Where does a great partnership begin?

Where manufacturers and specialist dealers become true partners.

MillerKnoll invited us to London. Together with Sara and Sebastian, we spent two days exploring what goes on behind the scenes, discovering new products and, most importantly, talking to one another.

It quickly became clear that this would be much more than a simple manufacturer visit. Not everyone had met in person before, yet meaningful conversations soon developed into an open exchange that continued throughout the entire trip.

Visits like this are incredibly valuable to us and to the quality of our projects. They help us gain a deeper understanding of materials, learn about new developments at an early stage and apply this knowledge to our work. Above all, however, they allow us to experience the culture behind a brand and meet the people who shape it.

Behind the scenes

The following morning, we travelled to Melksham, where we gained an insight into the production processes behind the products we work with every day.

We had the opportunity to visit PortalMill, Herman Miller’s approximately 15,800-square-metre manufacturing facility. Around 200 employees from woodworking, chair assembly, logistics, research and development work together there under one roof.

One of the main focuses was European manufacturing. Several products that are in particularly high demand in Germany are now also produced here. Shorter transport routes provide greater planning certainty and increase flexibility when managing projects.

Just as valuable was the opportunity to meet the people on site. Getting to know colleagues in person, whom we would usually only speak to on the phone or contact by email, creates a completely different level of mutual understanding and makes working together much easier.

During the tour, we also saw the importance placed on material use, durability and ease of maintenance throughout the MillerKnoll collective. Many of these ideas appeared again later as we explored the individual brands.

London in between

Between the production site and the showroom, there was also time to experience London. We travelled back into the city together by train, took in the skyline from The Shard, visited the pub featured in Bridget Jones and later had dinner at Salt Yard Borough.

It was precisely these moments away from the official programme that created space for conversation and transformed a manufacturer visit into a genuinely personal exchange.

Der MillerKnoll Showroom

Maharam

We began with Maharam. The focus was less on individual textile collections and more on how they are created. Collaborations with designers and artists such as Paul Smith and Sarah Morris, as well as the close connection to the design history of Herman Miller and Charles and Ray Eames, demonstrate how closely material development, art and interior design are intertwined.

One example is Luce, a textile made from recycled wool. It combines a natural feel with the responsible use of resources and is now used across a variety of products and brands within the MillerKnoll collective.

Herman Miller

Many of Herman Miller’s products have been part of our work for years. This made it all the more interesting to experience them again from a different perspective.

The new Aeron colours Jasper and Nightfall give the design classic a fresh appearance without changing its distinctive character.

Under UV light, the different support zones within the Aeron’s mesh become visible. This makes it possible to see how precisely its ergonomic properties have been engineered into the material.

We were also impressed by the OE1 Storage Trolley, which provides mobile storage that can be adapted flexibly to different ways of working.

Knoll

At Knoll, we first encountered some of the brand’s best-known classics, including the Barcelona Chair and other designs that continue to shape Knoll’s design history today.

The conference areas then took centre stage. Restrained design, carefully selected materials and a calm visual language define the spaces.

Next, we moved on to the workplace solutions. Reff Profiles stood out to us because the storage is integrated almost invisibly and every detail feels carefully considered. With Dividends Skyline, we also discovered a workplace system that combines openness, privacy and flexibility.

The Morrison Hannah Chair also caught our attention. Originally designed by Andrew Morrison and Bruce Hannah in the 1970s, it has been reinterpreted for today’s working environments. Its soft upholstery gives it an inviting appearance, while it remains a lightweight task chair for meeting areas, coworking zones and flexible workspaces.

New additions also included the Biboni Collection and the Muecke Wood Collection.

Muuto

Next, we visited Muuto. The name is derived from the Finnish word muutos, meaning change. This idea continues to shape the brand today. Rather than reinventing Scandinavian design, Muuto develops it carefully and thoughtfully. Clean lines, honest materials and designs that do not follow short-lived trends can be found throughout the collection.

This approach was clearly visible in the showroom. New products and established classics complemented one another naturally. Many of the designs are created to remain functional for years and to fit into a wide variety of working environments.

We also had the opportunity to take another, more detailed look at several products first presented during 3 Days of Design in Copenhagen. You can find more about them in our separate blog post about our visit to Muuto in Copenhagen.Red the Blogpost here.

NaughtOne

Our final stop was NaughtOne.

The brand develops furniture that can adapt to different working environments and remain in use for many years.

The Lotti Chair by Keiji Takeuchi can be fully disassembled, repaired and maintained. In the Pippin Chair, a bio-based foam replaces conventional polyurethane foam. Pullman also impressed us with its versatility as a modular seating system, whether used as an acoustic workspace or as seating in a canteen or reception area.

The other products follow the same principle. They are designed to be used flexibly, repaired when necessary and kept in use over the long term.

Thank you for two inspiring days

Our two days in London demonstrated that there is much more behind a great product than its appearance. Development, manufacturing and material expertise are just as important as the personal exchange between manufacturers and specialist dealers.

Ultimately, our clients benefit from these insights. They help us assess materials more effectively, identify developments at an early stage and provide well-informed guidance throughout our projects.

A big thank you to Sarah, Sebastian and the entire MillerKnoll team for the invitation, the open conversations and the time we spent together.

We look forward to seeing everyone again and to many more projects together.

You can find more impressions and detailed information about all the products on our Instagram channel.

Best wishes,
Giulia