In addition to crafting sculptures from steel, brass, and wood, Richardt has been developing minimalist designs for over a decade at the Danish design studio Frama. His portfolio includes a day bed, a lounge chair, candle holders, a shelving system, and an ultra-minimal lamp created for the renowned restaurant Noma.
Sophie Charara
Frama opted not to produce Tool One, so Richardt initially kept it for personal use until he discovered kitchenware studio Veark, also based in Copenhagen. The co-founders Daniel Ronge and Christian Lorentzen quickly fell in love with the design.
While it may seem humorous to focus on such simplicity, Richardt found inspiration from utensils used in Asian cooking. Bamboo chopsticks, utilized by stir-fry chefs for tasting and sampling, have a long-standing presence in culinary practice.
“I had some chopsticks at home that I used to stir my oatmeal in the morning for a couple of years, but they were a bit too small for that,” he explains. “Then I thought about making it larger, designing something that could also flip a pancake. In Japan, they actually have larger chopsticks, but they still use them in pairs for stirring, and they’re quite enjoyable to use.”
Moreover, wood utensils offer practicality—lasting for decades when properly cared for—compared to silicone options that may last only a few years. Recently, there has been increasing concern over the toxic chemicals that standard black plastic spatulas may release.
Sophie Charara
From a design perspective, it’s evident that we’ve been moving toward a desire for minimalism for a while. We’ve seen a fascination with minimalist kitchen tools from brands like Joseph Joseph and the sleek, stackable bowls we’ve come to appreciate. Meanwhile, Jony Ive has mirrored this trend in technology, much like his predecessors who created iconic furniture and lighting designs.
However, the trend of abstract, wooden Scandinavian baby toys in muted tones can be quite vexing. Many would prefer vibrant colors and playful sounds. Likewise, the plainness of featureless nativity sets can be off-putting. They often seem absurd. Yet, it’s hard to argue that you could be any more minimalist than a simple stick.
As WIRED senior editor Jeremy White marvels, “How can something so absurdly simplistic be so coveted?” Is it that a stirring stick evokes a more rugged image than a spoon, perhaps akin to how a character like Carmy Berzatto from The Bear might wield it in a bustling kitchen?
“It’s a humble tool. I was taken aback by how simply using a stick can transform the cooking experience,” Richardt laughs. “It brought back memories that were hard to articulate but felt comforting. It reminded me of our primitive ancestors.”
