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”
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
Gurtenfestival | Redesign VIP Comfort Zone
Bern / 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
Breathe with Me | An immersive Installation
Tashkent Swiss Days 2024 | 23. - 27. November 2024 | Uzbekistan
An Immersive Experience of Swiss Design for Calm and Space to Breathe at Tashkent City Mall
The Swiss Embassy in Tashkent, in collaboration with curator Inessa Boltyanskaya, introduced BREATHE WITH ME, to Uzbekistan. A transformative installation designed by Swiss-born, New York-based experience designer Annabelle Schneider. Hosted as part of the 3rd edition of Swiss Days, this unique five-day event took place at Tashkent City Mall, inviting visitors to explore the intersection of art, design, and environmental awareness through an immersive experience.
Originally commissioned by the Consulate General of Switzerland for NYCxDESIGN, BREATHE WITH ME has captivated audiences globally with its multi-sensorial approach to well-being and introspection. The installation explores the idea of well-being through design, using simple yet powerful gestures of soft, tactile fabrics that invite visitors to slow down and reconnect. In contrast to our overstimulating, intangible, and fast-paced digital world, this installation brings us back to the grounding quality of physical presence. The tactile fabrics, inflated by air, move in a rhythmic dance guided by low-frequency sounds that resonate with our heartbeats, creating a cocoon-like space that expands and contracts. This dynamic flow shifts our perception of space, fostering a sense of calm, joy, and safety—a rare pause to experience life in its simplest form.
>> PRESSKIT <<
Dates: 23. - 27. November, 2024
Hours: 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
Address: Tashkent City Mall
Tashkent, st. Botir Zakirov 7, Uzbekistan
“The space not only offers a haven for introspection and community but also subtly addresses the pressing environmental realities of our time. Located in a region deeply affected by the environmental crisis—from the dried-out Aral Sea to air filled with sand particles—Breathe with Me serves as a reminder of the impact of climate change on our health and our future. Through this immersive experience, I hope to inspire visitors to contemplate the fragility of our environment and the importance of sustainable living, while offering a visceral, grounding space that celebrates the simplicity of being present.”
Annabelle Schneider, Experience Designer
RENDERINGS
In a region profoundly impacted by environmental challenges, including the dried-out Aral Sea and sand-laden air, Schneider’s work offered timely commentary on climate change and its implications for health and the future of sustainable living. As curator Inessa Boltyanskaya noted, “Breathing is a pivotal theme here, where air quality poses a daily struggle.” Through her innovative use of spatial design, Schneider underscores the role of art in addressing urgent global issues.
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The installation for the third edition of Tashkent’s Swiss Days marked a fresh collaboration between G’Uncha Art Space and La Maison Du Tchapan. Schneider’s design integrated tactile poufs inspired by traditional Uzbek ikat patterns, crafted by La Maison Du Tchapan to create a soft, inviting landscape. This adaptable setup encouraged visitors to engage physically and emotionally with the space, embracing a nomadic and flexible design ethos. Situated within the bustling atrium of Tashkent City Mall, the installation invited participants to become co-creators in a continuously evolving environment, where their presence actively shaped the ambiance.
This collaborative project emphasized the power of soft fabrics as both form and function, serving as a cultural canvas that invited for open dialogue and personal reflection. As visitors moved through the space, they became part of a living, breathing entity that challenged conventional ideas of space and interaction. Schneider’s installation offered a visionary perspective on how design can foster connection, healing, and resilience in the face of global complexities.
Date: 23. - 27. November 2024 for Swiss Embassy in Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Location: City Mall Tashkent
Category: Immersive Experience
Comissioned for: Swiss Consulate NYC (May 2024) - This is the evolution Part III.
Concept, Design + Imagery: Annabelle Schneider
Sound: Luc Oggier
Curator for the Edition in Tashkent, Uzbekistan: Inessa Boltyanskaya G’Uncha Art Space and Natalia Ahmedova
Pillows, Chapans, Bags: La Maison Du Tchapan and Nadira Abdurakhmanova
Visual Identity: Piera W
Press: UZ Daily, Tashkent Times, Swissdays, Afisha, UZ Report World, Gazet, Afisha Exhibition Review, Central Business, MyDay TV
Location: City Mall Tashkent
Category: Immersive Experience
Comissioned for: Swiss Consulate NYC (May 2024) - This is the evolution Part III.
Concept, Design + Imagery: Annabelle Schneider
Sound: Luc Oggier
Curator for the Edition in Tashkent, Uzbekistan: Inessa Boltyanskaya G’Uncha Art Space and Natalia Ahmedova
Pillows, Chapans, Bags: La Maison Du Tchapan and Nadira Abdurakhmanova
Visual Identity: Piera W
Press: UZ Daily, Tashkent Times, Swissdays, Afisha, UZ Report World, Gazet, Afisha Exhibition Review, Central Business, MyDay TV