Our visit to Orel in České Budějovice was filled with entertaining conversations amidst harmonizing colors and high-quality materials. Just the way we like it. Cyril Kratochvíl, the mayor of the union, gave us a tour of the entire building, where the interior is significantly influenced by Fleysen furniture.
In the office, there is a red sideboard #1311 and a red hanger #1510.
"I love old architecture, so I really liked that you were in that old factory."
There were several reasons why Cyril chose our furniture. He has a passion for architecture and history, so he was intrigued by the story of our factory, he was looking for a different material than wood for the interior, and last but not least, he was specifically attracted to our signature round perforation – the round shape is repeated in many places in Orel's spaces.
How did you find out about us?
I have always been interested in design, so I first noticed the award you received at Designblok (nominated for Best Furniture Collection at Designblok 2021, editor’s note). I read about you somewhere on the internet, and since I also love old architecture, I liked that you were in that old factory. Then it took about a year or two before we started renovating this office, so I remembered you.
Cyril Kratochvíl also purchased several cabinets #2015 and #2016.
In that case, you are our ideal customer! Was the story of our traditional factory in Plesná crucial for you?
Exactly, but if I wasn’t impressed by the final products, the story wouldn’t be enough. But I like your furniture, and even though I come from a family of carpenters (my father owns a carpentry company, and I originally trained as a carpenter too), I was looking for a different material than wood.
So you weren't afraid of the metal material?
No, we already have tables made of rusty sheet metal here for a long time, and I see that metal withstands rough handling better than wood. So I had no worries, rather I was very excited to see how it would look.
How does your furniture fit into Orel's interior?
It fits in by being completely different. We needed a different material and new colors to complement the wooden floor. And the perforation with circles fits well here too. Holes of the same shape are directly on the climbing walls and we deliberately repeat them elsewhere, such as on the heating. My mother is an artist and she immediately brought us a painting with a similar motif, so it all gradually comes together.
Above the table is a fully utilized large pegboard #1733 in black.
What do you think of when you hear the name Fleysen?
I see that beautiful gray factory that caught my attention and your first light blue cabinet, through which I got to know you.
Orel is a physical education unit that operates throughout the Czech Republic. The České Budějovice branch is one of the largest – about 300 children a week attend the climbing wall and other clubs here. The main task of Orel, according to its mayor Cyril Kratochvíl, is "to teach children and adolescents that people should treat each other nicely and with respect."
