Sebastian Herkner's extraordinary feeling for material and his original, in spite of its simplicity curiously enticing form solutions have quickly earned the 34-year-old high international esteem. As a frequent traveller, he gathers impressions, everyday objects and craftsmen's techniques. Brands like Moroso, Fontana Arte, Sitzfeldt, Very Wood by Gervasoni, Sancal, Böwer, Gubi, Leff Amsterdam, Carl Mertens, Pulpo, La Chance, De Vorm, Rosenthal or Nya Nordiska assign him with the task of designing furniture, lamps, tableware and showrooms.

He understands how to emphasise the value and character of the material and combine this expediently with craftsmanship and high-tech. Many of his designs that initially caused a stir above all in the gallery scene enfold their quality first and foremost using traditional craftsmanship - for example the Bell Table (Classicon), the coloured glass stand of which is still hand-made in Germany. For Das Haus - Interiors on Stage, Herkner has something in mind that couldn't be more different to the cubic design divided into two-storey rooms created by the Shanghai-based architecture studio, Neri&Hu, in 2015: Das Haus 2016 is to be airy and characterised by textiles and it is to convey an experience of open living that is tangible with all of the senses.

"I don't want any rigid walls, but instead a house that communicates openness," is how Herkner explains the cornerstones of his concept. "A house can make two statements: 'Stay outside!' or 'Come in!'. In the light of the fates of refugees it is time to set a sign of openness and empathy as a means of opposition against political isolation," Sebastian Herkner finds. "We have come a long way with the concept for Das Haus over the past years and have in the process brought a really international spectrum of contemporary design by exceptional, aspiring designers and architects to Cologne," is how Dick Spierenburg, Creative Director of imm cologne, confidently commented the success story of the experimental platform that was introduced in 2012.

The Dutchman added: "After taking the big step to China last year we were simply not able to pass by Sebastian Herkner, just because he lives more or less round the corner. Herkner's house is going to be spectacular, because it is going to be totally different again: Rich in perspective, unusual and very, very sensual. I am expecting it to be an event that not only attracts the attention of the professional world, but which will also cause a stir on the public days."