Life & Style | Home & Interiors
Pragmatic Pieces
The stereotypical German is pragmatic and precise. The three protagonists of young German architecture firm C18 are certainly these things, but they are also a part of a new generation.
- By Nyree Barrett, Copy Editor/Writer
- Published: 13:39 March 2, 2009
There is a misconception amongst some that forms, whether in art, architecture, or fashion, must be complicated in order to be truly great, but sometimes the most simple creations are the most exceptional.
Young German architecture firm C18 consists of three humble and unassuming Germans, Michel Roeder, Marcus Kaestle, and Andreas Ocker, who certainly know how to execute divine minimalism.
Their latest project, jewellery designer Georg Spreng's home in German mountain range, the Alb, is a testament to this. From the street, the house is a clinical, white-tiled structure – a blank canvas.
But inside, the space is a perfect ode to natural light and a showcase of the area's verdant surroundings. “Architecture is a general term for each intervention into nature,'' explains Michel Roeder of the Stuttgart-based, 6-year-old, C18 clan.
“As such, it always has to be done with a strong portion of reflection. Nowadays an architect is the generalist within a group of experts. It is his job to keep the overall vision on track and to breathe soul and emotion into things.''
In line with Roeder's philosophical views, the C18 team felt that the most important first step in designing Georg Spreng's home was to get to know him as a person.
“During the concept phase we didn't concentrate on his jewellery design, rather we listened to him in order to analyse his personality. In doing this we could create a house that expresses the philosophy of Georg Spreng, and therefore his jewellery.''
For Roeder, architecture is inextricably linked to being human. “The wish to configurate our surroundings is deeply rooted in human nature. Without this instinct there would be no development at all. Choosing to be an architect is choosing to invent and develop as our basic senses encourage us to.''
Despite holding grandiose views on architecture as a discipline, Roeder is quick to point out that C18 does not limit itself to one architectural ethos.
“Our style is in fact to not stick dogmatically to a certain style. We want each of our projects to be an individual solution to a specific problem.''
Which is their favourite then? Is it their latest, the minimalistic Georg Spreng house? Or perhaps their stunning renovation of St. Bonifaz church?
St. Bonifaz was originally built in 1958, but in 2002, C18 transformed it from a stuffy, dated interior into an eerily celestial space, one that most certainly deserves aesthetic worship.
Or perhaps their favourite is the interior fit-out of Olli's Restaurant, which sits inside a former castle in the South of Germany.
Their clean design for the eatery, with strong touches of floral reds and pinks, leaks out onto the street in perfect contrast with the historic, muted exterior.
Their favourite is at once none of the above and all of the above. “The latest project is in some way always the favourite, because the impressions are still fresh. So right now it's the Georg Spreng project, which is certainly an exciting house and a wonderful place to be. But more important than self-admiration for an already completed work is that we keep forward focused and approach new challenges. So from this way of looking at things, our next project is our favourite one,'' explains Michel.
The fact that C18 look to the horizon means they don't hold the same opinion as many international critics and architects. In other words, they don't believe that the rate and scale of architectural development in the UAE will lead to a scary dystopia.
“We keep our eyes on the UAE and watch the current development with deep admiration, curious as to what will come next. The dynamism with which things are done over there is amazing. One thing is obvious to me: the UAE will be a part of the world where development and technology is pushed forward. It will keep on booming.''
Despite the acknowledgment that the fluidity of borderlines in Europe these days means that one cannot call C18's architecture ‘German' per-se, they do believe that there are some German attributes that are worth holding on to. These are thoroughness and reliability, as well as precision in execution and pioneering ecological house engineering.
“Yes, because of these attributes, our works are partly ‘Made in Germany', but the influences over our work are much more complex. Due to the position of Germany in the midst of Europe, there has never been an isolated German architecture, and the signs of our times tell us to think globally, not locally. What is of most interest to us now is the fact that current architectural development can only be regarded in an international context,'' explains Michel.
C18 are young architects who look at their work without a great deal of ego or pretention. They approach their art with the perfect mix of mind and soul.
Their technique could be dubbed pragmatic romanticism, and their pared down, unobtrusive works are at once German yet entirely boundless.
At only six years old, the practice is only just finding its feet, but when it does, we imagine that they will remain firmly grounded.
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