Kavir Wool Rug

Philipp Mainzer, born in Germany, studied product design at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design and architecture at the Architectural Association in London. In 1995, he co-founded e15, a modern furniture brand renowned for its progressive philosophy and timeless designs. Many of his creations have become iconic, earning international awards and inclusion in permanent museum exhibitions. Alongside his work with e15, Mainzer practiced architecture in New York before returning to Germany in 2001, where he continues to contribute to the field. A member of the executive committee of the German Design Council, Mainzer frequently lectures on architecture, design, and branding.

Farah Ebrahimi is the Art Director of e15 furniture and a leading voice at Philipp Mainzer Office for Architecture and Design. Born in Iran and educated at Otis/Parsons School of Art and Design in Los Angeles. At e15, she has since guided the company’s collections with a vision that bridges cultural nuance and modern clarity. Her designs, including the award-winning Shiraz and Kerman sofas, reflect her belief in furniture as adaptable, enduring architecture for daily life. Her work with e15 embodies a conviction that furniture should be both uncompromisingly modern and deeply humane: objects designed not only to be admired but to be lived with for generations.

Ebrahimi has also played an essential role in shaping e15’s most recognizable icon, the Backenzahn stool. Carved from solid oak or walnut with four distinctively milled legs, the piece has become a design classic—sculptural yet practical, equally at home as a seat or side table. Its enduring presence in contemporary interiors exemplifies the balance of precision and warmth that defines e15. In 2017, Ebrahimi and Philipp Mainzer received the Design Award of the Federal Republic of Germany and Interior Innovation – Gold, affirming their influence on European design. An honorary member of the Deutscher Designer Club (DDC), she continues to serve on its advisory board.