Haus Otto
Patrick and Nils, please introduce yourself:
We are Haus Otto, an artist and design duo working across the fields of industrial- and object design, space and creative direction.The studio was established by Patrick Henry Nagel and Nils Körner and we are based in Stuttgart, Germany.
Haus Otto © Julia Sang Nguyen
#1 How did the two of you meet and why did you decide to found Haus Otto together?
We met at the Art Academy in Stuttgart and started to collaborate on many projects right from the beginning. We realized we have a shared passion for design and complement each other well in our skills. So founding Haus Otto happened very organically, with self initialized projects that led to client based projects.
#2 You describe your work as creating ecosystems around furniture and objects. What do you see as the essence of a good ecosystem?
We believe that nowadays we have to think about products in a much greater context. Not only about how it looks like and which materials to use but also where do the materials come from and what happens with them afterwards. So our concept of a “Ecosystem“ is the idea of seeing a Product as a part of a greater system and also designing and shaping the system itself. This includes ways of dissembling the products so the different parts can be reused or recycled, product communication, or the context where the products are displayed. We also try to create new networks and collaboration for companies to share assets, services and resources and move closer to a “sharing“ economy and with it also reduce costs for companies. So a good ecosystem for us is where all the different elements intertwine.
#3 In your work, for example the Zooom Rug that serves as both a daybed and a rug, you are blending different product typologies together. How important is it for you to think beyond the usual design categories?
We never really thought about design in the usual design categories which is why the outcome of our work is very diverse and varies depending on the project. Also the „Inbetween“ for us is a very exciting place where new things can happen.
© Julia Sang Nguyen
About Zooom Rug
The Zooom Rug for Bottone serves as both a daybed and a super soft, bold rug. By bridging two product typologies, this rug, with its large weaving pattern, invites relaxation, power naps, and day-to-day use. By scaling up the structure of traditional weaving techniques, the rug playfully highlights one of the oldest methods of textile production while infusing it with a modern, cartoon-like aesthetic. Each pipe can be individually disassembled for easy repair and reprocessing.
#4 The materials you use in your work vary greatly in their strength, from hard materials like steel to soft materials like fabric. What is most important to you in the choice of materials for your projects?
We like to work with different materials and learn and challenge them in the process. Often something starts with a simple material study or a detail that fascinates us. We have a quite hands on approach and like to physically work with different materials and try to find interesting solution that could not be done in any other material and try to give it a new twist. So the material always depends on the individual project.
#5 You worked with other designers on a farm in southern Germany as part of the self-initiated Farm Project. Could you tell us a little bit about why you decided to create in this particular environment and how it influenced your work?
We’ve always been fascinated by farming and wanted to find an inspiring place and community to collaborate with—away from the hectic pace of everyday city life, where so many things are happening at once. The farm provided the freedom to focus, take our time, and learn from people with different expertise. It also gave us the opportunity to create work without predefined constraints or deadlines, allowing us to explore new materials and approaches.
At first glance, farming and design may seem unrelated, yet they share many fundamental values. In agriculture, circular systems, recycling, and a mindful use of resources are not new trends—they have always been an essential part of farming practice. This is why we began to view the farm not just as a site for food production, but as a broader model of production—one that can serve as a role model for us as designers.
© Nils Körner
About Traktor Chair
Inspired by the typology of a tractor and the functionality of shaker furniture from the early 1800´s the chair can be hung of the floor serving two purposes. First, to get the chair of the floor, making clean-up easy. Second, additional seating can be kept nearby and readily available without taking up space, which can be used in different spacial environments.
The chair is made out of aluminium parts which are connected through a simple construction, making it easy for repair and reprocessing, taking advantage of the good recycling properties of the material. Using a semi finished, standardized DIN Material, the chair is a playful interpretation of the the functional and optimized aesthetic of our times and used for small scale production.
It was developed as part of FARM a free and participatory art and design project in collaboration with the Hofgut Rimpertsweiler.
#6 What are you most looking forward to in the coming months regarding upcoming projects?
We will be exhibiting at 3daysofdesign in Copenhagen this June and at Maison & Object in Paris this September, both of which we are very much looking forward to. In addition to the exhibitions themselves, we’re excited to spend time in both cities, meeting interesting and inspiring people, and immersing ourselves in the vibrant atmosphere of each. It’s always a great opportunity to connect with other creatives and discover new ideas and collaborations.
#7 How do you see the role of an architect in today’s society?
We believe the role of an architect today is shifting towards sustainability and innovation. Like in product design, architects are increasingly focused on using new materials and systems to create more environmentally responsible solutions. The challenge is to minimize impact while shaping spaces that are both functional and sustainable.
#8 How does your environment influence your work?
A Lot. Which is why we always try to find ways to work form different places and get out of our studio and our usual and familiar environment. It can be very small everyday observations or conversations that lead to a new idea.
Photo 1-3 (from the left) © David Späth, Photo 4 (right) © Katarina Cirkovic
About Hold On for Dante - Goods and Bads
The upholstered wall hook creates a minimalist, horizontal storage platform and offers the possibility to attach your daily items to a wall using a quick, charming gesture. The hook can be vertically and horizontally attached to the wall and comes in various finishes.
#9 Three things that inspire you at the moment?
Going for a run in the park or hiking in the alps, being around passionate and exciting people, Farming, Deconstructing things – breaking down objects, ideas, or systems to understand their core components and see how they can be reassembled in innovative ways.
#10 What do you currently read, watch, listen to?
Read:
The Farm at Black Mountain College by David Silver, a book about the starting point and development of one of the most influential and progressive colleges between 1933 bis 1957 in the USA. Where many famous Artist and Designers where involved and are associated with, such as John Cage, Merce Cunningham, Willem de Kooning and Richard Buckminster Fuller.
Watch:
the new movie about the biography of Bob Dylan
Listen To:
AB Syndrom
Seville - Luiz Bonfá
© Haus Otto
About Stair Shelf
Stair Shelf Is a modular shelving system composed of rearrangeable, multifunktional parts. Alongside exhibitory functions, the modular parts can be used as seating objects or vertically adjustable plateaus enabling new perspectives for both the viewer and the viewed object. Stair shelf is part of the Office Z series. A collection of objects exploring the future of the workplace and contemporary society‘s needs and desires in the light of digitalization.
Links: Haus Otto
Instagram: @haus.otto
Photo Credits: © Julia Sang Nguyen, © Nils Körner, © Katarina Cirkovic, © Haus Otto, © David Späth
Interview by Loretta Pittino