Forsi, Melete and Bitsi Awarded for Good Design

December 19, 2022 (Toronto) – The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and the European Center for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies have recognized Keilhauer and its subsidiary company Division Twelve with three 2022 GOOD DESIGN® Awards. Founded in Chicago in 1950 by Eero Saarinen and Charles and Ray Eames, GOOD DESIGN® is the oldest design competition in the world.

Keilhauer’s awards were presented to the Forsi collection, comprised of sophisticated conference chairs and tables built at a unique height; and Melete, a beautiful, adaptable side chair with sculptural design elements. Division Twelve’s award was presented to Bitsi, a stylish side chair with a small footprint and a big personality.

“We are honored that both Keilhauer and Division Twelve are recipients of GOOD DESIGN® Awards this year,” says Mike Keilhauer, President. “This is the eighth consecutive year we have been recognized by this prestigious program, an accomplishment we are exceedingly proud of.”

Launched at NeoCon in Chicago this summer, Forsi is a conference furniture collection that is designed to meet the needs of the modern meeting. Designed by acclaimed Keilhauer collaborators EOOS, Forsi conference chairs and tables feature an innovative working lounge height that exists in a new space between conference room formality and lounge area relaxation.

Designed by Swedish design studio Afteroom, the Melete side chair was also launched at NeoCon 2022. Melete’s clean lines, mid-century modern styling and minimalist design principles make it a standout piece in any room, and it is endlessly customizable to suit any interior design environment.

Launched in January of this year, the Bitsi side chair is the first design collaboration between Division Twelve and Los Angeles-based design studio EARL. Not just designed to be itsy, Bitsi was also created with durability and long-lasting comfort in mind. The chair’s functional, stand-out features make it a furniture product that is both contemporary and classic.

Founded in 1981, Keilhauer is a privately owned, design-focused contract furniture manufacturer. Keilhauer manufactures seating and tables that makes work more comfortable for all. Keilhauer products are thoughtfully made to support communication and engagement in spaces such as meeting rooms, collaboration areas, lobbies and lunchrooms. Working with world-renowned furniture designers, Keilhauer is internationally recognized for award-winning design, built with extreme craftsmanship, to the highest environmental standards. The company is headquartered in Toronto, Ontario. For more information, please visit keilhauer.com.

Division Twelve makes things. Things that make people happy. From tables, to chairs, to stools, our bent metal furniture is built to last. Bent right here in North America, everything we make is the product of durable materials, trend-forward design, and careful craftsmanship. Our incredible selection of colors makes each piece versatile, customizable and ready to help you do you. Division Twelve, a subsidiary of Keilhauer, was founded in 2017 and is headquartered in Toronto, Ontario. For more information, please visit division12.com.

EOOS is Gernot Bohmann, Martin Bergmann, and Harald Gründl, who studied design together at the Academy of Applied Arts in Vienna. In 1990, they started their first collaboration and founded EOOS in 1995. They live in Vienna and work in the fields of product, furniture and architectural design. EOOS is named after one of the four sun horses of Greek mythology and stands for their programmatic approach to the field of design. For more information, please visit eoos.com.

Afteroom is a Stockholm-based design studio. Founded and directed by Hung-Ming Chen and Chen-Yen Wei, their mission is simply to create beautiful products that will add value over time – design to grow old with. The inspiration derives from an intriguing interest in forms, senses, proportions, materials, and cultures. Their philosophy pivots around simplicity and honesty.
Afteroom believes that sophisticated thinking determines the balance between functionality and aesthetics, thereby bringing multilevel value to design. Taking rational creativity as the fundamental mindset, they have been working together with brands and jointly creating thoughtful designs that meet the market demands. For more information, please visit afteroom.com.

EARL is a family-owned-and-operated furniture and housewares company that creates original pieces built with a strong sense of heritage, designed to stand the test of time. Based in Los Angeles, California, designer and furniture builder Chris Earl is dedicated to bringing a sense of timeless beauty and grace to everything he creates. For more information, please visit earl-home.com