Johannes Torpe Studios is the studio of planning and design founded by two Danish brothers, Johannes and Rune RK, an extravagant mix of design and music, soaked with a bit of madness. Furniture and furnishings, industrial design, but also fashion stores, high-level restaurants and clubs: this is what we do. Between a work travel and another, we met Johannes that told us a few things…
Design, industrial design, interior design… What does this mean to you? When did these words become part of your life? In what way?
Design encloses many things together, it is pure creativity. It is the point in which many things meet and find a meaning, and this is the most appealing notion. If you look at a floor, a vase, or furnishing accessories, at the end all seems to be a single object. However, the most exciting thing is when you add creativity and through this, the objects make sense. Which was my first design experience? Which was the first time that I entered in this world? When I was a child my mother used to paint and it often happened that I had paintbrushes varnish on my hands. Hence, naturally and spontaneously, I began to paint, to invent and draw things. The second creative thing I did was to play the violin. Now there are two things that still accompany me in life: design and play music. In the moment in which I receive the work for a restaurant or I have an idea for a chair design, I use exactly the same approach I used with music or painting. And all this is each time a different experience, is an exciting job that grows and completes itself creatively while I live it, while I add something personal.
Planner, designer or inventor? How do you like to describe yourself?
I believe to be a “facilitator” of dreams, a tool through witch desires are filtrated and realized. Surely, I am a good designer but what I am most capable of doing is to meet other people, find the talent in them and obtain the best out of them. When I hire someone in my studio is always an act of faith: it is about trusting other people creativity and shares the dreams to create something together, something great, original and unique. From this point of view sharing all these dreams and wanting to translate into reality extraordinary things makes me think of our strength. The energy of my group of designers is actually that of being a real dream ‘factory’. The connection of various energies, ideas and thoughts inside a single mind, to make people dreams real and feasible.
Where do you start from, what do you do when you have to design a new space, an object or a furniture?
My starting point is always people, their ideas, everything revolves around people. If I do not like the people I work with, the people that give me the project or ask me to build something, and they cannot communicate to me the worthiness they want the object to have, then it will be very difficult for me to create something of a great value. To me creativity is feeling, relation, enthusiasm, positive energy, and emotion. It means to believe in individuals you relate to, and believe in what they communicate to you. This is the starting point from which inspiration arises, only this way it is possible to create together stunning works.
Do you always work together with your brother on projects?
It depends on how big is the company or the project given to us. Our design studio expands increasingly every day, more and more professionals work with us. We have various headquarters around the world: one in Copenhagen, one in Milan, one in New York. Now we are going to open also in Beijing and Hong Kong… To my brother and me the most important thing is to continue to do music and design, be concentrated on what we do. My brother very often produces music on his own, and when I can I listen to it, I record… everywhere we are we do not lose sight of our work, both in terms of music, planning and design.
What about the music? How does it influence your imagination? Your life?
The concept is easy: To me, without music there is no design and without design there is no music. There is a direct connection between them. In addition, the challenge with what I do and what I am is my ability to balance them.
Tell me an object of the past which represents a true design icon for you…
Actually, there are many objects, not only one. If I really have to choose, I mention the Finnish designer Eero Aarnio and his famous fibreglass works. Also if born in the far 1932, his creations are still incredibly contemporary, as for example the famous “Bubble Chair” or “Mushroom” table. This last one, very beautiful and essential on its shapes, is very rare to find. I have one in my apartment in Copenhagen, maybe also for this reason I like it a lot!”
