Barber Osgerby

Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby founded their East London studio in 1996, after studying architecture together at the Royal College of Art. For more than two decades their work has challenged the boundaries of design in this country and abroad, while their commitment to lecturing, workshops and studio practice supports the development of new generations of designers.

Barber and Osgerby’s approach is characterised by its emphasis on experimentation and innovation and an exploratory attitude to materiality and colour. From these areas of focus emerge solutions that reflect the close relationship of their work with industrial processes and new technologies, but also its affinities with fine art, illustrated most clearly in large-scale installations such as Double Space (2014) - a series of revolving mirrors suspended from the ceiling of the Raphael Gallery in the V&A - and Forecast (2016) - a wind-powered work installed at Somerset House, as part of the first London Design Biennale.

The strength of Barber and Osgerby’s creative partnership has led to collaborations with some of the world’s most progressive companies and a diversity of output that encompasses architecture, interiors, sculpture, product and exhibition design, from the iconic Loop Table (1996) for Isokon and Soft Work (2018) for Vitra, to the 2012 Olympic Torch and a £2 coin commissioned to commemorate the 150th anniversary of London Underground. In 2017 Phaidon published a new monograph - Barber Osgerby, Projects - covering the designers first twenty years of practice.

Amongst many professional accolades, Barber and Osgerby received the Jerwood prize in 2004 and in 2007 were awarded the status of Royal Designers for Industry. In 2013 they were appointed to the Order of the British Empire, for services to the design industry. Examples of their work are held in the permanent collections of the V&A and the Design Museum in London, the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Olympic Museum in Switzerland and the Vitra Design Museum in Germany.

In 2001 Barber and Osgerby founded Universal to function in parallel with their primary studio. Focused on the fields of architecture, interiors and exhibition design, Universal is now recognised as one of the world’s most innovative creative design consultancies. In 2012 the family of Barber Osgerby studios was extended again, with the launch of the strategy-based industrial design consultancy, Map.

1. Jay Osgerby and Edward Barber in their London studio / © Jessica Klingelfuss
2. South-facing elevation of De La Warr Pavilion featuring the De La Warr Pavilion chair designed by Barber Osgerby, Bexhill-on-Sea, England, 2007 / © David Brook
3. Detail of the Barber Osgerby studio / © Barber Osgerby studio

News

Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby had the pleasure of speaking to Jackie Daly for FT, How To Spend It, design issue. Click here to read the profile.

17.04.2021
FT, How To Spend It

Edward Barber speaks to Amy Devers on the Clever Podcast. The hour long discussion delves into Barber's youth, ideals and the work of the studio over the last 25 years. Listen to the podcast here.

06.04.2021
Clever A podcast about design

Jay Osgerby talks to Monocle’s Design Editor Nolan Giles about designing to last and working with manufacturers who share this ethos. Listen to the conversation here.

02.02.2021
Monocle On Design

Flos Stories issue three features a studio visit with Barber Osgerby. Explore the new latest addition to the Bellhop family - Bellhop Floor. Click here to read the feature in Flos Stories.

27.01.2021
FLOS STORIES

Events

25.01.21

Jay took part in the Architonic, Global Design Agenda, Furniture Week. Click here to watch the film.

06.02.20

The Iris 1200 is on display at Nomad Circle, St Moritz, Switzerland from Thursday 6th - Sunday 9th February 2020. The table is made from anodised aluminium segments with a glass top. Produced in a limited edition by Established & Sons.

30.01.20

Edward and Jay caught up with journalist Grant Gibson to discuss the studios work over the past two decades for his Material Matters series. Many topics were covered! Have a listen to the podcast, From Plywood to (recycled) Plastic.

22.01.20

Jay will be taking part in the Vitra panel discussion 'The Desk is Dead' at the Vitra Showroom Hamburg, 22nd January 2020 and he will introduce Soft Work in Frankfurt the following day.

18.11.19

Monday 18th November we are launching our On & On chair and stools for Emeco. We will make a short presentation around 6.00pm at Coexistence, 288 Upper Street, London N1 2TZ. Please come along, all welcome.

12.11.19

Edward will be talking in the Secession Building in Vienna Tuesday 12th November, hosted by Vitra.

Victoria and Albert Museum Design Awards - Winner: Home table

1998

ICFF Editors Award, Best New Designer - Winner: Barber Osgerby