BREATHE WITH ME | Basel Editon: Soft Clubbing
Singer Klub at Marktplatz, Basel | June 17 - 22, 2025
DISCOVERING STILLNESS THROUGH THE SENSES
BREATHE WITH ME — Basel Edition: Soft Clubbing
Art Basel Week · 17–22 June, 2025 · Basel, Switzerland
> PRESSKIT <
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BREATHE WITH ME is an immersive, multisensory installation for wellbeing and community. Designed and conceptualized by the Swiss-born, New York-based experience designer Annabelle Schneider.
Originally commissioned by the Consulate General of Switzerland in New York, the installation has already been shown internationally – including in New York, Barcelona, Tashkent, and Gainesville – and now returns in an evolved form to its place of original inspiration: Switzerland.
In May 2025, BREATHE WITH ME was named a Finalist and Honoree of the NYCxDESIGN Awards, recognized as one of the year’s most outstanding installations and exhibitions.
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A BREATHING COCOON FOR PRESENCE
The installation invited visitors into a soft, cocoon-like space that offered stillness, reflection, and reconnection. Guided by an original soundscape composed by Luc Oggier and activated through intimate live performances by Braths and OSOMO, the experience unfolded through breath, light, scent, and an amorphous, inflatable textile sculpture that rised and fell rhythmically – an homage to the calming breath that unites us all. Entering the cocoon offered a shift in perspective: Away from an overstimulated, visually driven, and increasingly AI-smoothed world, into a space of deceleration and grounding.
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> PRESSKIT <
“In a time when we are flooded by sensations and accelerated by artificial systems yet rarely touched on an emotional level, we need places that allow us to process again,” says artist and designer Annabelle Schneider. “Multisensory elements – sound, scent, movement – gently guide us into a quieter state. The Bubble is not a spectacle, but a temporary home for what finds no space in everyday life: stillness, sensation, and conscious presence.”
Annabelle Schneider, Experience Designer
The breathing spatial sculpture was developed in collaboration with the Swiss studio Luft & Laune, which played a key role in shaping both the form and technical realization, and significantly contributed to the architectural language of the project.
At the entrance of Singer Klub stood the Breathing Drop – a scent-based sculpture developed by Annabelle in collaboration with the Swiss fragrance house Luzi. Inspired by the architecture of the breathing space, it translated the theme of breath into an olfactory experience.
The fragrance FOVET, specially composed by Luzi, made breath tangible on a deeper emotional level. Here, scent became an additional layer of breath – invisible, yet emotionally resonant – guiding visitors through the space with subtle accents.
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SOFT CLUBBING – RETHINKING SPACES OF GATHERING
Set in an unexpected venue – a club – the Basel edition reimagined how we gather. Through the lens of well-being, sensual presence, and emotional resonance, Soft Clubbing replaced strobes and bass with rhythm and atmosphere. Here, architecture breathes and connected, offering a radical rethinking of the club not as a site of excess, but as a space for inner tuning and intentional togetherness.
We are witnessing the beginning of a soft cultural shift – one that moves consciously away from sensory overload and toward deeper, more present modes of being together. As traditional nightlife fades and the desire for meaningful, multisensory experiences grows, BREATHE WITH ME offered a “third space” – somewhere between ritual, retreat, and reconnection.
In an age of urgency, disconnection, and visual saturation, BREATHE WITH ME made space not for doing, but for being – invited us to rethink the ephemeral nature of design as a tool for intimacy, sensory awareness, and collective calm.
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“BREATHE WITH ME is a response to a world that feels increasingly fast, loud,
and disembodied. In the midst of this sensory overload, I believe design
must slow us down — not through silence, but through depth.
Multi-sensory spaces engage more than just the eye — they awaken memory, sensation, and presence. This project is a quiet manifesto for spatial experience and for designing with and for the whole body — where touch, sound, scent, and breath become tools for inclusion, connection, and well-being.”
and disembodied. In the midst of this sensory overload, I believe design
must slow us down — not through silence, but through depth.
Multi-sensory spaces engage more than just the eye — they awaken memory, sensation, and presence. This project is a quiet manifesto for spatial experience and for designing with and for the whole body — where touch, sound, scent, and breath become tools for inclusion, connection, and well-being.”
Annabelle Schneider, Experience Designer
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Date: June 17-22, 2025 | Art Basel Week, Switzerland
Location: Singer Klub at Marktplatz, Basel
Category: Immersive Experience for calm and well-being
Main Partner: Diageo
Partners: LUZI, Die Mobiliar
Supportive Partners: LAUFEN, Eptinger
Product Partners: Zig Zag Zürich, 4 Spaces, Stadler Form, PIEGA, Stopptrop Fabrics + Henzi
Project Management: Reto Nussbaum
Fabrication Inflatable: Luft & Laune GmbH
Concept, Design + Imagery: Annabelle Schneider
Pillow Design: Annabelle Schneider
Visual Identity: W—E studio, Stephanie Specht, Annabelle Schneider
Sound: Luc Oggier
Mix + Mastering: Ben Mühletaler
Sound System: Piega
Live Performances: BRATHS + OSOMO
Photos: David Hubacher for JEFF Zürich Agency
Content Production: Noel Scheidegger
Press Contact: Robin PR Agency, contact@hellorobin.ch
Press: NZZ Bellevue, Blick, Basler Zeitung, Tele Basel, BZ Schweiz am Wochenende, BMQ
Project Website: https://annabelleschneider.com/BreathewithMe-ArtBasel-Week-2025
BREATHE WITH ME | An immersive Installation
161 Water Street, 3rd Floor, WSA New York | May 16 - 23, 2024
BREATHE WITH ME, is an immersive installation conceptualized by award-winning Swiss spatial designer and Parsons educator Annabelle Schneider. Presented by the Consulate General of Switzerland at WSA NY, the cutting-edge cultural hub in Downtown Manhatten, this multi-sensorial space features new and iconic designs by LAUFEN, Luft & Laune, PIEGA, PIN–UP HOME, Schaffner, Studio Christian Wassmann, Tisca, USM Modular Furniture, Vitra, and 4Spaces ZigZagZurich, capturing the essence of Swiss design by seamlessly blending timeless beauty with modern sensibilities, inviting moments of relaxation and reflection.
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Experience breathable textiles synchronized with contemplative sounds and soft furnishings, meticulously crafted to positively impact both body and mind. Fabrics swell and sway to the polyrhythmic soundscape by musician Luc Oggier, mimicking soothing breathing patterns and creating an oasis in the bustling heart of Manhattan.
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PROGRAMMING
We celebrated Swiss heritage, design, and innovation in a series of events set in a space to breathe, connect, and reflect. Visitors benefited from the unique opportubity to immerse themselves in BREATHE WITH ME, at WSA NY from May 17 - 23, 2024.
May 16 | 6 - 10 PM Press Preview + Opening-Party w/ DJ SHU-G: Invite
May 19 | 7 - 9 PM Listening Session w/ James K: Invite
May 17 - 23 | noon - 7 PM Experience presented for NYCxDESIGN
May 22 | 6 PM - 8 PM SWISSNEX x LAUFEN Panel Talk
on Spatial Wellbeing: Invite
“As an experience designer, it’s crucial to incorporate details that evoke a sense of safety, familiarity, calmness, and support for individuals in hectic, overstimulated cities and events. This approach enables me to anchor the designs and make deliberate choices in crafting forms and materials that contribute to a softer, warmer and more welcoming space”
Annabelle Schneider, Experience Designer
BREATHE WITH ME (2024)
BREATHE WITH ME (2024)
“BREATHE WITH ME reminds people the role of sound in creating calm & freeing environments. The placement of objects present architecture as more than just walls & boundaries but thresholds into different spaces for contentment. ”
N’Dos Onochie, Architect and Yale Graduate
INSTALLATION
“In today’s fast-paced world, achieving work-life balance is increasingly crucial as we try to navigate the relentless demands of modern life. Amidst the constant buzz of technology and external pressures, finding moments of tranquility and mental respite have become a necessity rather than a luxury. This quest for equilibrium has sparked a growing interest in neuroaesthetic design, aimed at creating environments that promote psychological well-being, alleviate stress, foster belonging, community and presence.”
Annabelle Schneider, Experience Designer
BREATHE WITH ME (2024)
PANEL TALK | MAY 20, 2024
OPENING EVENT | MAY 16, 2024
“Annabelle’s ethereal vision to create an immersive pranayama experience is simply beyond our times in the modern era of wellness. The fact that the inflatable bubble was controlled by two small air system fans also shows her technical brilliance in advancing the human perception and spatial design experience and getting all of us to simply breath and hold ourselves in a place of calm and tranquility, especially in a city like New York.”
Amanda Williams,
C-Medication Coach, Reiki Master, Soundhealing
C-Medication Coach, Reiki Master, Soundhealing
Date: May 16 - 23, 2024 for NYCxDESIGN
Location: WSA NY, 161 Water Street, New York
Category: Immersive Experience
Comission for: Swiss Consulate NYC
Concept, Design + Imagery: Annabelle Schneider
Sound: Luc Oggier
Visual Identity: Piera Wolf + Stephanie Specht
Partners: WSA NY, LAUFEN, Luft+Laune, PIEGA, PIN-UP Home, Schaffner AG, Christian Wassmann, Tisca, USM, Vitra, Artek, 4Spaces ZigZagZürich
Event Guides: Dezeen, Designboom, NYCxDESIGN, Top 11 Things to see during NYCxDESIGN 2024, Designlab, Deal Town
Press: Dezeen, SRF Tagesschau, Schweizer Illustrierte, Swissnex Boston, Monocle, PinUp Home, Dezeen Instagram, Swiss Impact USA, ArchiPanic,
NoProscenium, Seen Today, IFDM, WSA, NYCxDESIGN and Eventguide NYCxDESIGN, Designlab, Meter Magazin, Fashionsnoops
NYC Scented Trashbag Candle | NYC x DESIGN x Souvenir
Oculus Manhattan | NYC x DESIGN | May 12 - 21 | 2025
Annabelle Schneider’s work has been selected for the 2025 NYCxDESIGN x Souvenir exhibition—one of the most anticipated showcases of the NYCxDESIGN Festival, celebrating 72 visionary designers who reimagine what a New York souvenir can be.
Among the playful, provocative, and poetic pieces on view, Annabelle presents her boldest commentary yet: the NYC Trashbag Candle. What looks like a glossy black garbage bag hides a secret—light it, and an unexpected golden treasure begins to emerge. A cheeky homage to the city’s grit, excess, and glamour, the piece transforms disposable culture into a moment of ritual, scent, and storytelling.
Catch this collectible object—and the city’s spirit—on view at The Canvas Gallery at the Oculus.
Date: May 12 - 21, 2025
Hours: daily from 11:00am - 7:00 pm
Opening Preview + Reception:
Thursday, May 15
10:00 am
Evening Reception:
Saturday, May 17
from 5:00 pm - 7:00pm
Address:
The Canvas at the Oculus
185 Greenwich St Ground Floor (C2)
South Concourse
>> PRESSKIT
“In a city defined by speed and excess, this candle asks us to slow down and reconsider what we consume and discard. — Trash or Treasure? — It’s a meditation on decay, resilience, and presence—wrapped in something playful, familiar, and strange. The NYC Trashbag Candle is a scented sculpture and a souvenir of contradiction, featuring a golden brass rat as a treasure emerging from the slow burning process.”
NYC TRASHBAG CANDLE - A SOUVENIR OF WASTE AND WONDER
Official NYCxDESIGN Souvenir 2025 · Limited Edition Launch
Towering piles of black trash bags—stacked in chaotic yet familiar formations—define the urban fabric of New York City. The NYC Trashbag Candle is a provocative and playful reflection on capitalism, waste, and the aesthetic potential of discarded things. It poses a timely question about our patterns of consumption: Slow or fast? Treasure or trash?
Designed as both an art object and a conceptual souvenir, the candle transforms an everyday urban imprint into something intimate and precious. Its sculptural form mirrors the way garbage naturally accumulates on sidewalks—layered, imperfect, fleeting. As it burns, the candle slowly collapses, distorting the neat stack and releasing a rich fragrance that contrasts its raw appearance.
In its final stage, the candle reveals a golden metal rat—a glimmering relic of the city’s underworld and a lasting symbol of what remains when everything else has burned away.
This object is not just a candle—it’s a narrative artifact. A sensory meditation on time, speed, and presence. In a city defined by relentless motion, it offers a counterpoint: an invitation to pause, to reflect, to find warmth in stillness. A souvenir that captures the paradox of New York itself—fast and slow, chaotic and beautiful, disposable and unforgettable.
MATERIAL
The NYC Trash Bag Candle is made from soy waxes, repurposing discarded materials to give trash a second life in an unexpected form. Infused with a distinctive scent, the candle transforms perceptions of waste, engaging not only the eye but also the senses. As it burns, its sculptural layers melt and shift, releasing a fragrance that contrasts with its visual inspiration—turning an emblem of urban excess into an intimate, contemplative experience. Blurring the line between disposable and desirable, the candle becomes a paradox in itself: both repulsive and alluring, fleeting and lasting, fast and slow.
- Candle: Black Soy-wax
- Rat: Gold Brass
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Fragrance Option 1: Cashmere Musk
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Fragrance Option 2: Leather and Labdanum
DIMENSIONS
Trio Trashbag Candle:
12. 9 cm H x 18.2 cm W x 18.5 cm D
5.1’’ H x 7.2’’ W x 7.3’’ D
Date: May 15-21, 2025
Time: 11am - 7pm daily
Winner of: NYC x DESIGN x Souvenir
Partners: Coolhunting, Boym Partners (Exhibition Design)
Sponsored by: Kikkerland Design
Category: Things I built | Multisensorial Experience
Photography: Jurate Veceraite
Location: The Canvas at the Oculus, 185 Greenwich St Ground Floor (C2), New York City
Press: NYCxDESIGN 2025, Coolhunting
Gurtenfestival | Redesign VIP Comfort Zone
Bern, Switzerland | 2022
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New Vibrations for VIP Spaces
The 39th edition of one of Switzerland’s largerst music open-air festivals came to a brilliant end after 4 Days in mid’ July. 75,000 cumulative visitors - almost 44,000 different people (unique visitors) - livened up the “Hausberg” and enjoyed four days of sunshine and a true festival full of music, joy and party. The return of the Gurtenfestival after 2 years of absence cannot be described as anything other than fantastic, even if such a generic adjective seems inappropriate. With splendid weather, very well attended concerts throughout, an atmosphere that cannot be described as anything other than a joyful to euphoric peaceful togetherness and various musical highlights, the 2022 edition will definitely go down in the Gurtenfestival history books.
Musical diversity with numerous highlights
The importance of the diversity in the programme, which has often been a topic of discussion in the media in recent weeks, was only confirmed on the site - the composition of the people on and in front of the stages and the variety and breadth of the musical programme created an extraordinarily beautiful, joyful and euphoric atmosphere on the grounds. Acts like Erykha Badu, Megan Thee Stallion, Seeed, Little Simz, Balthazar, Anitta and The Chemical Brothers left a lasting impression on Bern and each other.
It was not uncommon for artists to be found in the audience of their colleagues before and after their concerts. For example, Arlo Parks and Kokoroko with Erykah Badu. The attention and responsiveness to the audience at each concert stood out: One moment a bursting full tent stage, the total demolition with Skepta - the next atmospheric devotion and devotion with Erykah Badu. Not to forget the moment on Thursday evening when the Gurtenfestival made worldwide (cultural) history and went viral: When Erykah Badu climbed the stage with Megan Thee Stallion, showed off her twerk skills and delivered, in Megan's words, "real mf texas shit, real mf hot girl shit": From Daily Mail to Complex and The Fader - they all covered this Gurtenfestival moment!
Musical diversity with numerous highlights
The importance of the diversity in the programme, which has often been a topic of discussion in the media in recent weeks, was only confirmed on the site - the composition of the people on and in front of the stages and the variety and breadth of the musical programme created an extraordinarily beautiful, joyful and euphoric atmosphere on the grounds. Acts like Erykha Badu, Megan Thee Stallion, Seeed, Little Simz, Balthazar, Anitta and The Chemical Brothers left a lasting impression on Bern and each other.
It was not uncommon for artists to be found in the audience of their colleagues before and after their concerts. For example, Arlo Parks and Kokoroko with Erykah Badu. The attention and responsiveness to the audience at each concert stood out: One moment a bursting full tent stage, the total demolition with Skepta - the next atmospheric devotion and devotion with Erykah Badu. Not to forget the moment on Thursday evening when the Gurtenfestival made worldwide (cultural) history and went viral: When Erykah Badu climbed the stage with Megan Thee Stallion, showed off her twerk skills and delivered, in Megan's words, "real mf texas shit, real mf hot girl shit": From Daily Mail to Complex and The Fader - they all covered this Gurtenfestival moment!
It wouldn't be Güsche if there weren't several Bärn highlights as well! Jeans for Jesus set the Waldbühne on fire, Chlyklass cleared the main stage, Sophie Hunger & Bonaparte enchanted the tent stage - and the list goes on...
A total of 64 bands played on the 4 stages, of which about 50% were Swiss bands, the female quota was also 50%. The carefully curated DJ line-up with a total of 74 acts from the three Dancetents Soundgarden (with a new building that turned the Ostsignal into a veritable club), Supermercado and Cosmodrome ensured almost continuously full dance floors already in the afternoon until 5 am. There was a surprise on Friday when "Baobab Forever" was on the programme at 9.15 pm at Soundgarden - behind the name was none
other than Nativ, who made the full Dancetent shake like there was no tomorrow.
Programme+ (plus)
The new food concept proved its worth. The visually upgraded food areas and stands were enjoyed by a large number of visitors, and the varied and diverse offer received a lot of positive feedback. The first festival-owned, purely vegan food stand in collaboration with Outlawz, the good mood food stand, not only enlivened the audience with its colourful appearance and a small water sprayer, but also with a wide selection of delicious, fresh festival classics. The afternoon beatmaking workshops by Helvetiarockt in the Soundgarden enjoyed great popularity and interest. The newly designed festival store with various merch items, including upcycled products from Rework and Bazaar, was very popular - a selection of handmade products from Bern will be available in the festival webshop from the end of July. The VIP area shone in new splendour. It was completely redesigned by Bernese designer Annabelle Schneider, also because of the new observatory located there, and invited visitors to linger in different areas.
A total of 64 bands played on the 4 stages, of which about 50% were Swiss bands, the female quota was also 50%. The carefully curated DJ line-up with a total of 74 acts from the three Dancetents Soundgarden (with a new building that turned the Ostsignal into a veritable club), Supermercado and Cosmodrome ensured almost continuously full dance floors already in the afternoon until 5 am. There was a surprise on Friday when "Baobab Forever" was on the programme at 9.15 pm at Soundgarden - behind the name was none
other than Nativ, who made the full Dancetent shake like there was no tomorrow.
Programme+ (plus)
The new food concept proved its worth. The visually upgraded food areas and stands were enjoyed by a large number of visitors, and the varied and diverse offer received a lot of positive feedback. The first festival-owned, purely vegan food stand in collaboration with Outlawz, the good mood food stand, not only enlivened the audience with its colourful appearance and a small water sprayer, but also with a wide selection of delicious, fresh festival classics. The afternoon beatmaking workshops by Helvetiarockt in the Soundgarden enjoyed great popularity and interest. The newly designed festival store with various merch items, including upcycled products from Rework and Bazaar, was very popular - a selection of handmade products from Bern will be available in the festival webshop from the end of July. The VIP area shone in new splendour. It was completely redesigned by Bernese designer Annabelle Schneider, also because of the new observatory located there, and invited visitors to linger in different areas.
Impressions from Festival
Wall Designs with and without Hollywood Lights
Project Process | Plans and Mock-Ups
Date: 2022
Designer Comissioned by Gurtenfestival
Category: Things I built | Redesign the Comfort Zone of Switzerland’s most beautiful Music Festival
Location: Bern, Switzerland
Press: Der Bund, Musicfestivalwizard, Swissinfo, TheStallion, Complex, The Fader, Daily Mail
BREATHE WITH ME | An immersive Installation
Barcelona Design Week (BDW) | 24. + 25. October 2024
Annabelle Schneider’s BREATHE WITH ME installation debuts at Underground BDW, a new creative venture of Barcelona Design Week, held on October 24 and 25 in the LCI Barcelona parking.
This immersive, multi-sensorial experience blends sound, design, and mindfulness to create a serene space for reflection and calm.
First commissioned by the Consulate General of Switzerland for NYCxDESIGN, BREATHE WITH ME features sound frequencies by Swiss musician Luc Oggier, body-conforming inflated air-powered, modular system pillows by VASTO and NAKED SPACE and softening rugs by Francisco Cumellas, staged within a textile breathing ‘womb’ shaped safe space. A grounding retreat amidst the energetic pulse of Barcelona’s design community.
The experience is rooted in designing for the human future, focusing on inclusive well-being and fostering connection in a rapidly changing world.
Dates: 24. + 25. October, 2024
Hours: 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
Address: Parking Alaba Street 124, LCI Barcelona Parking
>> PRESSKIT <<
ABOUT SOFT ACTION WITHIN THE “BUBBLE”
Born out of a collaboration bet
ween VASTO and NAKED SPACE, SOFT ACTION is designed as an air-powered, modular system made from recyclable PVC tarpaulin in order to configure into various spatial formats for multiple interactive actions.
With a fresh collaboration with New York based artist Annabelle at this year's Barcelona Design Week, the reinstallation embraces its concept of nomadic and flexible design, transforming the new venue as it travels and challenging traditional notions of space, responding dynamically to movement, presence, and engagement.
The new iteration continues to embody the idea of shared authorship, and emphasize the power of air as a form and a function, creating an experiential dialogue that invites visitors to immerse themselves in an environment that is ever-changing, responsive, and collaborative.
The installation is a living, breathing entity where visitors become active participants, contributing to the ongoing transformation of the space. The experience invites the audience to engage with the installation as co-creators, embracing a modern power dynamic that is fluid, participatory, and communal.
RENDERINGS
IMPRESSIONS
Date: 24. + 25. October 2024 for Underground at BDW for Barcelona Designweek
Location: Parking Alaba Street 124, LCI Barcelona Parking Gallery
Category: Immersive Experience
Comissioned for: Swiss Consulate NYC (May 2024) - This is an evolution.
Concept, Design + Imagery: Annabelle Schneider
Photos: Cecilia Diaz
Sound: Luc Oggier
Supported by: LAUFEN + Consulado General de Suiza
Inflatable Pillows SOFT ACTION: VASTO x NAKED SPACE
Rugs: Francisco Cumellas
Press: Barcelona Design Week, Magazine Horse, Elastica Magazine, LCI Barcelona, Tectonica, Beteve, La Vanguardia, CC Magazine, Interiors Minimalistas, Equipamiento Hostelero, On Diseño, PobleNou Urban District, METAL Magazine, News Packaging, Studioxag,Barcelona Design Week Calendar
Location: Parking Alaba Street 124, LCI Barcelona Parking Gallery
Category: Immersive Experience
Comissioned for: Swiss Consulate NYC (May 2024) - This is an evolution.
Concept, Design + Imagery: Annabelle Schneider
Photos: Cecilia Diaz
Sound: Luc Oggier
Supported by: LAUFEN + Consulado General de Suiza
Inflatable Pillows SOFT ACTION: VASTO x NAKED SPACE
Rugs: Francisco Cumellas
Press: Barcelona Design Week, Magazine Horse, Elastica Magazine, LCI Barcelona, Tectonica, Beteve, La Vanguardia, CC Magazine, Interiors Minimalistas, Equipamiento Hostelero, On Diseño, PobleNou Urban District, METAL Magazine, News Packaging, Studioxag,Barcelona Design Week Calendar