BIGFOOT™ solid European oak table is a modern design classic characterized by radical simplicity. Designed in 1994 by Philipp Mainzer, architect and founder of e15, it marked the beginning of an approach grounded in clarity, material integrity and craftsmanship. At its core lies a single, decisive gesture: the meeting of tabletop and leg. Resolved with precision, this connection defines the character of the table. Brutal in its clarity, it exposes the raw elements of structure and material rather than concealing them. The tabletop is composed of equal-sized boards, intersected by square legs that reveal the end grain with its annual growth rings – an expression of structure, material, and proportion in their purest form.
Oak is a fundamental material for e15 and resonates with the spirit of the brand at its core. It reflects a commitment to enduring design, material integrity, and refined craftsmanship. Nearly all parts of the tree are utilised in the making of BIGFOOT™, extending into complementary designs such as BACKENZAHN™. Crafted in Germany from solid European oak, the table highlights natural characteristics such as knots, grain, and tonal variation, while surfaces are typically oiled to preserve the material’s inherent character. During the natural seasoning process, characteristic cracks develop in the legs, making each table unique.
“Wood is a basic and historic material with a strong emotional appeal. It remains alive and breathing even when formed into shape. People are drawn to its warmth and honesty. This intuitive connection, together with the authentic character of the table, has made BIGFOOT an enduring piece.” – Philipp Mainzer
London, 1994. While still studying architecture, Philipp Mainzer drafted one of his first tables, BIGFOOT™. One year later, in 1995, e15 was founded and named after the postal code of its first workshop in London’s East End. The design marked the beginning of the e15 collection, introducing a radical use of solid wood and establishing a circular approach as a guiding principle. During this time, Mainzer also sketched the e15 logo, derived from the square silhouette of the BIGFOOT leg, which remains unchanged to this day.
Experimenting with repurposed wood, the first versions of BIGFOOT were made from planks sourced from the walls of old freight wagons. Rich in grain, with cracks and knots, the material carried the history of the tree. The legs were, and continue to be, made from heartwood – at the time considered a waste product and unsuitable for high-grade furniture.
The signature of BIGFOOT™ lies in its construction. The tabletop is composed of equal-sized boards, intersected by square legs that reveal the end grain with its annual growth rings, exposing the centre of the tree. As the wood seasons, characteristic cracks develop, making each table unique, an expression of the material’s nature rather than an imperfection.
Philipp Mainzer
Born in Germany, Philipp Mainzer studied product design at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design and architecture at the Architectural Association in London. In 1995, he co-founded e15. His work has received numerous international awards and is represented in permanent museum collections. Together with Farah Ebrahimi, his partner and art director, he has shaped the progressive and enduring identity of e15. He is the creative and managing director of the brand, as well as founder of PMO, his office for architecture and design.
About e15
e15 is a premium interior brand renowned for its collection of distinct furniture. Based in Frankfurt, Germany the company stands for consistent, progressive design coupled with high-grade materials, refined craftsmanship and sustainable manufacturing. With a strong foundation in architecture and design, the brand is defined by the unique backgrounds of architect and founder Philipp Mainzer together with designer and art director Farah Ebrahimi.
Since 1995, e15 develops original products and supports artistic statements, which reflect the brand’s philosophy and open approach to diverse cultures and disciplines. In addition to reissued design classics by protagonists of Modernism, the collection evolves from close cooperation with a coterie of designers, architects, and artists.
