OBUMEX

Forty years on, Obumex occupies a unique place in designer circles. They are among the handful of European interior designers and manufacturers that are not linked to a trademark. Thanks to this, they are able to be continuously on the lookout for the best technical and aesthetic solutions, the most innovating concepts, etc. "By never relying on routine and starting from scratch for every kitchen, we stay alert", says their managing director, Geert Ostyn.

In 1996, they shed their haute couture image with their stand at Interieur, where they presented their first mass-produced kitchen, designed by the British architect JOHN PAWSON. This kitchen is currently sold in several European countries and in the USA.

Obumex also designs and furnishes complete interiors, using objects and fittings by B&B Italia, Cassina, Maarten Van Severen, Christian Liagre and other trademarks. In addition, the company specialises in fitting out medical practices, pharmacies, schools, and offices with the collections of Vitra, Fantoni en Tecno.

Obumex has its own team of designers, but also often collaborates with external designers such as Marc Corbiau, Jean De Meulder, Claire Bataille & Paul Ibens, and many others.

At Interieur 1998, Obumex presented two new lines, affirming its close collaboration with many renowned designers: CORPUS, a new kitchen line aimed at young buyers, and WASH, a series of washstands.

CORPUS 1 was designed by a student, who also designed an extendable cooking unit for the company, which will be presented in 2000. CORPUS 2, developed by Obumex and Luc Vincent, is a range of autonomous, self-contained kitchen

modules. They can be added to as the need arises and are easy to move. Thanks to the flexibility and compactness of the elements, this range is also less expensive, which allows Obumex to address a young and dynamic target group.

The washstands in the WASH collection have been stripped down to their bare essentials. They combine plain lines with new materials, because Obumex's aim was not only to offer functional washstands, but also to enhance the comforting and pleasing effect of water. The Antwerp designer Suzon Ingber designed WASH 1, a polyester concrete. This unit has a very clean line and has a slanting surface from which the water runs off like a mini waterfall.

WASH 2 is a concept of Vincent Van Duysen and is available in 2 versions: Clean and Clean Junior. WASH 2 Clean is a wooden stand containing a washbasin in stainless steel and a lateral drawer. The Junior version is a lamniate stand with a polyester washbasin in the same colour and storage space underneath. The tap is fixed on to the bottom of the washbasin itself, which makes for a highly unusual effect. 

In the Millennium Year, Obumex will celebrate its 40th birthday. The company plans to represent the dynamism of Flemish design at a number of international fairs. For Interieur 2000, new designs will be added to the WASH collection, created by prominent designers such as Maarten Van Severen, Paul Smith and John Pawson. On the same occasion, the company will present a kitchen by Bataille & Ibens. And to mark its 40th birthday, Obumex wants to give as yet unknown Flemish talents a chance to have their own WASH produced, as well as organise a number of special activities.