From architecture to tableware: how Vera Purtscher is setting the table anew

We all know about ergonomics for the body - but have you heard of ergonomic cutlery? Sounds strange at first, doesn't it? But imagine your spoon or fork resting so perfectly in your hand that you almost forget you're actually eating. No cramping, no uncomfortable angles - just a relaxed meal. That was the idea behind one of Vera Purtscher's many designs: cutlery that not only looks good, but also feels really good. But why is an architect designing cutlery now? For Vera Purtscher, the architect and designer behind the "Vera Pure" and "Vertessi" brands, the answer is clear: it's about more than just function. It's about aesthetics, ergonomics and making everyday life special.

 

It all started with a spoon...

As an architecture student at the Vienna University of Technology, it was not only buildings that fascinated her, but also a series of cutlery that turned Vera Purtscher's head: Josef Hoffmann's famous "round model". The elegant simplicity of the shapes sparked a love of design at first sight that would culminate years later in her own "MoonLashes". But how did this come about?

After her studies, Vera first immersed herself in the big international world of architectural design in the office of Professor Wilhelm Holzbauer, where she learned the realities of architectural design from the ground up. However, she soon had more ideas than her drawing roll could hold. After qualifying as a civil engineer, she quickly set up her own architectural practice. In addition to residential projects, conversions and doctors' surgeries, she also formulated sharp architectural and design critiques, always with an unerring sense of form and function, coupled with know-how about the day-to-day workings of architecture. But Vera wanted more: not only rooms should come from her pen, but also the things that people touch, use and love. A cutlery design? Why not! And the rest is design history.

 

Design for the starred kitchen

Her first breakthrough as a product designer came in her 30s: the "Inner Fire" teapot for the legendary Italian design brand Alessi. To this day, she is the only Austrian to have made it into Alberto Alessi's exclusive "Memory Containers".

This was followed by the "MoonLashes", a cutlery design that impresses with its simplicity and perfection. Every fork, every knife and every spoon has been meticulously studied by Vera to combine ergonomics and elegance. The spoon in particular, with its asymmetrical bowl, shows her love of detail - it is designed to fit perfectly in the hand, whether right- or left-handed. It is no coincidence that top chefs such as Heinz Reitbauer, Hans Haas and Roland Trettl rely on Vera's cutlery. Their designs are not only stylish, but also practical tools for everyday use - or for a Michelin-starred dinner.

 

When a glass becomes a topic of conversation

Vera also sets new standards for glasses. Her "SinStella" collection is no ordinary champagne flute. Rather, it is a sculptural connection - or separation J - of glass and base: elegant drinking without a conventional glass with stem and base. Whether sparkling wine (champagne?), amuse-bouche, snack or dessert - each piece in the series is versatile and an eye-catcher on the table.

The mouth-blown glasses rest on aerodynamic bases made of flawless K9 glass. It is this symbiosis of functionality and art that makes "SinStella" so unique. It is no wonder that the glasses are noble enough for royal weddings as well as being used in Michelin-starred kitchens.

 

A gift for eternity

2024 marks another milestone for Vera: the merger of "Vera Pure" with the k.u.k. Vertessi " manufactory . The first piece of the new brand is a tribute to sustainable design and traditional craftsmanship: the "Tantum" spoon made of solid sterling silver or 18-carat gold, manufactured in Vienna's last silver cutlery manufactory.

This timeless gift will accompany the recipient for a lifetime - whether for a christening, graduation or wedding. It is a symbol of durability, elegance and values that last for generations.

 

The stylishly laid table 

For Vera Purtscher, the laid table is far more than just a necessity - it is a place of encounter, enjoyment and, especially at Christmas time, magic. "Being together at the table is also a form of love," she says. Her designs are intended to enrich precisely these special moments without being loud or intrusive. People discuss, laugh, listen, exchange ideas, have time and enjoy eating together. Respect is paid to the person who cooked the meal and reference is paid to nature, which has given these gifts: for Vera, setting the table accordingly is a form of gratitude and bowing.  

 

With the "Vertessi" brand, Vera Purtscher brings Wiener Werkstätte aesthetics into the modern world: exclusive, functional and timeless. Her cutlery and glasses not only transform everyday moments into stylish experiences, but also conjure up a unique atmosphere at festively laid tables - whether at Christmas or on other special occasions.