Sebastian Herkner's 'Das Haus' at IMM Cologne

IMM Cologne’s guest of honour Sebastian Herkner has designed this year ’Das Haus’, an annual installation at the fair

(Image credit: Sebastian Herkner)

last updated 10 October 2022

Visitors to IMM Cologne this year are invited to experience futuristic living, via the annual ‘Das Haus’ installation. Each year, organisers Koelnmesse invites an upcoming designer to recreate their vision of a home in a 240 sq m area of the exhibition halls. Now in its fifth edition, ‘Das Haus’ has been placed in the hands of German designer Sebastian Herkner, who has imagined a labyrinth-style circular structure, accessible from all sides.

‘Das Haus’ has had a number of eclectic renovations over the years, including the organically multicultural space realised by duo Doshi Levien in 2012 and Neri & Hu’s wooden walkway abode from last year. For the 2016 version, Herkner has focused on softer architecture. Constructed with textiles, his rounded maze structure is devoid of conventional solid walls or straight lines, instead comprising an enveloping space that Herker describes as ‘a (nearly) endless house’.

The space can be walked through as if a gallery; the ‘endless house’ is draped with mobile Nya Nordiska curtains and laden with Dinesen GrandDouglas flooring, structuring the different rooms. All areas meet in the middle, an alfresco-inspired area filled with foliage and a bespoke abstract Caesarstone wall as the backdrop. This, together with the slight transparency of the ‘walls’, creates an open-ended, 'new home' concept that feels almost portable.

The pad also channels Herker's boldly imaginative and colourful spirit in its dynamic styling, offering a flurry of modern designs; from Patricia Urquiola’s tubular steel bathtub for Agape, to Herkner’s own new pieces. Highlights include a framed bed design with integrated bedside tables for Schramm and playfully large, globe-shaped lighting for Polpo.

Herker's 'Das Haus' is a wholly conceptual showcase that doesn't totally fit the 'house' brief, but certainly brings a fresh spin to free living: 'There are no boundaries, no barriers, no corners on which one can bump into or hide behind,' he clarifies. Here's hoping for a proliferation of Herkner's mobile homes in the near future.

The German designer has realised a circular, maze-like concept in a 240 sq m area of the halls

The open structure – described as ‘a (nearly) endless house’ by Herkner – affords an enveloping visitor experience, as if walking around a gallery

Mobile Nya Nordiska curtains and layers of Dinesen GrandDouglas flooring structure the space

The pad channels Herker's boldly imaginative and colourful spirit in its dynamic styling. Pictured: Herkner's newly designed 'Calm' bed for Schramm, which includes integrated bedside tables

The circular format of the space congregates at this central 'outdoor' area, filled with Herkner's new designs for Dedon and Polpo, and a bespoke Caesarstone quartz wall

Modern pieces from other designers are also prevalent. Pictured: a Patricia Urquiola bathtub for Agape

Herkner wished for a free living space: 'There are no boundaries, no barriers, no corners on which one can bump into or hide behind,' he explains

INFORMATION

Sebastian Herkner’s ’Das Haus’ is on view at IMM Cologne till 24 January. For more information, visit IMM Cologne’s website

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Sujata Burman is a writer and editor based in London, specialising in design and culture. She was Digital Design Editor at Wallpaper* before moving to her current role of Head of Content at London Design Festival and London Design Biennale where she is expanding the content offering of the showcases. Over the past decade, Sujata has written for global design and culture publications, and has been a speaker, moderator and judge for institutions and brands including RIBA, D&AD, Design Museum and Design Miami/. In 2019, she co-authored her first book, An Opinionated Guide to London Architecture, published by Hoxton Mini Press, which was driven by her aim to make the fields of design and architecture accessible to wider audiences.

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