Lunch meets automotive technology – Würth’s corporate canteen furnished by Wilkhahn

If the word canteen is uttered, most of us probably think of uncomfortable seating, overly bright lighting and badly presented food. But luckily those aspects have been consigned to the past in many places now. Würth in Künzelsau, Baden-Württemberg, likes good food in a pleasant atmosphere and deliberately doesn’t use the word canteen. The company’s restaurant is an inviting venue to meet up and above all to enjoy good food in a relaxed and communicative atmosphere. And Wilkhahn’s Chassis chairs provide the contemporary seating.

Chassis is a restrained and elegant addition to Würth’s company restaurant.
Photo by Wilkhahn

Würth makes fastening and assembly equipment. At its headquarters, interior designer Niki Szilagyi completely redesigned the restaurant in the building created by mdm Architekten and came up with a modern and appealing atmosphere. The restaurant is based on a market place, where small islands divide up the room and create seamless transitions from one part of the area to another. There’s a traditional counter where food is served out, as well as a show kitchen and a coffee bar. A curved wall, painted in the same red as the company’s logo, also partitions the room and forms a strong highlight in the otherwise unobtrusive colour and material concept. In addition to graphite-black Chassis Wilkhahn chairs, the space also includes flooring made of resin-bonded screed and black granite, benches with light-coloured leather coverings and solid oak tables.

Chassis found its way into the restaurant via an unusual route. Munich-based interior designer Szilagyi discovered the chair, devised by Stefan Diez, in a magazine and immediately liked its stylish look. It couldn’t have been better timed because she promptly included Chassis in the chairs to sample. Once the team had had a closer look at the product, they were all impressed. With its metal frame and membrane-like seat shell, Chassis is perfectly in tune with the overarching design concept that is based on genuine materials. The seat and back frame are made of thin sheet steel and are (similarly to automotive manufacture) deep drawn in one piece and then welded with the chair’s legs. As a result, the manufacturing method is also in keeping with Würth’s innovative approach.

At Würth people also sit on Wilkhahn chairs on the patio. While the Chassis indoor models have dark textile covers, the outdoor models are more robust with a special frame coating and plastic seat shell. About 250 Chassis are positioned in the company restaurant and encourage people to come and linger. And by the way, the Chassis design hasn’t just bowled Würth over – the chair has won a number of international accolades, including the red dot ‘best of the best’ award.

For further information, please visit:  www.wilkhahn.com

• CID: 6730