In Conversation With
Studio Œ

Studio Πis a collaborative design studio founded by Lisa Ertel and Anne-Sophie Oberkrome, with a shared vision of creating meaningful, functional designs.

Their work is material-driven and explores the intersection of culture, nature, and technology. This includes the OTO and DOPO collections for Mattiazzi, which we are thrilled to represent at Simon James. These collections showcase the studio's commitment to craftsmanship and innovative design, emphasising the tactile beauty of wood and its connection to users.

We’re pleased to share our conversation with Lisa and Anne-Sophie, where they discuss the origins of their partnership and the values that drive Studio Œ.

What does Studio Πmean to you and what does it represent?

In the ligature Œ, the initials of our last names merge and create something new, quite precisely embodying what Studio Œ means to us: our collaboration. 

It is a space we have created to join forces and dedicate ourselves to projects; whether self-initiated, commissioned, or within an academic context.

Tell us about your background as designers and how you came to work together at Studio Œ? 

We first crossed paths during our Product Design studies in Karlsruhe, in southern Germany. From the very beginning, we found a strong synergy in working together. 

From our first semester, we collaborated on projects, and this dynamic evolved throughout our university years. By the time we completed our studies, we had already transitioned from academic work to commissioned projects.

Founding Studio Πwas a natural progression - giving our collaboration a name simply acknowledged the momentum we had built.

What does your collaboration process look like?

With each new project, the parameters shift, requiring us to approach new topics with curiosity and an open mind. For us, this involves not only research but also hands-on exploration of the materials we intend to work with, as well as engaging with social contexts relevant to the project. 

Our process is dynamic and collaborative- like a game of beach volleyball, where we continuously pass ideas back and forth, refining and shaping them until we bring them over the net together.

Images by Peter Wolff

How did you come to work on the OTO and DOPO collections for Mattiazzi, and what inspired these designs? 

For both projects with Mattiazzi, we focused on the inherent properties of wood, seeking to make the material's qualities not just visible but to emphasise its tactile nature, engaging the user’s sense of touch.

OTO and DOPO challenge conventional norms in their own distinct way. The fourth leg of the Dopo stool extends beyond the seat, reaching the height of a walking stick. This unusual feature allows the user to lean on it, hang a bag, or easily pull the stool closer. We conducted field research in Berlin bars, observing how people interacted with different stools. This hands-on exploration informed the ergonomics and functionality of our design.

The OTO collection, draws inspiration from architectural elements like stairs and window ledges. Its slender form allows it to nestle against other furniture or walls, providing additional seating and storage in a seamless way. We experimented with raw beams and planks, playing with dimensions and arrangements as though constructing with building blocks. This practical experimentation allowed us to refine the form and explore the object’s potential. These foundational steps lead to a fully developed concept, enabling productive dialogue with our collaborators. 

Making of the OTO Collection

Tell us about your studio space?

Our studio space is located in Berlin’s Kreuzberg neighborhood. The space was originally a car repair shop, which we have been sharing with ten other self-employed friends since 2022. We bring together a wide range of creative disciplines, including communication design, stenography, photography, and journalism - a diverse mix that allows us to form project-based teams as needed.

We’re fortunate to have enough space for a workshop, storage, and a photo studio - a luxury that enables us to work on projects holistically and in a hands-on way, all under one roof.

What inspires your work? 

Our work is inspired by the unique spirit of a place, navigating the intersection between the analogue and digital, and between culture and nature. Each project brings its own distinct influence - some are shaped by a specific material, while others draw from the history and identity of the company we collaborate with. 

We incorporate material-specific processes that not only highlight but also challenge the intrinsic qualities of each material. At the heart of our creative process is the belief that design should tell stories; not just about the objects themselves, but also about the environments they inhabit and the interactions they foster. By observing our immediate surroundings, everyday objects, architecture, and phenomena, we translate the unnoticed or mundane into functional, meaningful designs. This associative way of seeing the world helps us reveal hidden gestures, materials, and techniques, making them both visible and tangible.

Collaboration plays a crucial role in our approach. Working with companies allows us to learn from their expertise, production methods, and craftsmanship, broadening our perspective. Within collective groups, we experiment with new methodologies, explore self-defined themes, and shape the pace of our projects. Teaching, in turn, encourages a more experimental and reflective mindset, pushing boundaries in how we think and create.

Studio Πfor Mattiazzi
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