Furniture Design Julijan Krapež

Masterful integration of traditional values into universal products

We live in a world where all information is just a mouse click away. The vast global exchange of everything has grown so much in recent decades that it is unparalleled by anything in history. The mobility of symbols, objects, cultural goods and people is growing exponentially. Globalisation has reached every aspect of society, not only in terms of its economic or material dimension, but also in the cultural and spiritual spheres.

In an environment of endless consumption, the universalisation of lifestyle is emerging and many designers are wondering whether there is anything left to create, as everything already exists and is available at the touch of a button. And how to create your own market niche in this oversaturated global market? Should one follow global trends or maintain local uniqueness?

The architect and designer Julijan Krapež has the answers to these complex questions. He has come to the conclusion that the processes of globalisation reinforce individuality and diversity. Roland Robertson, one of the pioneers of cultural globalisation research, has pointed out that the notion of globalisation cannot be of much help if we cannot see that it also triggers processes of localisation (“glocalisation”), which in turn create important reverse effects on globalisation.

Julijan Krapež realised during his studies at the Faculty of Architecture in Ljubljana under the mentorship of Professor Janez Suhadolc that the “Plečnik School” encompasses meaningful elements for all times. Postgraduate studies at the Faculty of Architecture in Venice, on the other hand, gave him a broader view of other national cultures. His technical knowledge of furniture design, especially kitchen programmes, was acquired through his long-standing collaboration with the Lipa Furniture Factory in Ajdovščina. He has created more than 30 different kitchen designs for the furniture industry, for which he has received awards in Slovenia and abroad. When this company, like many others in our furniture industry and beyond, went bankrupt, Krapež embarked on his own creative path. Since 2010, he has been working with Pohištvo Potočnik from Škofja Loka, with whom he has jointly developed several award-winning kitchen programmes. As Krapež puts it: “In serial production, where kitchens are very similar and universal, there was no room for much experimentation. A kitchen for an individual client, on the other hand, allows for personalisation, more options for the client and more creativity for the author.”

---

To read the whole article, please order the copy of the magazine HERE.