sebastian herkner reveals his das haus scheme for imm cologne 2016

sebastian herkner reveals his das haus scheme for imm cologne 2016
image courtesy of constantin meyer

UPDATE: january 19, 2016

designboom visited the 2016 imm cologne fair and witnessed the das haus pavilion by sebastian herkner. the article and gallery have been updated with the revealed interior design which features textiles from manufacturers such as caesarstone and nya nordiska.

the entrance to the das haus exhibition
image courtesy of constantin meyer

sebastian herkner chose high-quality quartz panels from caesarstone
image courtesy of constantin meyer

photo by lutz sternstein, courtesy of imm cologne

since 2012, the imm cologne fair has been featuring the ‘das haus – interiors on stage project’ — a special program which invites a young designer or architect to develop a ‘domestic space’ that explores the possibilities of interior design in a completely uninhibited way. following previous installations by doshi levien (UK), luca nichetto (italy), louise campbell (denmark), neri & hu (china), the fifth edition sees homegrown german talent taking to the spotlight. based in frankfurt, sebastian herkner is the 2016 guest of honor, which will see him transform hall 2.2 of the annual fair with his vision of a home living space.

aerial view of sebastian herkner’s ‘das haus’ which reveals itself as an onion-like structure
photo by lutz sternstein, courtesy of imm cologne

designboom travelled to germany to hear herkner speak about his concept for ‘das haus’, which he underlined as being an ‘open house, a house for everyone, a house that has no real walls’. a statement on modern living culture, herkner’s scheme draws on the aspirations of social change, more specifically on the ongoing global issue of refugees fleeing the war in the middle east, and making their way to europe in order to escape and find a new life amidst the turmoil they are dealing with. ‘the transparency of ‘das haus’ is an expression of the necessity of facing changes with more openness,’ he says.

the concept sees no concrete walls, but rather different transparencies of fabric dividing the internal spaces
photo by lutz sternstein, courtesy of imm cologne

not wanting to make an overtly political statement about the current refugee crisis in europe, herkner uses the topics of hospitality and openness as starting points, in which he seeks to create a dwelling that is not concretely defined by walls, but is clear and accessible for all. the unconventional round-shape of his design is reminiscent of the tent-like yurts or traditional ring architecture of rural china, except developed as a transparent structure. a series of textile curtains defines each area, layered in a way that plays with light and perspectives. some of these are fixed, but others can move to subtly transform the interior. the result is a soft, flowing architecture.

presentation of the 2016 ‘das haus’ project by sebastian herkner
image © designboom

at the centre of the plan is a courtyard garden which can be reached from all points in the home, revealing the interior from the inside out. a circumferential, narrow walkway forms the outer layer. the exterior is a decorative façade of textiles produced by german manufacturer nya nordiska, who is sponsoring the project. the house is furnished by pieces previously designed by herkner, some by other creatives, showcased alongside new products conceived specifically for this occasion, including: an outdoor collection for dedon, a room divider for rosenthal, a chair for lineloo and lighting for pulpo, each of will present a more comfortable and freer notion of living. these are set to be arranged to stand freely around the rooms like on a stage, with the bedrooms and bathroom being the only zones that break the circularity of the rest of the home, intimately styled as semi-transparent spatial cubes.

the furniture is set to be arranged within as if they are being displayed on a stage
image © designboom

‘it is important to me that ‘das haus’ is really open,’ says sebastian herkner. ‘there are no boundaries, no barriers, no corners on which one can bump into or hide behind. the result is an uncompromising round and open house in which the various levels are accessed by way of a gallery. that was the approach: a (nearly) endless house,’ he concludes.

sebastian herkner’s ‘das haus’ makes its full, life size debut during the imm cologne fair from january 18th-24th, 2016.

view of the varying partitions
image © designboom