Designer Max Enrich finds the balance between design and aesthetics. His output is defined by pieces which work as both homeware and art. With a focus on finding functional solutions for unexpected shapes, Max plays with the limits of form and functionality. Utilizing materials such as stone, iron and wood, siphoning their simplicity and roughness to create new, delicate pieces. We spoke to Max about his creative process, the culture in his hometown of Barcelona, and what’s next for the brand.
What do you like about living in Barcelona?
I like the diversity of options. I live in a very calm area, we have no tourists and not many businesses. So when I seek calmness, I stay around here. I have a studio in Gracia, which is a neighbourhood full of life. There are not many cars, it’s mostly people walking and cycling. So there’s lots of bars and nightlife, the city is alive.
There’s too much energy for me. I normally go there because I have a meeting or if I’m seeing a supplier, but there are too many things happening at the same time.
/
What’s your average day like?
So I normally grab my bike and I go to my studio in Gracia, but then I may suddenly have to go downtown to visit a client or have lunch with a friend. I don't usually know what's going to happen after that. I just like to peddle around;l we have nice enough weather to just leave your house at 9:00 am with a t-shirt and not get back to your place until midnight.
Would you say you're a spontaneous person?
Yes, I like my order, but I also like it when it breaks. I like to know my plans, but I don't care if I suddenly have to go two kilometres away. I normally like to change the path, let's say. That’s how you discover new stores, artisans, suppliers and restaurants.
So your spontaneity, do you think that translates into your work?
Yes, it does because when you're walking or peddling through a street you’ve never been down before, you are just more awake. Instead of thinking about your day to day stuff, you're expecting to receive something new. That's how I seek for inspiration, in those moments of this spontaneity, rather than sitting on my desktop, watching the internet for hours.
Is there a particular place you like to go to feel inspired?
When I have time, I like to go to Montjuïc with my wife Elenya. It’s a very small mountain we have in the Southern part of Barcelona. Many of the buildings there were built for the Olympics. It's a contrast because they were built in the 1900s, It's more like a visiting area than a living space because it's mostly institutional buildings, museums and gardens, rather than flats. From one side of the view, you can see the whole city and from the other, you can view the sea.
/
What's your favourite restaurant in Barcelona?
Well, I normally visit Flash-Flash or Il Giardinetto, they are in front of one another. Both are full of traditional, cultural energy - architects and photographers visit them a lot. Those are the places I visit the most, but I love it when my gourmet friends say there's a new place in town. I like to be impressed by my friends who like these gourmet, culinary experiences.
Who is your favourite music artist from Barcelona?
I'm not really up to date on contemporary music, but regarding DJs, I'd say Pau Roca would be a good choice to represent Barcelona.
/
Are there any Barcelona based photographers that we should check out?
As for photographers, I would recommend Salva Lopez for his perfection in interiors, Iris Humm for her eyes on details and Coke Bartrina for outdoors and lifestyle. Living outside Barcelona, Camila Fálquez for portraits.
Are there any Barcelona based designers or clothing brands that you would like to recommend?
Besides Curated By, I'd recommend Shon Mott for their simplicity and timeless approach.
/
How would you describe the creative community in Barcelona?
I would say it has been like a desert for the last 15 years. Creativity in furniture and design didn’t exist. I haven't had many professional colleagues because there aren't many. But there's a new generation coming up and it's coming strong - they know what they like. It's happening at the same time in Barcelona and Madrid, it’s getting strong and it's full of personality. We've had a desert in creativity, but now is going to be a good era in Barcelona.
How has the pandemic affected the way you create?
I don't know if you saw the news, but we were confined for months, not seeing each other, nothing was happening, Like when you stop time. All the creative projects were totally frozen and people in my situation were just waiting for the moment to end. But it was so intense, so people used this time in their own way. I don't create only for a living and for business, I create because I like to. It wasn't a creative moment, so it was like everyone was missing good vibes and energy. But it has led to a new birth, because people and companies need their projects to keep going.
What’s next for the brand?
Well, what we do here is produce everyday objects in a timeless fashion, we try not to follow trends. Because of the textile industry here, it's easy to produce your ideas. So now we're doing a woven pullover. And on the side of objects, we are launching a table knife made with a local brand.
Any upcoming projects you’d like to speak on?
I have an upcoming group exhibition running in Milan, which mixes three designers from Italy and three designers from Barcelona. It's nice to see the contrast. I like it when cities connect because sometimes it's even hard to connect with the people in your city.
