Anyone who still associates Austrian design with Viennese Weaving and Josef Hoffmann hasn’t heard of Ursula Futura. Founded in 2021 by Kathrin Zelger, the design studio carries a distinctive name that, at first glance, sounds more like a Berlin DJ than a studio for experimental glass objects.
As present and defining as Berlin’s techno scene, so are the glass objects from Vienna. Kathrin Zelger is particularly fascinated by the transformative nature of glass. With its fluid and solid properties, the material lies at the core of her creative practice. Once glass reaches a temperature of around 600 degrees Celsius, it begins to resemble water in its behavior. This association influences many of her designs – both in terms of form and production techniques.
The PHANTOM bowl is a signature example of Ursula Futura’s aesthetic. Its silhouette shares similarities with a goblet or chalice and takes shape through the rhythmic inhaling and exhaling of the glassblower. Each piece is unique and interacts dynamically with light and shadow. The subtle indentation in the glass enhances the shimmering effect – similar to how light passing through a water-filled glass creates patterns on the reflective surface behind it.
