Humanising Design with Rex Kralj
The work of late mid-century architect and designer Niko Kralj is the foundation of Slovenian furniture brand Rex Kralj, which specialises in functional and elegant contemporary designs.
“Niko Kralj’s celebrated Rex chair inspired us to establish the namesake brand,” explains CEO and founder Žiga Vrhovec. “The word Rex refers to his most well-known design – a wooden folding chair immortalised in MoMA’s permanent collection – coined with Kralj’s last name for instant recognition.”
The Rex chair is an accomplished exercise in combining comfort, style and practicality. The back and seat are made from bent plywood, carved into delicate curves that provide both comfort and lightness.
For 50 years, Rex chairs have been specified in hospitality projects worldwide. Kralj is famed for his chairs and tables conceived for hardwearing contract use, with the elegance and comfort guests crave.
Since the relaunch of the Rex series, the brand has also re-introduced the Shell collection and 4455 chair. This year, Rex Kralj carries on Niko Kralj’s humanistic approach to industrial design with a refreshed brand identity and new indoors and outdoors designs by Tom Fereday and Mikal Harrsen. These collaborations mark a first for the brand, which until now has relied on Niko Kralj’s original sketches and prototypes.
“Our brand is rooted in Niko’s original concepts, and our designs developed to meet present day market demands,” concludes Žiga Vrhovec. “Niko’s vision on design is our compass for developing new products. Our pieces serve people’s needs, in the spirit of Niko’s mission to humanise design.”
