Design project in cooperation with Pierrick Malenfant, Paris [2004]
‘Berthe’ tells the story of our cities as a result of Cartesian planning, which has displaced natural development. The mission is to bring some nature back to the city in form of animal like architecture.
Berthe is the design for a mini house referring to the furniture design ‘domestic animals’ by Andrea Branzi. The Italian designer does not consider the designed pieces of furniture as dead objects, but compares them to living creatures having strong characters.
Accordingly Berthe is inspired by animals, being fury and strolling around in the city. Not fixed to a certain site, it is mainly showing up in groups and it does irritate the surroundings. Actually you never know where those creatures appear. Like animals Berthe is supposed to cause emotions: people can love or reject it at the same time. Some are even afraid of it.
Berthe has a soft fur, which should attract people to caress it. But the fur can also be very repulsive, if it is wet or dirty. People should actually care for Berthe.
Waiting for a prototype!
Team: Christina Kimmerle, Pierrick Malenfant
