What is the meaning of home? Here’s what designers say.
On the occasion of World Refugee Day (20 June 2021), Danish design brand Lucie Kaas asked designers from 11 international studios to explain what ‘home’ means to them
The United Nations set World Refugee Day as an annual international day to honour the displaced around the world. Every year on 20 June, the world celebrates ‘the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution’. It is a day, the UN explains, that offers an occasion to build empathy and understanding, and to recognise refugees’ resilience in rebuilding their lives.
To raise awareness this year, Danish brand Lucie Kaas asked designers from 11 international studios a simple question: what does ‘home’ mean to you? The answers came in video format, as part of a digital campaign on the company’s social platforms. The project features Norm Architects, Christian Troels, Paper Collective and Space Copenhagen from Denmark; Italian designers Arianna Lelli Mami and Chiara Di Pinto of Studiopepe; Hong Kong-based Lim + Lu designers Elaine Lu and Vincent Lim; Slash Objects and Søren Rose Studio from the US; Masquespacio from Spain; as well as Sebastian Herkner from Germany; and Akuko Studio from the UK.
What happens when we have to leave that place where we have built a life?
The personal reflections have been published on Lucie Kaas’ social channels throughout the month of June. ‘Fundamental to the design industry’s existence is the reality that we all have a home to live in,’ reads the project’s introduction. ‘But what happens when we have to leave that place where we have built a life?’
‘What I value most about a home is that it is the centre, it’s the starting point,’ says Christian Troels.
‘A home is about feeling a sense of belonging and feeling a connection with space,’ echoes American designer Arielle Assouline-Lichten of Slash Objects.
‘Seeing [refugees] cutting their own roots, running risks of dying, just driven by the need and wish for a better and safer life is a situation I cannot even imagine, because it’s a horrible and sad scenario,’ says Sebastian Herkner.
Similarly, Søren Rose reflects that ‘words like devastated, ruined, traumatised, crushed, shattered’ come to mind when thinking about having to lose one’s home.
London-based designer Judith Achumba-Wollenstein worked on an interior project in early 2021, a home for a family of Syrian refugees. She said: ‘Something I used to do as a child was that I was really attached to furniture items because that was the only consistent thing in the homes that we lived in. The thought of not even having that or anything would be devastating – because the objects that we use are extensions of ourselves.’
The project was created in collaboration with the Danish Refugee Council, an umbrella organisation that supports refugees in Denmark. Twenty per cent of Lucie Kaas’ profits are currently being donated to the organisation as part of the initiative.
INFORMATION
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
Rosa Bertoli was born in Udine, Italy, and now lives in London. Since 2014, she has been the Design Editor of Wallpaper*, where she oversees design content for the print and online editions, as well as special editorial projects. Through her role at Wallpaper*, she has written extensively about all areas of design. Rosa has been speaker and moderator for various design talks and conferences including London Craft Week, Maison & Objet, The Italian Cultural Institute (London), Clippings, Zaha Hadid Design, Kartell and Frieze Art Fair. Rosa has been on judging panels for the Chart Architecture Award, the Dutch Design Awards and the DesignGuild Marks. She has written for numerous English and Italian language publications, and worked as a content and communication consultant for fashion and design brands.
-
Two new books examine the art of the logo, from corporate coherence to rock excess
Pentagram’s new book reveals 1,000 brand marks, while the art of the band logo is laid bare in Logo Rhythm
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
Art, culture, watches & jewellery editor Hannah Silver’s gift guide
From a Beryl Cook cushion to an offbeat diamond ring, there's something for everyone on this Wallpaper* editor's gift guide, embracing art, culture and style
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Feldspar makes its mark on Mayfair with a festive pop-up at Corinthia Hotel
Devon-based bone china brand Feldspar makes its first foray into shopkeeping with a pop-up at London’s Corinthia Hotel. Ali Morris speaks with the founders and peeks inside
By Ali Morris Published
-
BAFTA 2024 stage design pays tribute to the history of film animation
The 2024 BAFTA Film Awards celebrated the best of the past year’s films, with an elegant stage by Yellow Studio, which pays tribute to the history of film animation
By Tianna Williams Published
-
Oscar-nominated Killers of the Flower Moon puts Native American clothing design centre stage
How Osage ribbon work got top billing in Oscar-nominated Killers of the Flower Moon, Martin Scorsese’s true-crime epic
By Caragh McKay Published
-
‘Inside’ movie set: capitalism meets brutalism in the art- and design-filled thriller starring Willem Dafoe
Thorsten Sabel takes us through the making of ‘Inside’, the movie starring Willem Dafoe as a thief trapped in an art- and design-filled penthouse inspired by Oscar Neimeyer architecture
By Rosa Bertoli Published
-
Inside Tár: behind the scenes of the Oscars-nominated movie’s set designs
We speak to production designer Marco Bittner Rosser, behind the Tár movie set designs, to delve deep into the unique aesthetics of Lydia Tár’s world
By Rosa Bertoli Last updated
-
Watch Studio Pepe’s otherworldly design manifesto
The Milanese design duo have gathered their inspirations and pieces from the past year into a magical video
By Rosa Bertoli Published
-
Travel friendly: Cottage Eight Films captures the spirit of travel in moving image form
By Pei-Ru Keh Last updated
-
Semi-Permanent creative conference
By Lauren Ho Last updated