How a Collaboration Sparked Ponc Design

When master furniture maker Knut Klimmek floated the idea of a collaboration, fellow designer Brian Tyrrell of Bear Creation didn’t hesitate. Both shared a passion for timeless design, sustainable craftsmanship, and functional beauty. What began as a simple conversation grew into an innovative project — and ultimately, a new business.

A Meeting of Minds and Materials

The idea was to create something special together: a furniture piece that could evolve with its space and its owner. Their goal wasn’t just to make another shelving unit, but to design a system that could shift, grow, and adapt over time.

The result of this collaboration was modular shelving and storage system, formerly known as Bär but recently rebranded as Ponc, that brings together Brian’s modern, functional design with Knut’s decades of craftsmanship experience.

Launched in Cork in August 2024, Ponc has already made a name for itself as a standout Irish design story — a product that reflects the strength of collaboration and shared values.

From Collaboration to New Venture

With the success of the launch, Knut and Brian took the next natural step and founded Ponc Design, a new business dedicated to producing the modular shelving system and future collaborative designs.

Both bring more than 40 years of combined experience in bespoke furniture making to the table, united by a commitment to sustainability, quality, and innovation. Ponc Design runs alongside their established workshops — Klimmek Furniture and Bear Creation — allowing each maker to continue their individual work while building something new together.

The collaboration with Brian on this project has been critical to its success. Although we are very different, we quickly found we shared a lot of common values that have been expressed in the Ponc modular shelving system that we have designed and produced together.

Knut Klimmek

The Beauty of Ponc

The Ponc modular shelving system is designed to be movable and adaptable, allowing it to fit effortlessly into any home. From a single bookshelf to a wall-length entertainment centre, the system can be reconfigured to suit changing spaces and needs. Shelves can be adjusted, cabinets can be switched from doors to drawers, and each piece is designed and made in Ireland.

The Sustainability of Ponc

We have used the principles of the circular economy as a guide to making our shelving system as sustainable as possible.

Materials and fittings are sourced in Europe from suppliers who stand on their own sustainable credentials.

The system is finished with an oil that produces 0 VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds). It is designed to be applied manually as a single coat system, making it easy to refurbish in the future.

As a final step we offer a buyback program for parts or components that our customers no longer require. This means that the value of the product is maintained for everyone, allows us to develop a marketplace for refurbished parts and builds a community around the product.

This commitment to craftsmanship and innovation hasn’t gone unnoticed. Since its launch, Ponc has won both the IDI Award for Product/Furniture Design and the Irish Wood Awards in the furniture category, recognising the quality and ingenuity behind the work.

Upcoming Events

See Ponc Design at the Ideal Home Show

Next up for Knut and Brian is the Ideal Home Show at the RDS, Dublin (17–19 October), where Ponc Design will exhibit the award-winning Ponc modular shelving system.

Visitors will have the chance to experience the craftsmanship up close — and see how thoughtful design can truly transform a space.