What was the inspiration for your products?

Both products arose from a new cooperation. Berlin Art Glas, which is Berlin’s only ›hot glass‹ workshop, asked me whether I wanted to jointly develop a product collection. The idea was for the design to depict the workmanship and poetic process of glassblowing. We experimented together in the workshop and engaged in a concentrated form of playing, from which many exciting ideas emerged. We are now showing these for the first time.

»Totem Pearls« is a whimsical and very small pendant that can be composed from three different glass base elements. The globes and discs are threaded on a rod like a chain. There are two differently-sized globes and one disc in three primary colours, plus grey and white. Anybody can combine them individually … a lens illuminates them from below. »Navel Table« is a small table and is still in the early experimental stage. In this process, I am trying to blow the metal thread directly into the glass body, in order to attach a table frame, for example. This is a real challenge from a technical perspective, but it has a great effect and brings many new possibilities.

How would you describe your style?

I strongly believe in a lifetime attachment with specific objects. Accordingly, I am interested in very high quality and durable solutions. Moreover, material authenticity is important for me. You can see a lot of stone, metal, wood, and now glass in my work. Most products are small series, editions or individual objects designed directly for a customer.

What are your associations with the Berliner Zimmer?

I’ve lived in Berlin since the mid-70s. I grew up in the centre-west part of the city. There, the old buildings were very sought-after and were in good condition. Hardly any of my friends lived in a new-build apartment. The Berliner Zimmer quintessentially combines private and presentable space and was always something of a join or transition zone. Accordingly, I remember these rooms very well, as they highlighted something of the essence of the family in their home.

In which part of the Berliner Zimmer in a Berlin apartment would you place your product?

I see »Totem Pearls« close to the window, above a large table in a group of five or seven. They would bring friendly, bright, coloured accentuation to a room that is usually somewhat murky. Nevertheless, if the sun does make it into the room, the hand-blown glass would glitter in a delightfully colourful way.

What do you expect from the Biennale Interieur?

It’s the second time since 2005 that I’m showing something in Belgium. I’ve heard many good things about the Biennale and am looking forward to some stimulating conversations and to perhaps make one or two customer contacts. I am curious about the visitors’ reactions to the new ideas in my Berlin Art Glass cooperation.

In your opinion, how important is design for society?

Good design is important to society because it reflects seriously on a problem or task, and finds inspiring and meaningful solutions that are satisfying, sustainable and pleasurable for the people that use them.

When are you impressed by design?

This can happen on many levels. Not always simultaneously, and of course it depends on the product. The design of a light switch must be able to do quite different things than an armchair. But when a design makes sense and touches me aesthetically, then this is the moment I’m looking for.