How would you define the company’s evolution over the past 50 years?
A path based on attention to detail, far from trends and with designs that are a precious legacy for our grandchildren.
In your opinion, what is the most iconic product in the catalog?
I’m not a reflective person at all and it is difficult for me to decide among so many pieces. If I had to choose, I would say the Tria shelf, the Mirac coat rack, the Torres Clavé armchair, the Ona coat rack, the Copenhaguen ashtray, the Nuta stool…
There is an intrinsic quality to Mobles 114: the appreciation and admiration of good workmanship in functional and durable timeless designs from the history of design and architecture.
In your opinion, what is the most iconic product in the catalog?
The ONA coat rack. One of those pieces that any designer would have liked to create.
What was your collaboration with Mobles 114 like?
It was like photographing a lake in early autumn on a windless day. Working with the team brings harmony and peace, and entices me to admire such a lake with them.
“Haste makes waste”. This expression is closer to prudence than impulsiveness, always paired with culture and intelligent design devoid of makeup, with a long-term vision and putting faith on a job well done, without haste.
How would you define the company’s evolution over the past 50 years?
I guess it has been an amusing path with continuous learning based on successes and mistakes, since being a designer and editor, as its founders have been, is a high-risk task.
If Mobles114 is celebrating this anniversary, I believe it is largely because it has been a company with a solid foundation rooted in the culture of design which has succeeded in reissuing historical pieces such as the Torres Clavé armchair. Above all, it has demonstrated the wisdom of creating furniture and accessories for the work environment, formerly called offices, which can also fit in the home environment, now a universal trend.
In your opinion, what is the most iconic product in the furniture catalog?
Possibly the Mirac coat stand, designed by the founders, as it stands for the values of intelligent and timeless design. It is a piece that my in-laws have in the entrance of their house, and that says enough.
How would you define your collaboration with Mobles 114 along these 50 years?
As a solid company that has incessantly maintained its principles of good design, enduring and functional, with a consistent and very successful presence in international markets as well. Your catalog is full of iconic, elegant and welcoming products that surround us at home or in the office. Personally, I am particularly excited about your 50th anniversary celebration, as we are also celebrating 50 years of BcD in 2023.
Why do you think some products become iconic while others do not?
I think it can sometimes be a matter of market factors, but your approach gives your products that exceptional quality of timelessness and an unmistakable ‘stamp’ on your brand.
In your opinion, what is the most iconic product in the furniture catalog?
That’s difficult to say, there are so many! Ona, Pey, Torres Clavé, Tria… Few companies have as many iconic products in their catalog as Mobles 114!
I could start by congratulating you for all these years, but what comes from my heart is gratitude. Thank you for allowing me to share the journey with you, for making each photo shoot fill me with emotion, excitement and happiness, and for allowing me to see the magic that suddenly appears in the details of a chair, in the shadow of a shelf, in a set of stools…
Celebrating you is a source of pride for the marvellous job you have done.
What values would you highlight from Mobles 114?
The values that I would highlight from Mobles114 are visible in each piece: confidence, subtlety and quality.
Confidence: You believe in everyone involved in Mobles114, throughout the entire creation process until it reaches the people who will use your products. It’s a teamwork environment where each element is important and valued.
Subtlety: Your products are devoid of superfluous elements; everything is where it belongs, everything seems simple within complexity. Special attention is paid to details that may go unnoticed but are the foundation of each piece.
Quality: Mobles114 is meticulous, using resistant and durable materials, and with those manufacturing processes that best adapt to each piece. This is why Mobles114 products are timeless and capable of accompanying people throughout their lives.
How would you define the path we have followed over the last 50 years?
Rigorous and flexible. A company that has been in existence for 50 years has had to be flexible, prioritize what is best at each moment, invest correctly, and identify moments that will be turning points in survival, growth and stability.
In your opinion, what is the most iconic product in the furniture catalogue?
For me, there are different iconic products, but the Nuta stool stands out because it synthesizes the values of Mobles114. It manages to be in a space without overshadowing other elements and it is discreet, but undoubtedly defines the space where it is used and gives it character. Its lightness does not detract from its firmness when you sit on it. In addition, it never fails to bring a smile to my face when I see it anywhere.
Mobles 114 is a company characterized by its sobriety and the firmness with which it has always stood between tradition and innovation.
How would you define the path along these 50 years?
Throughout these 50 years, Mobles 114 has built a solid catalog that promotes comfort and quality without ever departing from its principles.
According to you, what is the most iconic product in the furniture catalog?
I think the most iconic product in the catalog is the Torres Clavé armchair. I have enjoyed the Ona coat rack all my life and I intend to purchase the Nuta stool soon.
A special balance between, on the one hand, fidelity to their principles in maintaining an open language with refined and careful proposals in every detail for so many years and, on the other hand, determination in the commitment to all of us.
How would you define the path along these 50 years?
The coherence to maintain the principles of a design that originally stems from our environment, with qualities that give rise to ways of doing that only time grants and that are identified in those subliminal aspects that clearly show the merit of Mobles 114’s genuine work.
According to you, what is the most iconic product in the furniture catalog?
Undoubtedly, the Tria system is the one that best defines and synthesizes the method of its creators, not only because of its idea of a versatile piece of furniture that offers solutions in all areas, but also for the variety of creative solutions in the small constructive details.
Secondly, the Ona coat rack made with Montse Padrós, as a sample of a happy conception of design.
And also the Torres Clavé armchair as a token of a learned and committed tradition in defense of social values and rights.
What is your perception on the evolution of Mobles 114 from its creation to the present?
Very consistent. Both in their own designs and in those of others. Everything that carries the brand Mobles 114 is authentic design; sensible, useful and friendly pieces, without shrillness in shapes or colors.
What are the features that turn a product into an iconic design?
The fact that a product becomes an icon, a classic, does not only depend on a good design, nor on the fact that the company that produces it has promoted it appropriately, nor on the fact that influencers and mass media have widely supported it.
Even if all that certainly helps, it is people as users who really elevate a product to such an iconic status.
A design becomes a classic through the conjunction of thousands of people who, satisfied with the features offered by this design, are loyal to it, use it and make the product transcend the barrier of time and fashions. Thus, the design becomes an icon.
What are your memories from the beginnings of Mobles 114?
Massana, Tremoleda and I started together the adventure of Mobles 114. In those years, starting a business involved a certain risk, but the endeavour was successful thanks to our energy and good mood. I was part of it until 1981.
Massana and Tremoleda were excellent partners, and it was very pleasant to work with them as a team.
How would you define the evolution throughout these 50 years?
Mobles 114 has managed to operate excellently during these first 50 long and difficult years. Since 50 years are always long and difficult, this anniversary is quite an achievement and I hope they can continue for many years to come.
What is the product you would highlight from the collection?
As is obvious, I consider the star product to be the GIRA lamp, which paved the way and has remained the brand’s hallmark. Everything by them has never lowered the bar, quite the contrary.
On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Mobles 114, we have published ‘50 anys d’una editora de Mobles‘, a limited edition book that commemorates the compilation of our trajectory. We wanted to bring together all the products we have manufactured or distributed, both those that are still featured in the current catalog and those that are no longer present.
In addition, we have highlighted the people who have been a fundamental part of our history, the logos made by América Sánchez or Folch Studio, the several different fonts that have been used over the years and also the multiple locations we have had since our inauguration on October 19, 1973 at 114 Enric Granados Street.
From the beginning, Mobles 114 has put on the market a series of furniture and objects with the intention of doing things as well as possible and avoiding discordance. We have given life to pieces that have transcended the simple functionality of furniture, some of which (such as the Tria bookshelf, the Torres Clavé armchair or the Ona coat rack) have become icons that have filled spaces all over the world.
Each and every one of these authors have contributed to the enrichment of our portfolio, as well as the consolidation of our commitment to innovation and sustainability. We have adopted responsible practices to preserve the environment, and such commitment has influenced our design and production processes.
Finally, we look ahead with encouragement through new projects and new collaborators to ensure the continuity of the legacy of the past 50 years.
This book was made possible thanks to Studio Albert Romagosa, who suggested its idea, structure and design. The illustrations are by Luis Mazón. We would also like to thank the Design Museum of Barcelona, collection Mobles 114, for lending us the images that have illustrated this book.
We want to thank everyone who joined us last October 18th at Casa de les Punxes x Cloudworks to celebrate our 50th anniversary. A day full of emotions and reunions. We were delighted to see so many people who have been and still are part of our history. We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did.
In October this year, Mobles 114 celebrates half a century of life and that is why we want to share some of the most significant moments of our journey. Featuring Josep Maria Massana, Josep Maria Tremoleda, Anatxu Zabalbeascoa, Joan Gaspar, Miguel Milá, Antoni Arola, Martín Azúa, Curro Claret and Marc Morro, we have prepared a video that aims to reflect our history and our most emblematic creations. Local collections arising from the avant-garde of design. Products that inspire stories fostering artistic and cultural values.
Born in 1973, Mobles 114 has consistently been part of the world of contemporary furniture thanks to its commitment to improving the quality of collective and home spaces with signature, timeless and careful designs which are inspired by a philosophy that values functionality, durability and aesthetics. In a world in which trends prevail and fashions set the public agenda, Mobles 114 is committed to furniture in which quality and design endure over time.
So don’t miss the video we have prepared, which includes some of our most iconic designs, such as the Tria bookshelf, the Gràcia chair, the Danesa armchair, the Ona and Hulot coat stands, the Torres Clavé armchair, the MMS table, the Tombal umbrella stand or ashtray, the Taiga coat stand, the Catalana armchair, the Luco stool, the Nuta and Tube collections, the Tong ice tongs and the Copenhagen ashtray; timeless pieces that are part of the history of contemporary design and serve as our particular tribute to these 50 years of modernity and tradition.
Ona is the one design by Carles Riart which is actually kept at Mobles 114 catalog. a lineal coat rack made out of wood whose design results from a formal juxtaposition of waves and a sloping plane. Continue reading →
The last big project by mobles114 has been very popular and because of that it has been published on some of the most important magazines and blogs about design and trends. This is the clipping in national and international media:
First design magazine in Spanish and published everyday at the internet focus on luminosity, openness and clarity of the space, where all the elements have an general distribution harmony.
Design, interiors, architecture and trends website published weekly allows the visitor to make a virtual trip to the building which originally was home of plastic producer Alchemika.
Spanish directory of furniture and lighting producers explains the collaboration between company and architects to get the desired atmosphere of the space.
The popular magazine about fashion, beauty, trends, news and trips chooses Caterina Albert library in a summary about libraries where mixture of architecture, design and technology is a success.
International guide about Art, Gastronomy, Hotels, Fashion and Beauty, Design and Nightlife explains industrial past and multifunctional use of the complex. (Fotografia: José Hevia)
