World premiere at Designblok 2018: Rony Plesl designed unique glass switches for the switch manufacturer Hager

At this year's jubilee 20th edition of the Designblok fair, the latest addition to the Hager Manufaktura custom production program was presented to the public for the first time - a series of glass switches that unmistakably bears the signature of designer Rony Plesl. These original pieces, created in collaboration with the BOMMA brand, were exhibited at the booth of the MONOBRAND companies. The lifestyle shop and e-commerce platform MONOBRAND, which combines and imports fresh and youthful brands in the field of interior design into the Czech Republic, will be the exclusive distributor of these original switches in the Czech Republic.

The Hager Manufaktura production program focuses on addressing the individual requirements of architects and designers for the appearance and form of switches. These original switches are always based on standard series of Berker switches, but they push towards a highly individualized appearance. All production is custom-made, allowing for nearly any customer request related to unconventional materials, colors, or non-standard surface finishes of the frames. Within the Hager Manufaktura program, it is possible to have switches made from almost anything: from acrylic in any color, mirror glass, copper, chrome, or even precious metals, including 24-karat gold. Frames can be covered in, for example, Scottish tartan, leather, or denim, which is a common requirement for showrooms and sample stores of denim manufacturers. You can choose an extraordinary surface finish for the switches - for instance, achieving a velvet matte look for plastic switches or emphasizing the texture of the surface, you can have them painted in any RAL color, achieve a patina look, or cover the switches with Swarovski crystals. The imagination knows no bounds. The only thing that matters is the preferences or taste of the architect and the customer.

A joint project by the Czech branch of Hager, the founder of the design shop MONOBRAND Ms. Katrin Grund, and artist Rony Plesl is now the first original series of switches originating from the Czech Republic, which the German-French company Hager, operating in more than 120 countries worldwide, will offer globally within its custom program Manufaktura. The individualized switches are based on the standard series Berker R.3 and Berker R.classic; however, they stand out at first glance with the fragile and striking beauty of glass, a typical material associated not only with the name of Rony Plesl but especially with the long-standing glassmaking tradition of the Czech lands. Thus, these glass switches become another Czech footprint in the world of design and glass work.

RONY PLESL

He graduated from the AAAD (Academy of Art, Architecture and Design) in Prague, completed an internship at La Villa Arson in Nice, France, and subsequently an internship at Tittot in Taipei, Taiwan. Later, he worked as a high school educator at art schools in Jablonec nad Nisou and Železný Brod, and also as a designer in several glassworks in the Czech Republic and abroad.
In 2002, he founded his own company, focusing on plastic works, drawing, and architecture with an emphasis on glass objects and interior design. He teaches at the AAAD in Prague, and in 2017 he was appointed professor in the field of Architecture and Design. For projects for Moser and Lasvit, he received the award for Best Designer of the Year 2011.
www.ronyplesl.com
The founder of MONOBRAND, Katrin Grund, has always loved architecture, but at her parents' request, she studied economics, and architecture and design remained a hobby for her for many years. However, she ultimately let her passion for beauty and love for design take over and fulfilled her dream by opening a store and showroom under her own brand MONOBRAND. The core portfolio of MONOBRAND today primarily consists of design switches, carefully selected decorative lighting, unique series of door handles and furniture fittings, and premium home communication systems. Katrin Grund selects only the highest quality products with excellent craftsmanship, both from prominent brands and from young talented designers.
www.monobrand.cz
Hager, originating from the German-French border, has been a specialist in electrical installations in residential and commercial buildings for more than 60 years. Hager is synonymous with top-notch switchgear, installation and protective devices, cable management systems, and intelligent building management systems. The family of Hager products also includes Berker home switches - switches and sockets that have been receiving recognition and design awards for nearly a hundred years. In 2015, Hager Electro celebrated 20 years of operation in the Czech Republic. A team of sales, technical, and marketing specialists takes care of Czech and Slovak customers.
www.hager.cz/vypinac