Renowned design studios remodel Berlin's Am Tacheles interiors, drawing inspiration from Herzog & de Meuron's architecture.
In the heart of Berlin, the historic Am Tacheles urban residence has been given a new lease of life with the unveiling of the "Rooms of Am Tacheles 'Vignettes'" project. This contemporary interior design concept, curated around unique and innovative design principles, has breathed new life into this iconic location.
Creative director Garth Roberts spearheaded the project, which emphasizes brutalism, sustainability, and minimalism. The aim is to explore the diverse aesthetic and emotional potential of domestic life, shaped by the iconic architecture of these living spaces.
Three design studios, Fernando Laposse from Mexico City, Lotto Studio from Berlin, and Studioutte from Milan, have taken up residency in the Am Tacheles building. Each studio has drawn on one aspect of the development to interpret through their work.
Fernando Laposse's interior interpretation dives into the topics of sustainability, culture, and the origins behind materials. His work in the project reflects the strong, raw concrete aesthetic typical of brutalist design, while also focusing on eco-friendly, durable materials and efficient design solutions.
Studioutte referenced brutalism in their interpretation, using dramatic black curtains that cascaded over three metres to soften the expansive room heights and exposed concrete of the Herzog & de Meuron building. Their minimalist approach emphasizes simplicity, clean lines, and functional elegance without unnecessary ornamentation.
Lotto Studio, on the other hand, took a minimalist approach in Grüntuch Ernst Architects' building. They created custom aluminium furniture that crafts an indoor-outdoor narrative, matching the building's floor-to-ceiling window frames.
The "Rooms of Am Tacheles 'Vignettes'" project showcases intricate and unusual contemporary design. It features 'vignettes' rather than fully furnished interiors, with an emphasis on using unusual materials and forms to create a visually tactile experience.
The Am Tacheles development, after its redevelopment, has been transformed into a multi-purpose hub for offices, high-end apartments, retail stores, and a photography museum. The building, designed by Brandlhuber+Muck Petzet, caught Fernando Laposse's eye due to its playfully pink nature. Originally, Tacheles was Berlin's biggest squat and a countercultural hub in the 1990s.
The project is part of a broader resurgence of interest in brutalist architecture and adaptive reuse in design, which aligns with current trends of sustainability and minimalistic aesthetics in contemporary interior design. It represents a curated fusion of art, architecture, and design culture rooted in Berlin’s vibrant creative scene.
For more information, you can visit the websites of the respective design studios: garthglobal.com, fernandolaposse.com, lotto.studio, and studioutte.com. Garth Roberts was tasked with designing the interior spaces of the Am Tacheles development, combining elegance with practicality while respecting architectural integrity. The project's aim is to present creative interiors and inspire its audience.
[1] Garth Roberts, Fernando Laposse, Lotto Studio, and Studioutte. (2022). Rooms of Am Tacheles 'Vignettes'. [online] Available at: https://www.garthglobal.com/projects/rooms-of-am-tacheles-vignettes
[2] Berlin Art Link. (2022). Rooms of Am Tacheles 'Vignettes'. [online] Available at: https://berlinartlink.com/en/art-news/rooms-of-am-tacheles-vignettes
- The "Rooms of Am Tacheles 'Vignettes'" project, spearheaded by Garth Roberts, explores the intersection of contemporary interior design and lifestyle, transforming the historic Am Tacheles urban residence into a showcase for intricate and unusual design that emphasizes sustainability, minimalism, and brutalism.
- Each designer involved in the "Rooms of Am Tacheles 'Vignettes'" project - Garth Roberts, Fernando Laposse, Lotto Studio, and Studioutte - has drawn inspiration from the unique architectural features of the building to create interiors that engage with the home-and-garden aesthetic, with a focus on sustainability, innovation, and the emotional potential of domestic spaces.
