Vitra Schaudepot

On.the.Road

The Vitra Schaudepot, designed by Herzog & de Meuron, aligns in its continuity with the factory buildings by Alvaro Siza through its use of color and design. Its solemn exterior, comprising red brick walls and a seemingly fragile roof simply resting on top, prompts one to wonder about the building's purpose. Inside, contrasting with the exterior's red, the interior's silver tone and aligned lighting present a maximally simplified aesthetic space where numerous historically significant chairs and furniture pieces created by architects are casually displayed. Since the early 20th century, architects started to engage and control every aspect of construction, including architecture, interior design, furniture, and lighting, as furniture from previous eras did not fit their designs. They began crafting their own furniture to fill their buildings, and although not all their philosophies or intentions can be fully understood, many of these elegantly cool furniture pieces that were simply stacked in the space still possess a sophisticated charm today.