR AWARD Residence Magazine (2019)

WALLPAPER AWARD Wallpaper (UK) magazine, Kumiko Cabinets (2018) 

WALLPAPER AWARD -Best ribs and ripples. Wallpaper (UK) magazine, Reeded tables (2017) 

Winner of the Swedish EDIDA CHAIR OF THE YEAR AWARD. ELLE magazine, Udon chair (2017)

Winner of the Swedish EDIDA CHAIR OF THE YEAR AWARD. ELLE magazine, Grace chair (2014)

Nominated for the Golden Chair Award, The Swedish Architects Association, Grace chair (2013)

BRUNO MATHSSON AWARD 2013

Nominated for Svensk Forms national design award Design S, Spin stool (2012)

Nominated for the Golden Chair Award, The Swedish Architects Association, Spin stool (2011)

Winner of the Furniture of the Year Award. Sköna hem magazine, Spin stool (2011)

Winner of the Swedish EDIDA furniture of the year award. ELLE magazine, Newton sofa table (2010)

Winner of The Nordic Design Prize, Newton sofa table (2009)


SCHOLARSHIPS

Swedish Arts Grants Committee 10 year grant (2021)

The ”Region Västra Götaland” work grant (2019)

Swedish Arts Grants Committee 2 year grant (2015)

The ”Region Västra Götaland” culture grant (2011)

The Lerum culture grant (2011)

Slöjdföreningen grant (2011)

Swedish Arts Grants Committee  1 year grant (2010)

Swedish Arts Grants Committee grant (2010)

The Lerum culture grant (2010)

The Nordic Design prize grant (2009)

Adlerbertska foundation grant (2008)

Adlerbertska foundation grant (2007)

Willinska foundation grant (2006)


EXHIBITIONS

Vandalorum, Presens, solo exhibition (2018-2019)

Designgalleriet, Anamorph objects solo exhibition (2016)

Artipelag, One two tree exhibition, Milk stool (2013)

Salone Internazionale del Mobile, Salone Satellite , Guest of Honour (2012)

The Röhsska Museum, Gothenburg -Milano Collection (2011)

Swedish Love Stories, Superstudio Temporary museum for new design, Milan (2011)

Salone Internazionale del Mobile, Salone Satellite , 2011 Milano Collection (2011)

The Röhsska Museum, Gothenburg -Milano Collection (2010)

Salone Internazionale del Mobile, Salone Satellite , 2010 Milano Collection (2010)

Ung7, world traveling exhibition, Precious (2009)

”Talent” Designhuis, Eindhoven , Precious (2008)

The Röhsska Museum, Gothenburg, CEO (2008)

Brand Design Center, Gothenburg, CEO (2007)

Stockholm Furniture Fair, Greenhouse, CEO (2007)


REPRESENTATIONS

Victoria & Albert museum of art and design, Spin stool (2015)

The Röhsska Museum, Gothenburg, Newton (2011)

The Röhsska Museum, Gothenburg, Precious (2011)

The Röhsska Museum, Gothenburg, CEO (2009)


RELEVANT WORK EXPERIENCE

Staffan Holm Design, CEO/Chief designer (2006-)

Ullman Human Design Group, Prototype maker, Designer (2002-2003)

Lerums Snickerifabrik AB, Cabinet maker (1998-2001)


 

that it is elegant, is that it hardly invites copying. Joiner’s art and the love of wood have been present as long Staffan Holm can remember. And the carpenter’s bench has been close to him since childhood. There were also role models. Grandpa was a carpenter, skilled at carving figures. Grandma encouraged early on carpentry grandson, gave him a lathe so that he could soon start experimenting at home in the basement. The dream was to become a cabinetmaker. Staffans journeyman’s work is a cupboard in cherry wood with finger-jointed drawers and intarsia inlays. Still the idea of becoming a furniture designer didn’t occur to him yet. Rather, it was something meditative in the slow woodworking process and the tactile experience of wood that attracted. Eventually however, the realization that one could become a designer started to pull. After the third request, he was admitted at HDK, Gothenburg and ended up in a world where especially the dialogue with all involved peers came to give unexpected impulses, broadened interest in design and the ideas of sustainable development. As it is not enough just with shapes controlled by practical function.
It’s always important to talk about the feeling. It must be included in any project, explains Staffan Holm.