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.
An in-house architectural team enhances e15’s services available to architects and commercial clients, enabling the brand to better cater to a variety of projects with differing complexity.
History
Named after the postal code of its first workshop in London, e15 was founded in 1995. From the initial set of tables designed in London’s east end, a radical and new simplicity marked the debut of the collection and established an enduring legacy for the brand along with an indelible mark in the history of contemporary furniture design.
With essential forms highlighting natural characteristics visible in design classics such as table BIGFOOT™ (1994) and stool BACKENZAHN™ (1996), e15 has established a leading reputation for the pioneering use of solid wood in its purest form, whilst embodying original design and sustainable production.
Today e15 is recognised for its exceptional collection of works by renowned architects and designers, who share the consistent philosophy and creative viewpoint of e15’s founder Philipp Mainzer and his partner Farah Ebrahimi. In addition to collaborations with David Chipperfield, Stefan Diez, David Thulstrup and others, e15 reissues significant designs by Ferdinand Kramer and Richard Herre, both architects and protagonists of Modernism from the 1920s in Germany. Over the years the company and many of its designers have been recognised with numerous design awards, as well as selected pieces being part of permanent museum collections around the world.
A family-owned company, e15 is now based in Frankfurt with its headquarters conveniently close to the specialised workshops and suppliers in Europe, primarily in Germany. Together with an skilled and dedicated team, e15 produces a premium collection of products and caters to a global home and contract market through a worldwide retailer network with over 600 partners on 5 continents with core markets in Europe, North America and Australia.
Sustainability
Socially conscious corporate management, durable quality and sustainable material sourcing are an integral part of the e15 brand. Since many years the company works with a trusted network of regional craftsmen and suppliers to ensure the consistent high quality of its products. e15 uses certified materials and finishes to protect the environment and the health of the user. Our solid wood originates from sustainable sources primarily from Germany. Regional production reduces the transportation footprint to a minimum.
Mono-materialism supports a circular economy in the ways of making and recycling products. Responsibly sourced materials with singular compositions are not only a sensible way to produce furniture, but also an aesthetic choice for e15. By and large, the most balanced contribution to the environment can be the small-scale production of quality products together with an enduring design philosophy, which can be passed down through generations.
Materials
Oak is a fundamental material for e15 and resonates with the spirit of the brand at its core. In addition to a range of premium solid woods crafted in various tones and finishes, the e15 collection extends with a selection of authentic materials such as marble, metal, glass, leather and textiles, all handled with e15’s distinct view on colour and interior compositions. For the label E15 SELECTED, e15 produces limited runs of artisanal pieces that highlight unique materials and refined craftsmanship.
Surface finishes are kept as natural as possible to highlight the inherent beauty and character of each material. Most of e15’s wood finishes are only oiled, this is to preserve the natural character of the product, to protect the environment from additional substances and to support a circular economy.
Authenticity
To verify authenticity beyond the visual quality of material, construction and proportion, all e15 products are labelled or branded with the e15 logo as well as an individual serial number, which can be tracked for proof of origin. A document of authenticity is enclosed with delivered products, certifying the product name and the serial number.