Talk to me about how and when the business was founded.
The history of RS Barcelona began in 1975 in a small sheet metal workshop. Rafael Rodríguez Castillo, a seasoned mould maker, decided to set up his own business. Over time, his workshop became an industrial building just outside Barcelona and his two sons, Rafael and Sergio, joined the business. The machines cut, folded and bent metal at a relentless pace and the work soon became monotonous. Working for others put food on the table but it didn’t satisfy the creative hunger of the business. It was time for the company to put all the expertise built up over the years into designing a unique product of its own. An iconic design is born: the RS2 football table, taking the football table out of the garage and into the living room, the nerve centre of the home. Coincidence came into play in 2006, when RS Barcelona came into contact with Vinçon, Barcelona’s leading design store, and the RS2 earned itself a prime spot in the store window. This chance encounter gave the company the push it needed to reach for more. More dreams. More products. More progress. That’s how it all began, with a football table. But it wasn’t just a product. It wasn’t just a game. It was a statement of intent, the essence of intense living: a way to celebrate the beauty of life, inviting us to savour every moment. That’s what we’ve been doing for the last 15 years. Putting our soul and craftsmanship into everything we do to transmit our passion for design.
What was the inspiration/concept behind the company?
At RS Barcelona we want to turn the ordinary into extraordinary. And we do it by means of our way of understanding design. Designing to captivate. Searching for beauty in simplicity. Simplicity that becomes elegance. Focusing on the exquisite nature of the details that make an item unique and authentic. Designing merely for the satisfaction
of a job well done. Raising the expert hand of the artisan. That’s where its value and honesty lie. Designing to last transcending the volatility of passing trends with one’s own personality. Designing to transform spaces bringing a touch of exclusivity, whether subtle or bold, to make each room a space in which to experience unforgettable moments. Designing to be meaningful and to leave an imprint. Respectfully, responsibly and positively. At RS Barcelona we design with our soul, driven by passion. A passion for design.
What sets you apart from your competitors?
RS Barcelona products are a perfect balance of design, functionality and playability, in the case of our game tables. They stand out not only for their attractiveness and playful spirit, but also for their versatility and functionality, helping to achieve our goals and to feel good. RS Barcelona products focus on people, their well-being, and the way they interact and connect with each other. At RS Barcelona it gives us a real buzz to create products that accompany people in their everyday experiences, that form part of those moments which may fly by but which stay with you forever. So we customize them to make it unique and exclusive. One product for each person.
How has the company grown since its launch?
In our early years, RS Barcelona’s growth was slow. We grew little by little because we continued to produce for other manufacturers in the workshop. When we started to go out and exhibit in other countries, such as the United States or France, the request for our products began to rise and we had to make a decision that would be the turning point: to focus all our production capacity only on our own brand and products. New designs, new pieces, new markets, new customers… From that moment on, everything changed. Today, our game tables and design furniture are sold all over the world and we collaborate with the main architecture and interior design studios worldwide for clients such as 4 Seasons, Marriott, Hilton, Scandic, Google, Deutsche Bank, Mastercard, LinkedIn, Microsoft, Allianz, Pfizer, among others.
What would you say has been one of your proudest moments for the company thus far?
We are proud of every project. No matter how small. Every client is a challenge. We work to suit the needs of their project in order to give the best of our products and our team. To achieve their expectations, which are our aim. Seeing our products in the hall of a hotel, on the rooftop of a restaurant or in an office or in the living room of a private residence is the best reward for our work.
