Kampenwand – A Story of True Authenticity

For Greg, the Kampenwand brilliantly captures the authenticity of what NHM is all about. It’s why he so enjoys this particular product, on show at his new premises at 15C Williamson Ave in Auckland.

It is the essence of simplicity, he says, utilitarian yet playful, fashioned from just two planks, two steel legs and a length of climbing rope that is threaded through slots and knotted to tension it securely together.

In its marketing, NHM asserts: “Anyone can conquer this summit. The Kampenwand remains rock steady, when properly fixed and secured.” Like other products from the NHM stable, the Kampenwand table and benches work on the idea that people don’t stay in the same place all their lives. So they are highly modular and easily dismantled. “You don’t need a truck to ship them. The pieces can be taken apart and moved elsewhere by car then quickly reassembled without the need for tools.”

While the product is cleverly designed, Kiwis especially can relate to its provenance.

Kampenwand is the name of the mountain in the Bavarian alps that overlooks the castle where NHM operates their business from original stables they restored.

“The story behind Kampenwand relates to our own Maoritanga where people and things are named after the place or the mountain, paying respect to where they come from,” says Greg.

“In Aschau, the mountain is an important part of village life. It creates a beautiful aspect and hosts a small ski lift for winter activity. It is also popular for summer hiking. As I have skied on it while visiting NHM, I have an affiliation with it and remember well the beautiful view from the summit. It’s one of the reasons why I really love this table.

“I have a connection to the place where it was made and those who made it, which makes it more special.”

Greg admires the brand NHM for its light, clean aesthetic and choice of materials. He also has great respect for the owner and managing director, Nils Holger Moormann. Having dealt with Nils for around 20 years, Greg has become his friend.

“I like how he thinks and what he does. At NHM, they are inventive and don’t follow conventional thought processes. They produce clever solutions for everyday living, like the shelving systems for which they are renowned.”

NHM is a large company that employs many great designers. But this particular product was personally designed by Nils which makes it even more special for Greg.

Greg admires the way NHM uses local craftsman with specialist knowledge who employ traditional techniques as well as those with modern manufacturing technology to make their products. He says this has helped support many businesses in the local area to become successful.

He explains, they also keep their ecological footprint small by using local materials. “The timber in the Kampenwand is European fir, like our pine but the trees grow very slowly in the alps and unlike New Zealand pine, it is dense.”

In every way, the Kampenwand is a product that has claimed Greg’s heart.

Katalog has a good range of NHM furniture in the new showroom. Greg says he represents the high quality brands he has espoused since he established the business 25 years ago.

“Katalog continues to represent really clever, quality furniture, lighting and hardware products.

“We select some exclusive ranges from top brands that I think the market needs. Katalog’s collection evolves in response to design developments and our clients’ requirements.”

Browse Katalog’s product pages or visit the showroom to learn more.