On view at Andreas Murkudis’ Berlin boutique, German industrial designer Christian Haas expresses his world of design objects as artworks

Christian Haas’s designs on view at Andreas Murkudis’ Potsdamer Straße 77 boutique in Berlin. Photography: Ana Santl

Sometimes, the gallery environment and its white walls is not quite the right plot for furniture to be shown. ‘We like the idea of mixing rather quiet pieces with more sculptural objects to create a narrative and also unexpected interior,’ German industrial designer Christian Haas says of an exhibition of his work at Andreas Murkudis’ Berlin boutique. Here, the pair, both friends and colleagues, run in synergy with their vision of what makes a great showcase.

This isn’t the first collaboration between Haas and Murkudis. Back in 2005, over ten years ago now, the now Porto-based designer dressed Murkudis’ first concept store in the Berlin Mitte area with his wares. ‘The situation was, of course, very different back then. Christian’s range of products and companies has grown enormously in the past years. In Mitte, Christian’s products instead created an intervention in the Store, and now they create space by themselves.’ Murkudis compares of the two displays.

Murkudis describes the current showcase at Potsdamer Straße 77 as an overview of the diversity in Haas’ oeuvre. Designs for the likes of leading German manufacturers including Schönbuch and Villeroy and Boch are set in conversation with products from Haas’ own label, and Japanese producer Karimoku New Standard.

Surprises of colour emerge in the space, while smaller objects create a sense of poetry amongst the muted tones of many of the larger furniture sculptures. Haas’ home away from home is set against Murkudis’ greyscale backdrop – ‘from small scale to big scale, I do not like to be limited in a few product categories, I have a general interest to design everything for a home,’ Haas explains. Murkudis’ touch is seen in his favourite Haas products like the Ropes lighting and the ethereal glass objects Haas made for Theresienthal  in 2011.

Haas has a lot in the pipeline following the show’s takedown in December, including new tableware, cutlery and Portuguese basket woven lighting. Likewise, Murkudis’ 2020 calendar is looking busy too with new exhibitions and projects. Watch this space. §