…major built project was the Vitra Fire Station (1993) in Weil am Rhein
Composed of a series of sharply angled planes
Her other built works from this period included a housing project for IBA Housing (1993) in Berlin
Eurovoix
With just two months to go until the Eurovision Song Contest takes over Basel
the nearby German city of Weil am Rhein is gearing up for its own celebration of Europe’s biggest music event
and Lord Mayor Diana Stöcker officially unveiled their parallel ESC programme
which aims to bring Eurovision fever across the border into Germany
The ESC Festival will take place from 11 to 17 May 2025
One of the standout events of Weil am Rhein’s festival is a special concert by Eurovision icon Nicole
who won the 1982 contest with her song “Ein bisschen Frieden” (A Bit of Peace)
Her exclusive concert will take place on May 14 at the House of People’s Education
the festival offers a variety of free events
Eurovision”) will present a scientific lecture on how the ESC reinvents itself
who wrote his dissertation on the Eurovision Song Contest
is also a freelance journalist for NDR and team leader of the Eurovisions International Conference
a research group that studies the competition from an academic perspective
Some logistical challenges have impacted plans further plans from Weil am Rhein’s city council
A public viewing area with only 80 seats means that most fans will likely head to Basel for large-scale screenings
a previously planned festival tent at the Rheincenter parking deck had to be scrapped due to financial
The city has allocated 160,000 Swiss francs (165,300 euros) for the ESC Festival
the same budget usually reserved for the annual Gravel Plant Open-Air Festival
Switzerland will host the contest for the third time
after the inaugural edition at Lugano in 1956 and the 1989 edition at Lausanne
Image Source: Stadt Wheil am Rhein | Source: BaZ & Stadt Weil am Rhein
Germany was one of seven countries to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1956
The country has taken part in every contest since then
when they failed to make it through the qualifying round
The first time was in 1982 when Nicole sang “Ein Bisschen Frieden” in Harrogate
Germany didn’t win again until 2010 when Lena sang “Satellite” in Oslo
Eurovoix News Editor and Dutch playwright obsessed with Eurovision since 2006
Frank Gehry will also have his museum on the German Rhine
The Vitra museum is the product of his relationship with furniture designers and builders
and also of his contacts with that pop art whose vitality slides through the work of the architect from Los Angeles
A prestigious space to exhibit and exalt the tradition of modern design - between rational and surreal - of the chair
placed in front of the offices of the factory and that welcomes the recent history in the collection of pieces gathered by Vitra
Cliente ClientVitra International / Rolf Fehlbaum
Equipo de diseño Design teamFrank Gehry; Robert Hale; C
Lorrach (arquitectos asociados associated architects): Roland Mayer
Rafael Novoa; Vitra-Modo Office (interiorismo interiorism); Gerschik & Falk
there arent any match using your search terms
an award-winning bridge that cost around £86 million to construct
enables tourists to visit three countries in a day
which is the world's longest single-span bridge
crosses the Rhine river between France's Huningue and Germany's Weil am Rhein
The bridge lies in Swiss city of Basel and stretches an impressive 248 metres in length
It features no central supports in the water and stands as a testament to modern engineering and design
dedicated solely for the use of pedestrians and cyclists
The bridge is the brainchild of visionary Franco-Austrian architect Dietmar Feichtinger and was inaugurated in 2007
Travel enthusiasts who have ventured across this bridge have shared their awe-inspiring experiences online
One visitor commented: "Great opportunity to walk to Germany
One traveller remarked: "The bridge itself is amazing
That such a large and expensive bridge was built solely for pedestrians and bicycles is enlightening."
highlighting the contrast between the sides: "The German side is very industrial
multicultural area that is bedecked with colour."
Luis Barragán (1902–1988) is widely regarded as the most important Mexican architect of the twentieth century
the architect’s professional estate has been in the care of the Barragan Foundation
a small team of researchers under the leadership of architectural historian Federica Zanco has systematically evaluated and catalogued the archival documents within the framework of a thorough analysis of Luis Barragán’s oeuvre
As part of a newly established partnership between the Barragan Foundation and the Vitra Design Museum
this material has moved to new premises on the Vitra Campus in Weil am Rhein
With the aim of facilitating further scholarly investigation and cooperation with other institutions
the Barragán Archive joins the museum’s archival holdings from the estates of such prominent figures as Charles and Ray Eames
The Barragán Archive is hosted by the Vitra Design Museum in new facilities designed by Dieter Thiel
located in close proximity to the Vitra Schaudepot
This includes a state-of-the-art repository for the documents
Curated by Martin Josephy in collaboration with Luis E
photographs and other material from the Barragán Archive
together with biographical details and an illustrated chronology of modern architecture in Mexico
This ensemble of documents and supplementary information illuminates Barragán’s life and work in a larger context
Luis Barragán’s oeuvre spans a period of six decades between the late 1920s and the 1980s
After attracting international attention with his first buildings in his hometown of Guadalajara
where he further developed his distinctive architectural language
By combining the international vocabulary of Modernism with traditional elements of Mexican culture and landscape
he created a truly original form of expression
Significant works include the planning of the new district Jardines del Pedregal (1945–1952) located on a lava plain south of Mexico City
and the residential developments of Las arboledas (1957–1962) and Los clubes (1961–1966)
Barragán was awarded the Pritzker Architecture Prize
The documents and objects in the Barragán Archive were accumulated by the architect over the course of his entire career
The Archive encompasses approximately 13,500 sketches
nearly the same number of photographic prints
This body of material was offered for sale in 1995 by New York City dealer Max Protetch
The Barragan Foundation was established in order to prevent the dispersal of the architect’s professional estate and to ensure its conservation for future study
significant complementary acquisitions were made
including a collection of negatives and original prints by the Mexican photographer Armando Salas Portugal
whose striking portrayals of Barragán’s architecture are artistic works in their own right
A previous collaboration between the Barragan Foundation and the Vitra Design Museum resulted in the travelling exhibition Luis Barragán
which debuted in Weil am Rhein in the year 2000 before touring internationally
with a final showing in 2002/03 at the Museo de Bellas Artes in Mexico City
The Vitra Design Museum is currently planning a new retrospective
and a comprehensive publication by the Barragan Foundation is in preparation
was the among the first of Hadid’s design projects to be built
The building’s obliquely intersecting concrete planes
which serve to shape and define the street running through the complex
represent the earliest attempt to translate Hadid’s fantastical
powerful conceptual drawings into a functional architectural space
The Vitra Campus is a vast complex comprising factories, showrooms, and the Vitra Design Museum
Since the original factory’s destruction by a fire in 1981
Vitra has commissioned replacement structures by renowned architects from around the world: buildings by Frank Gehry
and several other notable designers all stand within the same estate
After a bolt of lightning caused a fire that burned more than half the factory campus in a single night
Vitra was determined to prevent a similar disaster from destroying its new campus.[1,2]
Hadid was initially tasked only to design the fire station itself. The project, however, would eventually expand to include boundary walls, an exercise space, and a bicycle shed. These elements were to sit along a bend in the main road running through the Vitra Campus. The street—and by extension, the new fire station—was designed to act as a linear landscaped zone, one that would reference the layout of the surrounding farmland.[3]
These design intentions resulted in a long, narrow structure that stretched the program along the edge of the street. The building itself is composed of a series of linear concrete walls and roof elements, with the program fitted into the interstitial spaces between them. The walls, which appear as pure planar forms from the outside, are punctured, tilted, or folded in order to meet internal requirements for circulation and other activities.[5]
© Christian RichtersThe planes which form the walls and roof are formed from exposed
Hadid specified that the visual purity of these elements was to be strictly maintained; roof cladding and edging
which would have distracted from the otherwise crisp edges of the concrete
This conspicuous visual simplification was carried through in every aspect of the building
from the frameless glazing down to the lighting treatment in the interiors; the very lines of light that permeate the fire station are logical and straightforward.[6]
The resulting impression is that of “frozen movement.”[10] It is a fitting architectural mood for a fire station, which must remain on constant alert; the design reflects that tension, as well as the potential to burst into action at any given moment.[11] With as much effort as Hadid put in to represent the nature of a fire station, it is ironic that her design saw no real service in that role – instead, it is now used an exhibition and special event space.[12,13]
p146.[11] “Vitra Fire Station.”[12] Jodidio
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With »Nike: Form Follows Motion« the Vitra Design Museum will present the first ever museum exhibition about Nike
the world’s most revered sports brand
The exhibition will explore the company’s five-decade ascent from a grassroots start-up to a global phenomenon
The focus is on Nike’s design history: from the company’s beginnings in the 1960s and the design of its famous »swoosh« logo
to iconic products such as Air Max and Flyknit
and current research devoted to future materials and sustainability
Following the Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games in Paris as well as the European Football Championship in Germany
the exhibition will emphasize the importance of sports for design innovation and social change
while also shedding light on the almost mythical devotion to sneakers and sportswear in popular culture and social media
The exhibition has been initiated and produced by the Vitra Design Museum and curated by Glenn Adamson.
has become the world’s leading sports brand since its incorporation in 1972
it is also the world’s largest apparel company
with an annual revenue of more than $50 billion
But Nike is not only a successful company; it is a whole design culture
The proof can be seen almost no matter where you go: a dynamic display of innovative materials
products are developed through a unique blend of scientific study
Hundreds of designers there collaborate with specialists in other fields
from material engineering to biology to body mechanics – and
with many of the world’s best athletes.
the exhibition »Nike: Form Follows Motion« offers a look behind the scenes of this unique design laboratory while also examining Nike’s involvement with technological innovation and social change
Most of the exhibits are sourced from the Department of Nike Archives (DNA)
The exhibition is the first to present a curated selection from this archive to the public
Among the exhibits are rarities and one-offs including experimental prototypes of iconic sneaker models like the Waffle trainer
as well as original design studies for shoes and apparel
The creative contributions of individual designers are highlighted throughout
both those inside the company like Diane Katz
and external collaborators like Marc Newson
Athletes — from the world’s greatest to the everyday — have also played an especially important role in Nike’s design process by bringing their own experiences and requirements into product development.
The exhibition is structured in four chronological sections
delves into the Nike archive’s earliest holdings
The company was founded by two men: Phil Knight
Their early employees — and most of their customers — were mainly serious amateurs and collegiate runners
with a few professionals helping to promote the brand
with sales representatives taking shoes to track meets
Nike established one of its key design principles: always listen to the voice of the athlete
visitors will encounter stories from the brand’s earliest days
such as the development of the first Waffle Sole in Nike co-founder Bill Bowerman’s kitchen or the story of the Tennessee State University Tigerbelles
a team of black female athletes during the civil rights era in the United States.
Through endorsements with star athletes like Michael Jordan
the company established itself as a prime mover in popular culture
Nike transcended its origins in track and field
Its designs became fixtures of pop culture
thanks to a crafty understanding of the street-style landscape
Classics like the Air Force 1 and the Air Jordan were featured in imaginative TV commercials (mostly by the Portland-based ad firm Wieden + Kennedy)
the company was investing in a new technology: capsules of pressurized gas that provided cushioning without adding weight
Nike Air was first made visible in the 1987 Air Max
opening up a new chapter in the company’s design history
the fascinating evolution of the Air sole is illustrated with numerous artefacts from the initial development process
including air bag prototypes and a testing machine created by engineer Frank Rudy
who first developed the technology and proposed it to Nike.
explains some of the research and development behind Nike’s designs
visitors get an insight into the heart of the Nike Sport Research Lab
one of the world’s largest and most advanced facilities for the study of the body in motion
this technical research has increasingly focused on the advancing athletic potential
which simulates the feel of barefoot running
developed as part of an effort to break the two-hour barrier in the marathon
The gallery shows the impact of material innovations like Flyknit on both performance and sustainability and explores Nike’s current efforts to reduce its own climate impact through ethical material sourcing and circular manufacturing techniques
Nike’s research into plastic recycling is also examined in this section
with examples including Nike Grind —a granulate of recycled items used for a variety of purposes — as well as the company’s journey from the first recycling projects in the early 2000s up to current initiatives.
reflects on Nike’s collaborations with external designers
The gallery is a showcase for fifty examples of intriguing and sometimes outrageous footwear from Nike’s history
some developed through collaborations with fashion designers and creatives
The room also examines Nike’s eminent role in pop and counterculture
which is illustrated with examples of music videos or Social Media footage that show Nike’s critical role in shaping and reflecting new trends and values
This section underlines that the symbiosis of design and sports has always been about more than just performance
It is also about reflecting ideals of the human body
the deeply human aim to push the boundaries and discover new territory.
director of the Vitra Design Museum: »For a long time
we have wanted to organize an exhibition on design and sports
we learned more about their incredible design archive — a huge treasure that had never been presented in an exhibition
That was how the idea of this exhibition was born
The show offers a unique opportunity to focus on design through the lens of a single brand
and to display fascinating objects that illustrate the process of design development — some of which have never been shown before.«
curator of the exhibition: »In addition to our interest in the evolution of iconic products
we will look at the larger social and historical context surrounding Nike
sport has had a tremendous impact on our perception of the human body
beyond the track and the court — for example
Our exhibition will show how the company has both instigated and responded to these changing dynamics
from its initial emphasis on performance and optimization to greater diversity and inclusion
By looking at Nike’s design strategies
we gain insights into that bigger cultural picture.«
The exhibition will be guided by a broad range of events and workshops on the subject of sports and design
Following its premiere at the Vitra Design Museum
the exhibition will travel to further international museum venues.
is a new shopping centre being developed as a multi-national shopping destination in the German town of Weil am Rhein
The project was awarded planning permission in April 2018 and the ground-breaking ceremony was held in November 2018
Estimated to involve an investment of €85m ($96.04m), the mall is expected to be completed by Autumn 2021. It will create 400 jobs and attract visitors from across the Swiss border in Basel
Centermanagement Group Germany Weil am Rhein (CEMAGG Weil am Rhein)
won the Europe-wide competition conducted by the local council for the development of a new shopping centre in Weil am Rhein
Chapman Taylor’s Düsseldorf studio is the designer of the shopping facility
The shopping centre is located at Europaplatz near the point where France
The location is close to the regional S-Bahn station and the new S8 tram station
The mall can also be accessed by a new tram line from the Swiss border in Basel
The shopping centre is being built into a steep site with a 15m drop known as Hangkante or Edge of Slope
It is being developed as a curved building complex on the 10,000m² inner-city area
It will have a sales area of 16,500m² and include between 60 and 70 shops and restaurants
the mall will include three levels of retail
and three levels of parking for up to 600 cars
It will include two buildings to be connected on the upper floors
including the shopping centre and an entrance tower on the area of the new turning loop of the S8 tram station
and a third on the B3 federal highway opposite the train station
Large windows are being created at the entrances and the course of the Müllheimer Straße
rear-ventilated metallic one designed to allow enough natural light into the building
Escalators to the north and south as well as three customer elevators and a staircase in the middle will be installed to ensure connectivity to all retail levels
The lowest retail level will be linked to the garage floors through elevators and staircases
The kindergarten will have a dedicated entrance for easy accessibility
The construction of the shell of the third and fourth basement levels was completed in May 2020
while the overall shell is anticipated to be completed in early-2021
The Three Countries Mall can be accessed directly from the B3 and an additional left-turn lane will be constructed for left-turners coming from the north
The entrances and exits will include two barrier systems with adequately dimensioned backwater solutions
The building will be heated via a bio-oil-operated combined heat and power unit and a condensing peak load biogas boiler
The first floor will have multiple restaurants and a 150m² west-facing outdoor terrace
which will provide a view of the border triangle
A forecourt will provide a new public area for events and leisure activities
A customer guidance system will be available across all parking and retail floors
the mall will have high-quality rest areas and baby changing rooms
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2024 emerges as a pivotal year—a canvas for daring experimentation and paradigm shifts
Let’s delve into how unconventional design styles are redefining aesthetics
Unconventional design styles are not only breaking the rules but also creating new ones
designers are exploring the possibilities of mixing and matching different elements
these styles are challenging conventional notions of beauty
and functionality and inviting the viewers to see the world in a new light
These styles also reflect the diversity and complexity of the world and express different perspectives
From social activism to cultural fusion to personal storytelling
these styles are giving voice to the marginalized
and the unheard and inspiring change and action
these styles are pushing the boundaries of what is possible and desirable
Designers are using cutting-edge technologies
to create innovative and immersive experiences
These styles are not only enhancing the functionality and usability of design but also expanding the scope and impact of design
From interactive art installations to smart clothing to living architecture
these styles are transforming the way we interact with our environment and ourselves
Unconventional design styles are making a statement in 2024
Deconstructivism is a term that describes a style of graphic design that challenges the conventional norms and rules of composition
It is inspired by the philosophical concept of deconstruction
which questions the assumptions and meanings of language and representation
Deconstructivism in graphic design is not a fixed set of techniques or methods but rather a creative attitude that seeks to disrupt
and reassemble the elements of design in unexpected and innovative ways
Emerging in the late 1980s and early 1990s
influenced by the postmodern movements in architecture
Some of the pioneers of deconstructivist graphic design were David Carson
They aimed to challenge the viewers’ expectations and provoke them to think critically about the messages and meanings of design
Deconstructivism has had a lasting impact on the modern graphic design scene
as it has opened up new possibilities of expression and communication
Many contemporary designers have adopted and adapted the deconstructivist approach
using digital tools and media to create designs that are dynamic
Some examples of modern deconstructivist design are the works of Stefan Sagmeister
They use deconstruction as a way to explore and experiment with different forms
This is a style that adapts to the changing preferences and expectations of customers
Customers are looking for designs that are not only functional and efficient
They want designs that are not only standardized and consistent but also personalized and customized
They want designs that are not only familiar and comfortable
Deconstructivism can meet these needs by creating designs that are flexible
Nature and modern design may seem like opposites
but they can actually complement each other and create a new style that is both innovative and organic
which are inspired by the shapes and patterns of living forms
we can achieve a more natural aesthetic in our urban environments while also enhancing our well-being and sustainability
but it has gained popularity in recent years as more people seek to reconnect with nature and reduce their environmental impact
Biomorphic design can be applied to various fields and disciplines
can convey complex concepts and emotions in a simple and elegant way
one of the most popular online platforms for travel and accommodation
is a biomorphic design that is inspired by the shape of a paperclip
Nature and modern design can mix and create a new style that is both innovative and organic
biomorphic design can create more natural and human-centered environments and more sustainable and harmonious solutions
Biomorphic design is not only a style but also a way of thinking and living that respects and celebrates the diversity and beauty of nature
Imagine a concrete façade with exposed aggregate
Brutalist buildings evoke a sense of permanence
The Barbican Estate in London stands tall as a testament to this style
and gardens—all within a monolithic concrete shell
The beauty lies in its honesty—the material’s imperfections become part of the design
Brutalism is a style of design that is not afraid to show its true colors
It is inspired by the architecture of the mid-20th century
which used concrete and other rough materials to create functional and imposing buildings
Brutalism is not about making things pretty or pleasing
It is about making a statement and challenging the norms
but it has recently gained popularity in graphic design
More and more designers are embracing the brutalist aesthetic and applying it to their websites
What is the appeal of this raw and rebellious style
Brutalism is a reaction to the mainstream and the conventional
It is a way of expressing one’s individuality and creativity
It is a way of standing out from the crowd and the noise
It is a way of challenging the expectations and standards of industry and society
Brutalism is a reflection of the times and the mood
It is a way of capturing reality and the emotions of the present
It is a way of addressing the issues and problems of the world
It is a way of showing the contrast and the conflict between the natural and the artificial
Brutalism is a celebration of the materials and the medium
It is a way of showcasing the beauty and potential of the raw and the simple
It is a way of experimenting with the tools and techniques of the digital age
It is a way of exploring the possibilities and the limits of graphic design
But brutalism is not trying to please everyone
We’re embracing cyberpunk chic—a fusion of high-tech and grunge
Imagine an office space with exposed wires
Architects play with materials like brushed steel
a nod to a future where technology and urban decay coexist
It is a genre of science fiction that imagines a future where technology has advanced but society has declined
It’s a world where high-tech meets low-life
where neon lights and skyscrapers contrast with pollution and crime
This design style captures this essence by creating a gritty and chaotic aesthetic that reflects the themes and issues of the genre
inspired by cyberpunk literature and movies
Some of the pioneers of the genre include Ridley Scott
These works depicted a dystopian future where humans interacted with artificial intelligence
Cyberpunk design was also influenced by Japanese anime
and technological integration of cyberpunk
creating a unique fusion of styles and elements
Cyberpunk design has some distinct features that make it recognizable and impactful
as well as contrast with the bright and vibrant colors of neon lights
The most common colors for these accents are blue
which evoke a futuristic and artificial feel
As for the typography Cyberpunk design uses typography that is bold
It often mixes different fonts and languages
to reflect the cultural diversity and globalization of cyberpunk
The typography also conveys a sense of rebellion and anarchy
as well as a connection to technology and cyberspace
The style features architecture that is futuristic and complex
Cyberpunk design has evolved and influenced modern design in various ways
As some of the technologies and issues of cyberpunk have become more relevant and realistic
cyberpunk design has also become more prevalent and popular
It is a fascinating and influential genre of design that reflects the high-tech and low-life aspects of cyberpunk
It combines various styles and elements to create a dystopian and futuristic aesthetic that resonates with the themes and issues of the genre
Cyberpunk design has also evolved and influenced modern design as it adapts to changing technologies and society
Do you ever feel bored by the same old minimalist designs that seem to dominate everything from websites to logos to posters
There’s a growing movement of designers and artists who are embracing maximalism
a design style that celebrates the idea that more is more
Maximalism is not just a trend; it’s a revolution
It’s a way of challenging the status quo and breaking free from the constraints of simplicity and harmony
It’s a way of exploring the infinite possibilities of creativity and expression
It’s a way of reflecting the complexity and diversity of the world we live in
Because it resonates with the postmodern individual
This style appeals to the emotional and sensory aspects of the human experience
It makes a bold and memorable statement in a crowded and competitive market
Maximalism is not only changing the world of graphic design but also influencing other fields and industries
and even music are adopting the maximalist style
creating a more vibrant and eclectic aesthetic
Maximalism is not only a design style but also a lifestyle
but it’s for anyone who dares to be different
It’s for anyone who wants to unleash their creativity and make a lasting impact
Design is a powerful form of expression that can shape the world around us
But how can you unleash your creativity in design and graphic design and use it to make a difference in the design world
Creativity is not a fixed trait that you either have or don't have
Creativity is also not a solitary activity that happens in isolation
It is a collaborative process that involves interaction
Explore a myriad of diverse sources of inspiration
Immerse yourself in the intricacies of the natural world
where patterns emerge in the dance of leaves and the intricate designs of seashells
Delve into the rich tapestry of artistic expression
from the classical masterpieces of the Renaissance to the bold experimentation of contemporary artists pushing the boundaries of creativity
each offering a unique perspective and aesthetic vocabulary that can enrich your own creative journey
Draw inspiration from the annals of history
leaving behind a legacy of innovation and ingenuity
Explore the frontiers of science and technology
where cutting-edge discoveries and advancements pave the way for new possibilities and realms of imagination
Experiment with an eclectic array of tools and techniques
each offering its own unique potential for creative expression
From the tactile experience of traditional mediums like charcoal and oil paint to the boundless possibilities of digital platforms and virtual reality
explore the full spectrum of artistic mediums at your disposal
Embrace the tactile nature of sculpting clay or the fluidity of watercolor painting
allowing the physicality of the medium to inform and shape your creative process
where algorithms and code intersect with creativity
offering limitless possibilities for exploration and experimentation
Whether sketching with a simple pencil or manipulating complex 3D models
each tool and technique offers a new avenue for creative exploration and discovery
Challenge yourself to push the boundaries of your design beyond the confines of convention and expectation
Embrace the spirit of experimentation and innovation
daring to explore uncharted territories of creativity
Allow yourself to embrace failure as an opportunity for growth
recognizing that breakthroughs often arise from moments of uncertainty and exploration
Embrace a mindset of curiosity and exploration
allowing yourself to wander down unexpected paths and discover new insights along the way
Merge elements from disparate eras and styles
weaving together a tapestry of influences that transcends time and space
Embrace the juxtaposition of the old and the new
allowing the rich tapestry of history to inform and inspire your creative vision
Draw inspiration from the classical elegance of ancient architecture or the vibrant energy of modern urban landscapes
blending these influences into a seamless synthesis of the past and present
Embrace the interplay of tradition and innovation
forging connections between seemingly disparate elements to create designs that resonate on a deeper level
Embrace the boundless possibilities of imagination
daring to dream the impossible and defying the constraints of reality
Allow yourself to explore fantastical realms and alternate realities
where the laws of physics and reason bend to the will of creativity
Engage with speculative fiction and visionary art
allowing these imaginative realms to inspire and inform your creative process
Push the boundaries of what is deemed possible
challenging yourself to envision bold new futures and realities that transcend the limitations of the present moment
you can unlock new realms of creativity and imagination
pushing the boundaries of what is deemed possible and inspiring awe and wonder in all who encounter your designs
Reward yourself with a journey through the design world and see how beautiful it really is
are planning events for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025
which is located in the Alsace region of France
is planning free public screenings of the two semi-finals and the final
The screenings will be held in the Autodrome of the Mulhouse Automobile Museum
deputy mayor of Mulhouse and minister for tourism
We want to use Eurovision to show that Alsace does not only consist of Strasbourg
but that we are a miniature Europe on a large scale
The occasion is also convenient for us because Mulhouse is celebrating its 800th anniversary this year
Suarez also said that she is looking to see if trains could go to and from Basel at 02:00 during Eurovision and if Louane
a five-day music festival will be organised
The festival will take place on the northern edge of the Rheinpark close to the Rheincenter in a tent with space for up to 1,000 people
While the line-up for the festival hasn’t been announced yet
said that he hoped the line-up would be enough to convince visitors to cross the border into Germany to visit
Eurovision has been seen as an opportunity for the Trinational Eurodistrict of Basel
President of the Cantonal Government of Basel-Stadt commented:
we felt great support for our bid and from the Trinational Eurodistrict.”
have not announced any events for Eurovision 2025 yet
President of the Cantonal Government of Basel-Stadt
at the Allocation Draw in Basel in January
Switzerland earned the honor of hosting Eurovision 2025 after Nemo triumphed at the 2024 contest with their song “The Code”
with 365 from the jury and 226 from the televote
securing Switzerland’s first victory since 1988
The 69th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Basel on May 13
Image Source: Daniel Stridh | Source: Basler Zeitung
Neil is from Ireland but has lived in several countries around Europe. He has has been an editor for Eurovoix since May 2017. He has been following the Eurovision Song Contest since 2005 and attended every contest as press since 2019. He also follows other Eurovision contests, such as the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, which he has watched since the very first edition in 2003.
At the center of the ground floor is a hall, above which is an outdoor atrium. The ring-shaped floor plan reduces the number of vertical circulation areas required and allows the floors to be flexibly divided into different functional units. The 4.05-meter grid of light-colored bricks and rectangular windows echoes the scale and rhythm of the surrounding residential buildings.
© Roland HalbeLight grey wool felt curtains can be used as needed to divide the open-plan space. Cellular rooms at the ends of the building bundle function to provide spaces for both meetings and concentrated work.
The interior palette of materials is limited to exposed concrete ceilings, oak built-in furniture and wall paneling, white modular partitions, and green carpeting. Only a few versatile pieces of furniture, predominantly in white, were selected, along with a few specific textile 'splashes' of color. They embody the idea of providing a modular system of interior elements that can be easily adapted to changing work situations and company structures.
© Roland HalbeSustainability. Thanks to its spatial adaptability, the office building can be used for a long time to come, even if the composition and needs of its users change. The compact structure has a favorable surface-to-volume ratio, which helps to reduce heat losses. The internal courtyard and large expanses of glass ensure that the office areas receive optimum natural light and also allow cross-ventilation through the windows.
SectionDurable and easily repairable materials were used – such as clinker brick, timber-aluminum windows, exposed concrete, oak surfaces, and exposed mastic asphalt screed. Many elements were not glued but screwed or hung without the use of harmful substances.
which exploits the inertia of the building mass
Additional short-term heating requirements are met by the ventilation system
which is kept to a strict minimum using low-velocity air diffusers at the windows and central exhaust air intakes at the two cores
The building is connected to the municipal district heating network
The entire roof area is used for photovoltaic power generation
Located inside the iconic Buckminster Fuller geodesic dome in the Vitra Campus in Weil am Rhein
the Camper Pop-up Shop pioneers a new form of retail shopping by combining the best attributes from in-store and online shopping through a mix of virtual
The design had to adapt to the existing geodesic structure without competing with it
The solution consisted in creating two concentric layers of self-bearing shelves
are lightweight composite timber panels organized in a varied way to create voids
and passages of different sizes and characteristics
The spacing of the wall elements allows for a visual and acoustic permeability
exploration and chance encounters between visitors
The handcrafted aesthetic of Camper is highlighted by using materials and processes that are indicative of shoe fabrication such as braided cord
The installation coincided with the exhibition ‘Making Africa: A Continent of Contemporary Design,’ a traveling exhibition that reflects the energy of a new generation of designers
Visplay (sistemas de venta shopfitting systems)
Vizona (dirección de obra y supervisión construction management and supervision)
Well-known for its designer furniture factory in the German part of the region
Weil am Rhein is part of the imprecise belt of outer suburban Basel
This photographic studio is located in what was formerly one of the older suburbs of villas in a landscape marked by the nearby motorway
small workshops and single family dwellings
While everything incited the studio to distance themselves from this catalogue of forms and ideas
some of the items inspired a solution that bore a likeness to the informal
A detached house with the characteristic slate roof
renovated to house the company’s administration
was the starting point for a project that opted for contrast
the main volume in this architectural ensemble
provides a perspective background for the existing villa
Together with a glazed link gallery and the wall hiding the car park
it transforms the outside space into an oblique
Each link of the unit plays a distinguishing role
If the administration proposes a connection with the domestic scale of the street
the studio traverses the rear of the site with a silent envelope that identifies it as a work area
The sloping roof and the trapezoidal line of the ground plan play with the deformation perspective of the volume
alluding to the activity it contains inside
A narrow bay housing the darkroom and an office lays out the new entrance
the bay produces a vertical transition towards the courtyard
Above its slanting silhouette we see the outline of three cubic skylights
which can be closed by means of interior sliding panels
feed natural light into a space that is usually lit artificially
Cliente ClientUrsula & Rob Frei-Reimann
Arquitectos ArchitectsJacques Herzog, Pierre de Meuron
Fotos PhotosRalf Frei/ Look, Hisao Suzuki, Margherita Spiluttini
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Vitra Campus General PlanThe selection of SANAA
© Human WuA production facility without a role model
Almost all of the major projects that SANAA has completed up until now have been buildings for cultural institutions or universities. In Weil am Rhein – with the first industrial facility to be designed by SANAA – the idea was to apply a similar approach to the construction of a production hall.
Photo by SANAA © VitraThe plan for the new structure was initiated by the desire of Vitra’s management to replace an old factory building near the southern corner of the premises that had survived the great fire in 1981 with only minor damage. The extant building was not only showing its age, but was also too small for current demands. The new facility was to provide 20,000 square metres of floor area – compared to 12,000 square metres in the old structure.
SituationA circular footprint is unusual for a factory building, but all of the conditions in Weil favoured this solution, so that SANAA was able to convince the client to accept their proposal. Another ideal feature of the circular structure is the proportional relationship of the façade’s surface area to the volume of the interior space.
one does not recognize – or even suspect – that the geometry of the floor plan deviates from a perfect circle; yet perhaps this unconformity is unconsciously perceptible
Just as SANAA avoids the use of classical symmetry in their architecture
they frequently employ slightly distorted geometric figures
This may recall the aesthetic concept of wabi sabi
the Japanese notion that imperfection and aesthetic consummation are not necessarily contradictory
The subtle shape of the ‘Alessi Tea Set’ (2004) by SANAA points in this direction
Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa also spoke about transferring some of the liveliness inherent in freehand drawing
which always stands at the beginning of their design process
Or in their own words: ‘My impression is that the circle
The Vitra Campus’ new perennial garden
part of which is seen here in front of a modified geodesic dome by Richard Buckminster Fuller
set in front of Herzog & de Meuron's VitraHaus
features pathways that fluidly guide visitors to experience every inch of flora
Piet Oudolf at his Vitra Garden in August 2020
when Oudolf's design was mapped out using a grid system
One of Oudolf's planting plans for his Vitra garden
specifying plant species and configurations in meticulous detail
Oudolf's Vitra garden is now open to the public
Piet Oudolf creates a garden for all seasons at the Vitra campus in Weil am Rhein
Germany: we took a sneak first peek of the garden design project
Renowned Dutch landscape designer Piet Oudolf has created a lush 4,000 sq m perennial garden for Vitra
bringing a touch of nature to the company's headquarters in the southern German town of Weil am Rhein
Its opening could not be more perfectly timed: having endured long stretches of domestic confinement in the past year, we now crave gardens
and horizons afforded by wide open spaces.
exacting lines and modern fabrications of the architecture both contrast with and complement Oudolf’s landscaping – his complex planting techniques favour texture and structure over frothy blooms
creating year-round ambience so natural as to appear free of human intervention.
so when the theme of a garden on the Vitra Campus came up
I immediately thought of him.’
who is no gardener and has no plans to become one
still extols the powerful ‘potential of integrating nature in the campus
helping Vitra to go further and develop the whole campus as a cohesive landscape’
He points out that landscaping has incrementally become part of Vitra’s HQ; first when Álvaro Siza designed the factory building and the adjoining parking lot
and more importantly with the Álvaro Siza Promenade
the new garden was to be planted around the Frank Gehry-designed Vitra Design Museum
that it would be more captivating set in front of the VitraHaus
‘They had this place with fruit trees in the front of the restaurant
and I thought it would be great if people coming in and out could see something dynamic with plants and flowers,’ says Oudolf
‘You immediately take the visitors in.’
Captivating the audience is always Oudolf’s starting point
he artfully crafts pathways through bushes of allium and echinacea
fluidly guiding visitors to experience and enjoy every inch of flora
‘The idea is that people can wander there
You can walk around and lose yourself a little bit
it’s not a straight path,’ he says.
Oudolf’s planting feels characteristically accidental
The Vitra Campus garden uses more than 30,000 plants with many species and this takes expert organisation: feathery Asclepias tuberosa; reddish Sporobolus heterolepis; giant daisy-like Echinacea pallida; raspberry-coloured brush heads of Sanguisorba menziesii; violet fuzzy baubles of Echinops ritro; candy floss clouds of Filipendula rubra.
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‘I use many design narratives and concepts in one garden
Part of this garden is wilder with more grasses that are dominant
and there’s an area where the plants are taller and more robust
Around the building we have a different concept
There are many considered things you might not notice individually
but you can feel the ambience when you are in the garden,’ he says.
Oudolf considers the calendar of the garden
creating points of interest that will flourish year round
‘Gardens should be interesting all year long,’ he insists
‘The plants that I choose in my designs often have another life after flowering
The colour is only there for a month or two.’ Part of Oudolf’s genius lies in his appreciation of the architecture and structure of plants beyond petals
the framework they provide to an outdoor space.
Piet Oudolf’s advice on garden design and creating inspirational outside space
Gardens should be interesting all year long
the plants that I choose in my designs often have another life after flowering
The colour is only there for a month or two
He works by first of all sketching his designs on drafting paper
and will colour code the plants according to flowering schedule or their physical properties
which will later be marked out on the ground using string
to create a guide that allows him to transfer the designs on paper to the soil
we had to prepare a bulb plan for crocuses
so in February 2021 there would be something in flower
Perennials that grow in full sun start [to bloom] in May and June
and the main flowering period is August and September. In November 2020
pruning and more planting prepared the garden for a snowy winter so that it could emerge in spring 2021 in good shape
I hope what I do inspires people to start with plants
and also inspires them to see the power of plants
The past year has sparked an exodus from many of the world’s major cities as residents pursue a newly discovered desire for more outside space
and cities are spending more money on gardens and so on
You see that people that stay at home are starting to garden more
and you realise that we need more of this in our lives,’ says Oudolf
You can only do that by creating a design that has a layer over it you cannot define
the thing that makes the garden so good and makes you want to stay
to create something that is more than just plants.’
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Tilly is a British writer, editor and digital consultant based in New York, covering luxury fashion, jewellery, design, culture, art, travel, wellness and more. An alumna of Central Saint Martins, she is Contributing Editor for Wallpaper* and has interviewed a cross section of design legends including Sir David Adjaye, Samuel Ross, Pamela Shamshiri and Piet Oudolf for the magazine.
Text description provided by the architects. Over the years the Vitra Campus has become an architecture museum, featuring works by the most renowned architects: Frank Ghery, Zaha Hadid, Alvaro Siza, Tadao Ando, Jean Pruvé, Nicholas Grimshaw, Buckminster Fuller and SANAA (under construction).
The latest addition to the complex is the VitraHaus building, a series of stacked pitched-roof boxed, designed by Herzog & de Meuron for Vitra's Home Collection:
DiagramIn January 2004, Vitra launched its Home Collection, which includes design classics as well as re-editions and products by contemporary designers. As a company whose previous activity was primarily focused on office furnishings and business clients, Vitra created the Home Collection with a new target group in mind: individual customers with an interest in design.
ModelThe VitraHaus has a daytime view and a night time view
one gazes out of the VitraHaus into the landscape
the illuminated interior of the building glows from within
while its physical structure seems to dissipate
The rooms open up; the glazed gable ends turn into display cases that shine across the Vitra Campus and into the surrounding countryside
carsten höller has erected a 30.7-metre-high structure on the vitra campus in weil am rhein
the ‘vitra slide tower’ is the result of the furniture company’s objective to envision a work with an artist that would fit into the overall plan of the site – something that would be able to distinctively stand alone amidst the powerful architecture already existing on the campus without being closed off and self-contained
led them to select carsten höller who is known for engaging the participation of his viewers through site-specific installations that alter one’s perception of the space around them
worm’s eye view of the towering structurephoto by julien lanoo
reinforcing the topographic reorientation of the vitra campus scheme
the free-standing interactive sculpture is composed of three diagonal columns that taper upwards
meeting at the top where a revolving clock is found
the timepiece measures 6-metres in diameter and is visible from a distance
its diagonal orientation makes it unclear as to whether the hour mark that is vertically located at the top indicates twelve o’clock
or rather the point that corresponds to the diagonal angle at which the columns stand
every twelve hours the hands will form the vitra logo for a few brief moments
but not facilitating a practical reading of it
view of the ‘vitra slide tower’ in the context of the vitra campus in weil am rheinphoto by julien lanoo
the ‘vitra slide tower’ is accessed via a double-flight staircase that is fitted into the slanted supports with intermediate landings interrupting its path
an observation deck is offered for visitors to pause at and take in the surrounding landscape
this platform also stands as the starting point for a 38-metre-long corkscrew tube slide
inviting an alternative way to descend its verticality
full view of the structure that is ascended via a staircase
and descended through the route of a slidephoto by julien lanoo
‘a slide is a sculptural work with a pragmatic aspect
it would be a mistake to think that you have to use the slide to make sense of it
looking at the work from the outside is a different but equally valid experience
just as one might contemplate the endless column by constantin brancusi from 1938
from an architectural and practical perspective
the slides are one of the building’s means of transporting people
safely and elegantly to their destinations
they’re inexpensive to construct and energy-efficient
they’re also a device for experiencing an emotional state that is a unique condition somewhere between delight and madness
it was described in the fifties by the french writer roger caillois as ‘a kind of voluptuous panic upon an otherwise lucid mind’.’ – carsten höller
views of the 38-meter-long corkscrew slide which visitors use to descend the towerphotos by attilio maranzano
a 6-metre diameter clock sits at the top of the three supporting columnsphoto by attilio maranzano
the clock and upper deck are illuminated by nightphotos by attilio maranzano
AXOR presents three bathroom concepts that are not merely places of function
but destinations in themselves — sanctuaries of style
By RICCARDO BIANCHINI
The Vitra Design Museum is an exhibition center dedicated to industrial design and architecture
It is located in Germany but at a very short distance from the Swiss city of Basel
is housed in a building designed by the Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry and is part of the Vitra Campus
a noteworthy ensemble of buildings and architectural structures conceived by some of the most important international architects
Some buildings can be visited through guided tours
Photos: cover by Patrick Collins; 1 Riccardo Bianchini
The Vitra Campus is not simply a corporate museum but actually a unique collection of contemporary architecture
The Vitra Schaudepot is a new exhibition venue
conceived by Herzog & de Meuron in the famous Vitra Campus near Basel
copyright Inexhibit 2025 - ISSN: 2283-5474
The head of a mosque in southern Germany attacked with Molotov cocktails on Thursday night has told Anadolu Agency his community has lived for years in peace beside their neighbors
the head of the Eyup Sultan mosque association in the town of Weil am Rhein
said unknown assailants threw at least four devices at the building
The latest attack has taken place amid a surge in anti-Muslim sentiment in Germany
Thursday’s attempted arson was the third attack targeting mosques belonging to the Turkish-Muslim community in Germany over the last two weeks
Coskun said members of the community were worried about growing anti-Turkish and anti-Muslim feeling
“For many years we lived together peacefully; we have never done harm to anyone
always remained neutral,” he told Anadolu Agency
“We hope that the perpetrators will be swiftly arrested and brought to justice,” Coskun added
The mosque’s security cameras captured images of a group of five people throwing devices at the building
Police have appealed to the public for help in identifying the suspects.
unknown assailants vandalized mosques in Freiburg and Leipzig
spray-painting Nazi symbols and anti-Turkish slogans on their walls
It was not immediately clear whether these three attacks were coordinated
They came after a heated public debate in Germany about Turkey’s April 16 constitutional referendum and the political choices of the three-million-strong Turkish community living in the country
Many supported Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s proposal for a presidential system
Among the 700,000 Turkish expats who casted their ballots in Germany
63 percent voted in favor of a presidential system in Turkey
German politicians who backed the No campaign argued that support for Erdogan among Turkish expats was a sign that they were not well-integrated
and were not sensitive to issues of democracy and freedoms
Several far-right politicians even called on Turks who backed the Yes campaign to leave Europe and return to Turkey
Turkish community leaders sharply criticized such calls and warned against growing racism in Germany
which received more than 1.1 million refugees mostly from Syria and Iraq
has witnessed growing anti-migrant sentiments in recent years
triggered by the propaganda of far-right parties
The Umbrella House by Kazuo Shinohara is installed at the Vitra Campus in Weil am Rhein
is the smallest and one of the last remaining residences from the first of Shinohara’s four self-titled ‘styles'.
Its arrival in Germany is the result of a rescue mission that began when the Japanese architectural firm SANAA contacted Vitra
It had been informed by the Japanese organisation Heritage Houses Trust that the house was at risk of being demolished to make way for a new road
Recognising the building’s significance – Shinohara is considered one of the most important Japanese architects from the latter half of the 20th century
but is still little known internationally – Vitra worked with the Tokyo Institute of Technology to dismantle
where it will serve as a venue for small gatherings
Surrounded by a circle of gravel and approached via a single paved pathway
the single-storey house stands serenely on a square platform raised off the ground and topped by a pyramid-shaped roof – Shinohara was the first to transfer elements like this
Its small but perfectly formed 55 sq m footprint accommodates a kitchen and dining table
a bathroom and a traditional tatami room with 15 half-size tatami mats
which provide living and sleeping quarters for a small family.
the visible umbrella structure of the roof makes clear the house’s namesake
It spans the interior volume at 4m in height and is intended to make the small floor area appear larger.
Shinohara intentionally chose simple and inexpensive materials such as Japanese cypress
Oregon cedar and cement fibre boards for the house's post-and-beam construction
and it was erected by craftsmen without heavy machinery
This made the relocation process much simpler
as even the largest wooden element was less than 5m long
so it could be easily loaded into a sea container and shipped economically
Despite not being known to a wide audience
Kazuo Shinohara has influenced many contemporary Japanese architects
who have also built on the Vitra Campus. ‘It can make sense to move a building if its construction easily allows this
it must fit into the context of the new location,' said Rolf Fehlbaum
‘The Umbrella House meets both criteria: it is relatively simple to relocate and it connects with the strong Japanese presence – Tadao Ando
SANAA and soon Tsuyoshi Tane – on the Vitra Campus.'
vitra.com
Ali Morris is a UK-based editor, writer and creative consultant specialising in design, interiors and architecture. In her 16 years as a design writer, Ali has travelled the world, crafting articles about creative projects, products, places and people for titles such as Dezeen, Wallpaper* and Kinfolk.
Hidden under a sawtooth factory building, the Vitra Design Museum collection, ranked among the most important holdings of furniture design worldwide, has never been on permanent display to the public. The Schaudepot has the appearance of an industrial building or warehouse with the complex requirements of a walk-in museum repository, and it will now exhibit more than 400 key pieces of modern furniture design.
Located in the southwest corner of the Vitra Campus, the building is a second entry point that offers a new facade to the street and improves its connection with Weil am Rhein and Basel.
At the opposite end is VitraHaus – built by Herzog & de Meuron in 2009 – and the main street is dotted with architectural landmarks built over the last decades by Zaha Hadid, SANAA, Tadao Ando, Álvaro Siza and Renzo Piano among other architects. However, the new building was not conceived as another architectural statement, but as a functional piece seamlessly blended with its industrial context and consistent with the depot context.
Client Representative: Rolf Fehlbaum, Chairman Emeritus and active Member of the Board of
Partners: Jacques Herzog, Pierre de Meuron, Andreas Fries (Partner in Charge).
Project Team: Martin Krapp (Project Director), Florian Stroh (Project Manager).
James Bailey, Maximilian Kimmel, Eduardo Salgado Mordt, Magdalena Stadler.
Architect Planning: Herzog & de Meuron; Executive Architect: Mayer Baehrle freie Architekten BDA; Electrical Engineering: Klaus Schepperle VDE; HVAC Engineering: Ingenieurbüro Behringer; Structural Engineering: Ingenieurbüro Autenrieth.
Acoustics, Building Physics: Horstmann und Berger; Civil Engineering: Ingenieur Büro Bölk GmbH; Facade Engineering: Franz Revermann Sichtmauerwerk EK; Geometrician: Vermessungsbüro Frey; Lighting Consultant: Ansorg; Security Consultant: Siemens AG; Fire Protection: IBB Grefrath; Geological Survey: GeoIngenieure; Security Doors: Sommer-Hof GmbH.
Herzog & de Meuron; Ruedi Walti; Christian Flierl; Vitra Design Museum
Text description provided by the architects. As an addition to the Making Africa exhibition at the Vitra Design Museum, Kéré Architecture’s design for a Camper Pop-up store pioneers a new form of retail shopping. By combining the best attributes from in-store and online shopping, the project aims to create a fully-functioning shop with an embedded atmosphere of virtual, sensory, and communal interfaces.
Located inside the iconic Buckminster Fuller geodesic dome on the Vitra Campus, the interior retail space is shaped by an interactive boundary. Conceived as an interactive wall system made of lightweight composite timber panels, the architecture supports all functions of the store including product display and showroom, stock storage, welcome desk, transaction counter, fitting area and customer lounge.
Cortesía de Kéré ArchitectureThe handcrafted aesthetic of Camper is highlighted by using materials and processes that are indicative of shoe fabrication such as braided cord and laminated wood.
Cortesía de Kéré ArchitectureAdditional elements such as an in-house fabrication workshop produce a fun and exciting atmosphere within a highly-sophisticated consumer experience
The Paris-based Japanese architect Tsuyoshi Tane – founder of the architecture firm ATTA – was commissioned to build this cabin
raised on a stone base with a timber structure enclosed with thatch
a material chosen for its insulating properties
It is the latest addition to the furniture brand Vitra’s campus in Weil am Rhein
a German town close to the Swiss city of Basel
There it has joined buildings by Tadao Ando
The compact 15-square-meter garden house takes in 8 people and is designed for gardeners on the campus to relax in
Visitors can go up to the roof deck by climbing an exterior wooden staircase with a banister woven with rope
the design references primitive Swiss houses
Shaped as a square with the corners cut off
the volume was raised with natural materials assembled by local craftsmen
In developing the design Tane’s team constructed hundreds of small models with moss
The miniature huts and caves were shown in an exhibition at the Vitra Design Museum in the autumn of 2023
Dibujos DrawingsAtelier Tsuyoshi Tane Architects
Fotografía PhotographsJulien Lanoo (courtesy of ATTA and Vitra)
the structure provides the institution with a venue for publicly presenting key objects from its extensive collection
the addition of the building opens up a second entry point to the campus to the south
enhancing connections to the neighboring urban centers of basel and weil am rhein
the project also creates a new public space that incorporates zaha hadid’s fire station
the building is fronted by a public forecourt that connects the building with the rest of the campus image © vitra design museum | main image © VITRA design museum, julien lanoo
public forecourt that connects the building with the remainder of the campus
its design contrasts with the dynamic contours of hadid’s fire station while corresponding to the brick factory buildings completed by álvaro siza in 1992
the new structure presents itself as a monolithic volume constructed from hand-broken bricks
characterized by a completely windowless façade and a simple gable roof
this simple and dignified appearance is intended to reflect the cultural worth of the objects it stores within
the building offers ideal conservational conditions for the preservation of the collection’s valuable pieces
the schaudepot neighbors zaha hadid’s fire station
completed in 1993 image © VITRA design museum
the building is modest in comparison to the array of architecture also on site
the original plan was to locate the new storeroom below ground as a spatial extension to the existing storage basement below the 1960’s sawtooth factory
in particular in the wake of the financial crisis
VITRA’s founder rolf fehlbaum opted for a subtle architectural statement instead of an extravagant eye-catcher
the architects convinced fehlbaum for an above-ground facility that would in result
the masonry itself assumes a storage and presentation function of sorts – as a stacked ‘display’ of broken bricks
each visible and distinctive due to the unique fracture pattern
‘the VITRA campus is characterized by its architectural diversity
which reflects rolf fehlbaun’s insatiable curiosity and love for contemporary architecture and design
we have been able to contricute two buildings
which bears practically no traces of its makers
it was in fact originally planned as an underground warehouse
without any form of architectural expression
we finally opted for an archetipical architecture that reveals little of its origins: its period or the architects behind it.’ – jacques herzog and pierre de meuron
the main hall is defined by a regular gridded arrangement of fluorescent tubes on the ceiling
this large volume houses the permanent exhibition
as well as temporary displays related to the collection
the presentation is divided into three areas with a total of around 1,600 square meters
the ground floor contains the main hall where the extensive permanent exhibition is structured chronologically
the central focus is a selection of more than 400 key pieces of furniture design
with rare works included alongside lesser-known or anonymous objects
detailed information on the objects is communicated in a digital catalogue accessible via smartphone or tablets
the main hall is defined by a gridded arrangement of fluorescent tubes on the ceiling image © vitra design museum
links the building to the restoration workshop
and the offices of the vitra design museum
a large window connects the main hall to the lower ground floor
where visitors are able to see the other parts of the collection
these existing repositories remain in operation
becoming part of the museum’s overall presentation
VITRA’s collection ranks among the most important holdings of furniture design worldwide image © vitra design museum
VITRA’s collection ranks among the most important holdings of furniture design worldwide
it contains around 7,000 pieces of furniture
more than 1,000 lighting objects and numerous archives
as well as the estates of such designers as charles & ray eames
although the main museum building by frank gehry from 1989 was originally conceived to house the collection
the space is primarily used to stage major exhibitions
the museum’s collection has never been on permanent display
the collection contains around 7,000 pieces of furniture
and over 1,000 lighting objects image © vitra design museum
the centerpiece of herzog & de meuron’s design is a permanent exhibition of more than 400 key pieces of modern furniture design
the objects shown include early bentwood furniture
icons of classical modernism by le corbusier
along with colorful plastic objects from the pop era
and recent designs produced with a 3D printer
this presentation is complemented by smaller temporary exhibitions on themes related to the collection
beginning with a look at the ‘radical design’ movement of the 1960s
the building offers insights into additional focal points of the collection
the presentation is divided into three areas with a total of around 1,600 square meters image © vitra design museum
radical design: 04.06 – 17.11.2016 image © designboom
the first temporary exhibition held inside the schaudepot is dedicated to radical design – an italian movement that reached its peak at the end of 1960s and the beginning of 1970s. recognized as one of the most important avant-garde movements, their unconventional design vocabulary, manifestos and utopian ideas protested against functionalism and the established taste in design and architecture. in collaboration with gufram
studio65 used the material polyurethane foam and latex rubber coating in their pieces and thus
achieved a break-through in design freedom
with the opening of the ‘schaudepot’
the vitra design museum is expanding both its exhibition space and its program
frank gehry’s museum building will continue to be used for the large-scale temporary exhibitions
while the vitra design museum gallery shows smaller
the ‘schaudepot’ displays the permanent exhibition as well as one temporary exhibition
forming one of the world’s largest permanent exhibitions and research facilities on modern furniture design
see designboom’s previous coverage of the project here
visitors are able to see other parts of the collection image © vitra design museum
existing repositories remain in operation
becoming part of the museum’s overall presentation image © vitra design museum
the structure provides a venue for presenting a selection of key objects image © vitra design museum, florian böhm
the museum’s collection has never been on permanent display image © vitra design museum
a further section links the building to the offices of the vitra design museum image © vitra design museum, daniele ansidei
work stations within the offices of the vitra design museum image © vitra design museum
janna lipsky project management: marc zehntner head of collection: susanne graner curators of collection: serge mauduit
heng zhi content coordination: jolanthe kugler graphics: onlab
berlin total floor space of schaudepot: approx 1,600 sqm objects in permanent exhibition: approx
410 exhibitions per year: 1 permanent exhibition
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With the exhibition »Victor Papanek: The Politics of Design«
running from 29 September 2018 to 10 March 2019
the Vitra Design Museum will present the first large retrospective focussing on the designer
Papanek was one of the twentieth century’s most influential pioneers of a socially and ecologically oriented approach to design beginning in the 1960s
remains the most widely read book about design ever published
and sustainability – themes of greater relevance for today’s design than ever before
The exhibition includes high-value exhibits such as drawings
some of which have never before been presented
These are complemented by works of Papanek’s contemporaries from the 1960s to 1980s
or the radical design initiative »Global Tools«
Contemporary works from the areas of critical and social design provide insight into Papanek’s lasting impact
Papanek escaped to the United States in 1939
After pursuing a career as an industrial designer
during the 1960s he developed a critique of consumerism that would make him well known around the world
This position is also reflected in his designs
which he often developed together with his students or collaborators
including televisions and radios for African countries
an object designed to stimulate the sense of touch (1965–1970)
user-assembled furniture that could be modified to meet different needs
is to be found in his work as an author and arbiter of a new and critical understanding of design
He lectured in universities around the world
and tirelessly promoted a wider social debate about design
beginning in 1961 he moderated a television series about design that was broadcast throughout the USA
which has been translated into over twenty languages
additional books such as »How Things Don’t Work« (1977) or »Design for Human Scale« (1983) cemented his reputation as a pioneer of alternative design
In them he used pointed language and humour to criticize a blind belief in consumerism and adapt the ideas of the generation of 1968 to address practical issues of everyday life for a great number of people
»Victor Papanek: The Politics of Design« is organized into four sections offering an in-depth look at Papanek’s life and work
The exhibition begins with an introductory
large-format media installation presenting the designer’s ideas in a contemporary context and follows with a biographical overview tracing Papanek’s life from his escape from Europe to his international success
organizers were able to draw upon materials of the Papanek estate held by the Papanek Foundation at the University of Applied Arts Vienna
which includes a number of documents that have never been exhibited
pieces from Papanek’s collection of ethnological objects
as well as over thousands slides that the designer used for his lectures
Two other sections focus on the main themes of Papanek’s work
including his fundamental criticism of consumerism and his engagement with social minorities
his commitment to the needs of what was then known as the »Third World«
and »making« culture – creation and production using one’s own resources – which had its origins in the 1960s do-it-yourself movement
Visitors can also view a wealth of designs by Papanek
including those by the Danish designer Susanne Koefoed
who as a student of Papanek developed the first International Symbol of Access in 1968
The exhibition is supplemented with around twenty carefully selected contemporary works that transport Papanek’s ideas into the twenty-first century by designers including Catherine Sarah Young
or the Brazilian collective Flui Coletivo and Questtonó
deal with complex themes such as global climate change
meaning they reflect the continuing resonance of the questions Papanek was already addressing in the 1960s
and male-dominated world to which Papanek was bound despite all his efforts to the contrary
»Victor Papanek: The Politics of Design« is thus both a retrospective as well as a themed exhibition
namely the significance of design as a political tool
what was revolutionary for Papanek’s time is now generally accepted: design is not only about giving form to something; it is a tool for political transformation that must consider social and ethical points of view
This is reflected by the fact that today’s debates over themes such as social design and design thinking draw upon Papanek’s ideas as a matter of course
The exhibition seeks to rediscover Papanek as a pioneer of these debates – and as one of design’s greatest forward thinkers – for the twenty-first century
it examines how Papanek’s socially engaged design is changing our world today – as well as how it can make the world a better one
As featured in the August 2021 issue of Wallpaper*
Piet Oudolf’s garden for the Vitra Campus in Weil am Rhein
photographed in May 2021 just as it began to bloom
Oudolf’s limited-edition cover artwork for Wallpaper’s August 2021 issue
Wallpaper* offers a leading creative figure carte blanche to design a limited-edition cover
landscape designer Piet Oudolf sketched a planting plan for Oudolf Garten
newly installed at Vitra HQ in Weil am Rhein
It’s easy to recognise the work of renowned Dutch garden designer Piet Oudolf
He favours herbaceous rather than woody plants
allowing them to ebb and flow across a continuous landscape without imposing a linear structure
not optimised for a particular vantage point but instead dazzling from many angles
And rather than digging up wilted plants and replacing them with fresh ones
Oudolf selects species that have a sculptural quality beyond their flowering season
Piet Oudolf’s Vitra garden opens in Weil am Rhein
A further behind-the-scenes element comes in the form of our August issue’s limited-edition cover
which shows a planting plan sketched by Oudolf
with organically shaped flower beds shaded in different colours
and the names of some species crossed out and replaced as Oudolf finessed his design
evocative glimpse into the inner workings of a fertile mind.
Piet Oudolf’s cover is the latest addition to the Wallpaper* limited-edition cover series, which features a specially created artwork by a different artist, architect or designer each issue. Limited-edition covers are available to subscribers only; for more information, see wallpaper.com/sub21
TF Chan is a former editor of Wallpaper* (2020-23)
where he was responsible for the monthly print magazine
editing and writing long-lead content across all pillars
He also played a leading role in multi-channel editorial franchises
such as Wallpaper’s annual Design Awards
Guest Editor takeovers and Next Generation series
visually-driven content while championing diversity
international representation and social impact
TF joined Wallpaper* as an intern in January 2013
and served as its commissioning editor from 2017-20
winning a 30 under 30 New Talent Award from the Professional Publishers’ Association
he holds an undergraduate degree in history from Princeton University
From hand axe to multipack carrier: selection of objects from the exhibition’s prologue
— “The Essence of Things: Design and the Art of Reduction,” on view through September 11 at the New Orleans Museum of Art
brings together approximately 150 objects from 100 years of design history
ranging from humble items like flip-flops and rubber bands to high-concept living pods
graphic design and architecture are represented in this exhibition
which includes work by well-known historic and contemporary designers such as Gerrit Rietveld
“NOMA is delighted to be working in partnership with the internationally-renowned Vitra Design Museum to bring this exciting
thoughtful exhibition to New Orleans as one of only two venues in the United States,” says Susan Taylor
the museum’s Montine McDaniel Freeman director
“This is NOMA’s first presentation of an exhibition dedicated to Twentieth Century and contemporary design
It vividly demonstrates today’s interconnected world of visual arts
“Essence of Things” explores how many designers embrace minimalism as a way to achieve both function and elegant aesthetics
an article of clothing or the newest smartphone
These designers operate under the idea that “good design” is when nothing can be added but also nothing can be taken away
This principle of simplicity has increasingly guided the international field of industrial design for more than a century
“Essence of Things” explores these many facets of minimalism and demonstrates the disparate ways designers have sought to approach “the essential” in an object
Introducing this exhibition is a prologue gallery featuring a surprising selection of 50 everyday objects that show a minimalist approach as the solution to a successful design
The gallery considers diverse objects including a prehistoric stone hand axe
“I love how this exhibition will encourage you to think about familiar objects in a new way,” says Mel Buchanan
NOMA’s RosaMary curator of decorative arts and design
“Something as deceptively simple as a golf ball
a Lego block or a fiberglass Eames chair is the result of a designer’s experimentation and calculation with both science and art.”
The exhibition follows four large themes of “Manufacture,” “Function,” “Aesthetics” and “Ethics,” with each large idea shown through a variety of well-known designs and products
Icons like Nineteenth Century bentwood Thonet chairs and a clear plastic chair by French design superstar Philippe Starck are complemented with photo and video projections showing examples from related fields — graphic design
accompanied by a catalog published by Vitra Design Museum Publications
was organized by the Vitra Design Museum in Germany
The New Orleans Museum of Art is a 1 Collins C., Diboll Circle, City Park. For further information, www.noma.org or 504-658-4100
A Grand Reopening — The Frick Collection
‘Banners of Liberty’ Revolutionary War Flags Gather At Museum Of The American Revolution
Turner Exhibition Reopens Yale’s Center For British Art
2014Herzog & de Meuron’s VitraHaus (2010).Save this storySaveSave this storySaveArt Basel (June 19–22) and Design Basel (June 17–22) may be stealing the limelight this week
but just across the border lies one of the world’s greatest architectural assemblages
in the German (bring your passport) town of Weil am Rhein
a free shuttle will take you there in 20 minutes from the design-show fairgrounds
The Vitra Campus is a treasure trove of buildings and grounds designed by leading architects
It was created after a 1981 fire destroyed the furniture manufacturer’s original facilities
including several Pritzker Prize and Royal Institute of British Architects Award winners
Fehlbaum was the first to give European commissions to Frank Gehry and Tadao Ando
The campus also includes impressive works by Zaha Hadid
as well as vintage items like a gas station by Jean Prouvé and an early Airstream camper
Vitra is also the proud producer of furniture and objects by such masters of design as the Bouroullec brothers
The latest to join the Vitra family is the highly esteemed company Artek
which was cofounded by Finnish master Alvar Aaalto
Click here to tour the Vitra Campus.
trapezoidal marquee hoisted on spindly pilot is points the way towards the primary pedestrian entrance on the long eastern front
Scarcely a handful of architects ever attain sufficient fame as to graduate to the Mies-level status of a mononym
their surname all but falling out of use in professional circles
the list more or less stops at three: Frank
perhaps only the third cognomen has become so familiar that
most culturally-aware persons can recognise it without much prompting
Zaha Hadid’s name (or at least half of it) is still on the lips of millions in the design world and in the world at large—though significantly
the expression that those lips assume when pronouncing it
Zaha has become almost synonymous with the excesses of a certain variety of hyperactive formalism
born of the giddy digital mania and go-go globalism of the 1990s
now exhausted creatively and in low political repute
really deserves for the flaws of that mode of practice
or how much credit for its accomplishments
it seems only appropriate to start at the very beginning
with her first major completed project: the 1991 Vitra Fire Station in Weil-am-Rhine
Already known by that point (at least among the cognoscenti) as an up-and comer
Zaha had been on the scene since the 1970s
serving a long stint with fellow uninomial avant-gardist Rem Koolhaas
while also establishing her own identity through the production of a body of challenging
her oversized images fashioned out of synthetics
polymers and paper showed fragmented forms flying through space
coalescing into jagged artificial landscapes and airborne cities seen at high speed and impossible perspectives
and so far as anyone appeared to think at the time
entirely unsuited to translation into anything like built work
the second-generation hetman of Swiss design mega-brand Vitra
had already gone out on a rather daring limb in 1989 by commissioning a new museum for his company’s sprawling campus in the Black Forest just outside (though across the national border from) Basel
selecting a then-unknown Los Angeles architect who at the time had yet to shed even his middle initial: Frank O
The success of that project combined with a devastating fire in 1981 was to prompt Fehlbaum’s next architectural gambit: an onsite fire house
with a dedicated staff and firetruck ready to go at a moment’s notice
In keeping with Vitra’s reputation as a dedicated pusher of aesthetic envelopes
its president turned to the Iraqi-born artist-architect
giving Zaha her big break as an actual builder
The internal circulation is a collage-like sequence of glass enclosed passages
Punctuating the southern terminus of the Vitra compound’s central axis
the structure she produced could perhaps best be described as a concrete wall with split personality disorder
the facility reveals itself as a series of splinter-thin
with one slightly fatter volume out one side; the latter is the garage for the actual trucks meant to service the campus
trapezoidal marquee hoisted on spindly pilot is
pointing the way towards the primary pedestrian entrance on the long eastern front
goggle-eyed perspectival effect as Zaha’s paintings
the building operates on a kind of slingshot logic
the mass pulled back and downward for maximum tension
ready to release a pure bolt of firefighting power
The architect’s swirling forms find their way off the canvas and into a similarly collage-like sequence of sharp turns
with partition walls and built-ins popping into a view in a way that suggests an amped-up version of Mies’s spatial poetics
glass-enclosed circulation passages appear to bespeak a fire crew with a surprising amount of time for leisure and reflection
which includes an exercise room and bicycle storage
Not much of an arson wave in 1990s Weil-am-Rhein
The pervasive impression that the Vitra Fire Station was more Vitra than fire station has long been the stock critique of the project
One popular story had it that the exciting if perilous-looking garage door was too tightly slanted to accommodate the firetrucks—though even were this true
there was still plenty of parking space under a west-facing marquee
Whether or not the building was really suited to its nominal function
it never really served as such for very long: Weil-am-Rhein eventually built its own municipal firehouse
the foundational project of one of the world’s most famous architects has served the same purpose as so many of her other
used as an exhibition space and a site for cultural events
the smallest and oddest-shaped pearl on Vitra’s glittering string of buildings by Gehry
that the building should ultimately be considered: not as an unusually eccentric bit of functional architecture
The wave of progressively more ambitious projects created by Vitra between the late 80s and today has both reflected and helped to guide the main current of contemporary design over the same period
Zaha’s contribution shows how much she could wring from so little
using nothing but a few poured-in-place slabs and her own inscrutable thinking about the history and future of the built environment
That her thinking was strictly formal in its frame of reference does not detract from its primary appeal—that is
its almost hieratic weirdness—and it is only unfortunate that the architect was later elevated into a sort of pop priestess
dedicated to the memory of a forgotten architect whom everyone knows: to Zaha
© Built Environment and Architecture Media Ltd 2025
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