Interviews

Birgit Hoffmann and Christoph Kahleyss have expanded the Marie chair family for Freifrau. In this interview, they tell us about the new ideas they have added and how they designed the backrest to be sustainable.

The architectural office etal. has received several awards and nominations for its first new construction project, Görzer Straße 128 in Munich, including the current DAM Prize 2026. We spoke with Gesche Bengtsson, Elena Masla and Zora Syren about the social housing project constructed using timber.

The architect and designer Tobia Scarpa is a creative talent who has truly earned the honorary title of ‘Maestro.’ Shortly after completing his studies, he was already awarded the prestigious ‘Compasso d'Oro’ industrial design prize. In this interview, he tells us what defines his work.

What kind of workspaces are ideal for neurodivergent people? And how can neurotypical people benefit from them too? Savannah Willits, team leader at PLP Labs, the research and development arm of PLP Architecture, gives us an insight into her work.

Konstantin Grcic designed the "Sol" and "Sombra" lounge chairs for Plank, which feature an extraordinarily steep seat angle that allows for a comfortable and agile posture. In this interview, he gives us an insight into the creative process.

Designer Alexander von Dombois made a remarkable debut at SaloneSatellite with furniture such as the ‘Scala’ rolling stool, the “Raam” chair and the ‘Eli’ lamp. In this interview, the Cologne-based creative explains how simple principles drive his designs, why materials should be allowed to age with dignity – and why bark beetle wood deserves a second life.

Interdisciplinary artist Alex Chinneck turns urban space upside down: for his sculptures, he makes building facades slide, ties street lamps in knots and stands electricity pylons on their tips. He gives us an insight into his creative cosmos in this interview.

Philipp von Dalwig runs the architecture firm vonDALWIG Architecture in New York with his partner Kit, alongside a branch office in Mainz. In this interview, the German-born architect explains the firm's unique philosophy, typical areas of work and what makes the Big Apple so magical for architects.

Cleaf recently celebrated its 50th anniversary with impressive installations, created by Calvi Brambilla & Partners. In this interview, the creative minds behind the project join managing director Roberto Caspani to give us an insight into their multifaceted collaboration and the new designs ‘Matrice’ and ‘Nebulosa’.

For over 25 years, de Winder Architekten has been designing sustainable working environments that combine privacy and interaction, flexibility and identity. We met Claudia and Klaus de Winder as well as their CSO Sascha Nikolauschke in Berlin to talk about change as a design principle and spaces that grow with you.

What happens when two pioneers in the lighting industry are invite to a joint interview to discuss dynamic lighting in urban spaces? Ulrike Brandi and Prof. Dr. Thomas Römhild in conversation.

Sitting outside ­– a delight for which Pedrali offers the ideal furnishings: Thanks to the elegant designs and a wide range of colours, the outdoor space becomes the centre of life. A look at the projects for hotels, restaurants and private homes shows just how diverse this can be.

Architect Susanne Brorson lives and works on the Baltic Sea island of Rügen. In the interview, she tells us how she researches traditional building methods and experiments with renewable raw materials in order to establish local and sustainable architecture.

With projects ranging from clubs to cultural buildings to industrial facilities, Johan Olsson and Andreas Lyckefors show how architecture can create spaces that are both precise and poetic. A conversation about responsibility, materiality and the power of context.

What shapes our perception of design? How are objects staged? These are the questions explored in the exhibition ‘Hello Image – The Staging of Things’ at the Museum für Kunst & Gewerbe Hamburg. The curators Esther Ruelfs and Viktoria Lea Heinrich explain the concept in an interview.

Caroline Hyde Brown is a British textile artist and designer whose work focuses on exploring traditional craft techniques and natural materials. In this interview, she gives us an insight into her research.

The architectural firm Johnston Marklee has designed a sofa for Knoll: with gentle curves and an unusual volume, “Biboni” is a comfortable statement. Mark Lee gives us an insight into the creative process in an interview.

The international architecture firm mirror. by Sebastian Schützdeller is trying to rethink the way architecture is created today – from the constellations of collaboration to the places where it takes place. His work revolves around architecture that reflects the client rather than the supposed heroism of the architect.

How can cities be designed for the future? Interview: Dr.-Ing. Steffen Braun, Deputy Director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Engineering IAO and co-founder of the Fraunhofer Morgenstadt initiative.

Zaven Design created the "Koala" seating furniture for S-CAB, two variations on a basic idea that gently envelop the body and offer maximum comfort. Enrica Cavarzan and Marco Zavagno tell us why they value contrast in their work.

Robert Wilson is an icon of theater directing and has created unique scenes using light. We met him in Milan to talk about his installation “Mother” and constructs, built from time and space.

Carlo Ratti is the curator of the 19th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia. The architect from Turin has given the international exhibition in the lagoon city the theme and title ‘Intelligens. Natural. Artificial. Collective.’ and attracted over 750 participants for the show. In this interview, he tells us what guests can expect.

B.A.S. Architekten work at the intersection of architecture and urban planning. A core theme of their projects is the renovation of historic buildings. In this interview, Dorothee Stürmer and Peter Begon explain what is important in this context and why the journey is the destination when it comes to transforming buildings and their surroundings.

Yusuke Kawai has designed the ‘Kawara’ lighting collection made of extruded aluminium for Pedrali. In this interview, he tells us what traditional roof tiles have in common with his collection and why he appreciates the experiment.

Yves Béhar has rethought the washbasin for Laufen with ‘Volta’. In this interview, he tells us how he translated the dynamics of water into sapphire ceramic and why the world's first CO2-free electric tunnel oven influenced his design.

The internationally renowned fashion designer Jil Sander has reinterpreted Marcel Breuer's ‘S 64’ cantilever chair for Thonet. ‘Serious’ and “Nordic” are the names of the design lines with which she has given the tubular steel classic from the 1920s a new sensuality. In this interview, she tells us what was important in the process.

The kinetic installation ‘Library of Light’ by Es Devlin is a Salone project with the Pinacoteca di Brera and the publishing house Feltrinelli: a rotating sculpture consisting of illuminated shelves containing over 2,000 books. The scenery is accompanied by the writings of pioneering academics and classical music. The artist and set designer gives us an insight into her work.

The Spore Haus receives the DAM Preis 2025. With floor-to-ceiling windows, the cultural and educational centre opens up to the busy street and red bricks define the façade of the new building by AFF Architekten. A peaceful garden stretches out behind the building. Sven Fröhlich and Ulrike Dix explain the concept.

How can AI applications be energy-efficiently optimised, for example for digitalised processes in the construction industry? Dr. Mario Chemnitz explains his current research and points out the role that light fulfils in the process.

With their project "Off the Grid", designers Eva Benamou and Antonia Gauss have developed a textile dyeing system with a pen plotter that bridges the gap between craft and industry. They explain the concept, which is inspired by traditional silk painting, in an interview.

Aitor Ortiz is dedicated to the built world. His photography deals with architecture in the broadest sense: He is interested in details, structures, materials and angles. You will search in vain for the dissolving long shot in his pictures. In this interview, he tells us why this is the case.

Ecology researchers with a strong focus on aesthetics: the French architecture and design studio ciguë, based in Montreuil near Paris, is one of the best in France. Its portfolio includes showrooms, shops and hotels worldwide. Alphonse Sarthout and his team create an unconventional and scientifically sound appearance for major brands such as Aesop and Isabel Marant.

The "Nolita" collection by Pedrali has been evoking summer feelings and colourful moments with ease and elegance for ten years: the subtle tubular steel chair is a timeless design icon. A conversation with its creators at CMP Design about stable connections, essential sustainability, magical teamwork and, of course, summer.

Katja Thoring is Professor of Integrated Product Design in Munich. She teaches and researches at the interface of product, space, architecture and technology. In this interview, she explains her interdisciplinary approach and how creative working environments can be designed with the needs of the user in mind.