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ABOUT 13&9 DESIGN

In 2013, Dr. Anastasija Lesjak and architect Martin Lesjak (INNOCAD architecture) founded the product design studio 13&9 Design in Graz, Austria. The team has developed numerous collections from concept to production together with specialized partners in a variety of spaces, including furniture design, lighting, acoustics, textile design, accessories, exhibitions, and sound design. This creative community is both a design studio for international companies such as XAL Group, Mohawk Group, Momentum Textiles & Wallcovering, Wever & Ducré, BuzziSpace, and FACT Design, and its own label. The transdisciplinary approach extends across all concepts and development processes and includes various external partnerships, cooperations with manufacturers, and regional production to support an environmentally responsible business model. In collaboration with scientists (e.g., ScienceDesignLab / Prof. Dr. Richard Taylor, University of Oregon and Fractals Research) and different creative disciplines, the team holistically develops products with multiple uses that combine form, function, and individual and social added value in one identity – the soul of 13&9. The label’s innovative projects and products have received awards worldwide and have been published in the international press in the fields of architecture, design, and research.

THE SOUL OF DESIGN

Through a connected infrastructure and collaborative working philosophy, INNOCAD architecture and 13&9 Design manage numerous architectural, interior and product design projects. Driven by their holistic approach, the teams, homebase at the Golden Nugget in Graz, started to develop a medium through which different characters, talents, and expertise merge into a single organism-like structure – embarking on a creative process from concept phase to fulfillment. The value of this working philosophy stimulates professional and personal development, rather than ideas and thoughts remaining bound to one discipline. Workshops with artists, media designers, strategists, and scientists transcend the boundaries of architecture and design practices, contributing to a multi-layered think tank and skilled hub guided by a unified goal. Uniting architecture, interior design, product design, fashion and sound design, INNOCAD and 13&9 have exhibited their diverse works in New York and Chicago (USA), Shenzhen (China), Taipei (Taiwan), London (United Kingdom), Milan and Venice (Italy), Berlin and Cologne (Germany), Zurich (Switzerland) and Graz (Austria).

“Our aim is to strengthen the bond that exists between the product and the individual; further, we seek to transmit the label’s creative energy in each product, which we hope, provides a window into 13&9 Design’s core values as a group and what we stand for individually and collectively” says Martin Lesjak, Co-Founder. Thanks to a wide range of influences, the overall results are unique designs that combine functional necessities and innovations with conceptual aesthetics which also offer an emotional component, adding to the product value, “the soul” of 13&9 Design.

ANASTASIJA LESJAK

Anastasija Lesjak is CEO and Creative Director of 13&9 Design, a transdisciplinary product design firm in Graz (AT) that develops projects across multiple categories such as furniture, lighting, acoustics, textiles, accessories, as well as exhibition and sound design. Her diverse background, with a doctor degree at Medical University of Graz and product design expertise, she bridges the gap between science and use in practice as well as enhances her team’s cross-disciplinary process. In addition to her role as Creative Director of 13&9, she also consults for INNOCAD architecture in creative strategy and concept. Lesjak is a frequent speaker at diverse universities and international events and was awarded with the title “Product Designer of the Year 2019” by Interior Design Magazine (US).

MARTIN LESJAK

Martin Lesjak is the CEO and Design Director of INNOCAD architecture and Co-Founder of 13&9 Design. With a close-knit, connected infrastructure and a highly collaborative working philosophy, INNOCAD manages numerous architecture and interiors projects including residential, office, hospitality, healthcare, mixed-use, retail and interior design. His foresight and expertise in architecture, design, and craft – as well as an affinity for art – leads his awardwinning firms in innovative directions. He is a frequent lecturer and speaker at several universities and worldwide events, and also received one of the architecture and design community’s top honors, “Designer of the Year 2015” by Contract Magazine (USA), followed by “Architect of the Year 2016” by magazine BUILD (UK).