Geiger introduces Brabo™ by Vincent Van Duysen, the Belgian

Geiger introduces Brabo™ by Vincent Van Duysen,
the Belgian architect’s first collaboration
with a North American furniture manufacturer
© 2013 Geiger International, Inc.
Brabo™
Vincent Van Duysen
“Whatever I do, it’s about seduction and surprise!” says architect and designer Vincent
brabo_chair_w_walnut_P
Van Duysen. “I want to design things that stick in your memory.”
When approached to design a new lounge collection, Van Duysen immediately felt the
connection with Geiger’s past: “It was a chance to mix the design dna of Ward Bennett,
a designer I’ve admired for many years, with my own design philosophy, to create
something new and fresh and that continues Geiger’s legacy. The design had to reflect
the brand’s unique attitude.”
The result of the collaboration, his first with a North American manufacturer, is Brabo.
A lounge collection of architectural proportions and delicate material contrasts,
Brabo features a sensitive mixture of metal, wood and leather. Taming such a mixedmedia composition requires a refined aesthetic — and impeccable editing skills. “There
was a lot of fine tuning to arrive at just the right balance of materials, especially in
a design based on exposed structure,” he continues. “Because everything is visible, the
subtlety of the transitions was essential. It had to be beautiful from every angle.”
Brabo features a club chair, settee and sofa, as well as side and coffee tables. All are
available in ash or walnut, in 18 ash finishes and eight walnut finishes, and can be
specified in three metal finishes. Orders will be accepted beginning September 2013.
© 2013 Geiger International, Inc.
Brabo™
Vincent Van Duysen
brabo_chair_w_walnut_3B
According to folklore, Van Duysen’s home city of Antwerp was named from the legend
of a mythical giant who lived near the river Scheldt. He exacted a toll from those
crossing the river; for those who refused, he severed one of their hands and threw it
into the river. Eventually, the giant was slain by a young hero named Brabo, who
cut off the giant’s own hand and flung it into the river. Antwerp was later named from
the Dutch hand werpen, “throwing hand.”
© 2013 Geiger International, Inc.
Brabo™
Vincent Van Duysen
brabo_table_w_walnut_3
© 2013 Geiger International, Inc.
Brabo™
Vincent Van Duysen
brabo_table_w_walnut_P
© 2013 Geiger International, Inc.
Brabo™
Vincent Van Duysen
brabo_chair_w_walnut_B (left)
brabo_chair_w_walnut_F
© 2013 Geiger International, Inc.
Vincent Van Duysen
Vincent Van Duysen
Photography Mark Segal
Vincent Van Duysen was born 1962 in Lokeren, Belgium. He studied architecture at the
Architecture Institute Saint-Lucas in Ghent. After two years in Milan, he returned to
Belgium, establishing his eponymous practice in Antwerp in 1990.
For more than two decades, Van Duysen has created exquisite buildings and residences
with profoundly elemental spaces enriched by material purity. He is inspired by classical
forms as he strives for order and clarity—but never at the expense of warmth or
craftsmanship. Functionality, durability and comfort are hallmarks of his designs, which
are both minimal in their timeless forms yet infused with great humanity and warmth.
Van Duysen’s architectural practice is broad, ranging from private homes, apartments,
shops, restaurants and offices throughout Europe, the Middle East and the United States.
In addition, he is an accomplished designer of furniture and decorative objects for Tribù,
B&B Italia, Poliform and Swarovski, among others. Van Duysen’s work has been featured
in international publications, books (including two monographs) and exhibitions
worldwide. His collaboration with Geiger is his first with a North American company.
© 2013 Geiger International, Inc.
Vincent Van Duysen
Concordia office building
Waregem Belgium
Photography Alberto Piovano
© 2013 Geiger International, Inc.
Vincent Van Duysen
Vincent Van Duysen private residence
Antwerp Belgium
Photography Martyn Thompson
© 2013 Geiger International, Inc.
Vincent Van Duysen
Potter y for When Objects Work
Photography Alberto Piovano
© 2013 Geiger International, Inc.
Geiger International
In 1964, with four craftsmen and a 2,000-square-foot shop, John Geiger built furniture
by hand—while building a culture of quality that flourishes today. His love of and
respect for the materials he worked with, combined with his appetite for perfection, set
new international standards in wood furniture manufacturing. Today, Geiger’s excellent
reputation for design, engineering and craftsmanship continues to enhance business
interiors with an elegant and intelligent portfolio of great design for the modern office.
At Geiger, we define great design as design that shapes the customer’s work in smart and
innovative ways, touching their heart and satisfying their intellect. While acknowledging
the power of inspiration and creativity, we recognize that successful design is based on
understanding and unique insight. Every aesthetic decision serves a functional need, and
each functional choice is expressed with beautiful purpose.
We come by this dedication to great design honestly. Ward Bennett, Geiger’s “godfather
of design,” is known for the sensual minimalism that defined his furniture and interior
designs: spare forms animated by rich materials, including warm woods, textiles, stone
and leather. The effect was comfortable, elegant, luxurious and unmistakably Bennett.
Geiger continues in Ward Bennett’s footsteps, with comfortable furniture brought to life
through simple, clean lines expressed in warm, high-touch materials. Vincent Van
Duysen’s Brabo lounge collection continues this rich tradition with new designs that
are relevant to the places people live and work today.
John Geiger (left) and
Ward Bennett
© 2013 Geiger International, Inc.