Kartell Laufen | Virtual Space

The Internet / 2021




KARTELL BY LAUFEN - THE FLOWER THAT SURVIVES IN THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT RE-CONQUERED BY NATURAL FORCES. A HARMONIOUS BLEND OF DIGITAL AND PHYSICAL DESIGN IN A POST-APOCALYPTIC LANDSCAPE.

Kartell Laufen Virtual Space. A harmonious blend of digital and physical design in a post-apocalyptic landscape. Explore the New Kartell by Laufen Collection where Nature takes over the Built Environment. A concept and ideation formed during Covid-19 lockdowns, when fairs, events and interpersonal meetings in physical space were disrupted. 


The Laufen virtual space unfolds as an immersive digital odyssey, unveiling the essence of the company's bathroom collections in a novel and captivating manner. In a world where truly unforgettable virtual reality encounters remain a distant prospect, Laufen embarked on this venture with the ambition of transcending conventional limits. With face-to-face interactions relegated to the digital realm, Laufen's virtual spaces aspire to forge a bridge, allowing the company to commune with individuals who, for various reasons, find themselves physically distant from a specific place and time. Ultimately, Laufen seeks to weave connections among individuals, operating on diverse planes of interaction.

In an industry where the established norms of fairs and monumental booth constructions endured unquestioned for decades, the digital revolution has birthed innovative business models. The internet, a disruptive force, has reshaped the landscape of production, display, exhibition, and documentation of products, information, and experiences.

As the pandemic imposes constraints and reshapes behaviors, the virtual realm increasingly becomes the canvas for narratives once confined to the physical. Stories need not manifest in tangible structures; instead, they find a new dimension in the digital realm.

The virtual realm gradually supplants the physical, yet one cannot exist without the other. Annabelle is compelled to uncover the glitches and nuances that convey a consistent message both online and offline.

In the midst of the pandemic, online virtual spaces emerge as contextual havens for products, guided by profound narratives. Unfortunately, senses such as touch, smell, and personal connections bear the brunt of neglect, exacting a toll on both mental and physical well-being. This compels us to reimagine the communication and relationship ecosystem through the creation of formats that blur the boundaries between the digital and the physica

DISCOVER THE VIRTUAL SPACE
HERE




Embark on a virtual voyage through Laufen's dream-inspired realm, featuring four enchanting Kartell by Laufen sets and nature-infused tales that beckon exploration and evoke wonder. Commencing in the urban expanse, cruising to the desert, venturing into a nocturnal forest, and escaping to an artist's haven, where Laufen unveils a limited special edition of screen-printed collages by Swiss artist Monique Baumann.

This digital marvel aims to transcend the online norm, transporting emotions through digitally animated, semi-interactive collages. Immerse yourself in surreal spaces with a playful touch and deliberately tactile sensations, crafting an experience that resonates despite the fully digital medium. It's a journey of process and progress, a narrative artfully guiding you through Laufen's products, akin to a leisurely stroll through a fair booth envisioned by architects Gabrielle Hächler and Andreas Fuhrimann.







THE 4 DISTINCT SPACES

Each locale showcases the new Kartell by Laufen collection within a setting crafted from natural shapes and remnants of the consumption age. Animals and humans materialize and vanish; the ever-changing weather, varying times of day, shifting lights, and a rich soundscape guide the exploration. Surrealist quotes inject humor and commentary on current times. Navigating the stacked, interactive rooms involves scrolling and clicking, entering scenarios where nature reclaims the built environment—a multimedia experience defined by collages, chaos, and moments of clarity that prompt existential questions.



THE URBAN
A landscape molded by humanity, forged by nature's elements—a sanctuary of hope and reflection. Wired emotions manifest in survival mode amid crisis, unveiling traces of life within abandoned urban spaces. Smoke intertwines with light, and water mirrors the ephemeral moment.

THE DESERT
Escape the forsaken city to the desert, where fire and sinuous paths through the sand define the journey. Precious life emerges in the oasis—a momentary pause to ponder progress, a reflective interlude in the boundless expanse.

THE ENCHANTED FOREST
Wander through the woods, where life thrives in sunken places and magic whispers through the leaves. Engage with the built environment nestled within the forest's embrace.

THE ARTIST’S ATELIER
An exclusive sanctuary boasting limited products and unique collaborations—an oasis distinct from the post-apocalyptic ambiance. Swiss artist Monique Baumann's limited edition screenprints on ceramic breathe life into this space, seamlessly merging analog art into the digital tapestry. Here, nature, creation, deconstruction, and renewal dance in harmonious chaos, imbued with a positive outlook drawn from recycled fragments.


              

CAN A BATHROOM BECOME A VIRTUAL SPACE?
A DIALOGUE BETWEEN FRAME MAGAZINE, LAUFEN AND THE DESIGNER.
DIVE INTO THE STORY HERE.




Date: 2021
Designer a comission for LAUFEN and Kartell
Collaborators AFGH Architects, Sound: Carlo Peters, Web: HenklHiedl
Category: Things I built | Virtual Space
Location: The Internet
Press: FRAME Magazine, Designboom, Stylepark, Interni Magazine, Domus, Design Insider, Global Design News