The Dwelling Lab: BMW’s Latest Artist And Designer Collaboration

BMW undertook a unique project to showcase their new 5-Series Gran Turismo at this year’s Salone Internazionale del Mobile in Milan. Adrian van Hooydonk, BMW’s design director had a chance meeting with Anders Byriel, CEO of Kvadrat. Van Hooydonk is a long time admirer of Kvadrat and suggested collaborating on a project that would explore new ideas of how textiles integrate with vehicle interiors. Patricia Urquiola and Giulio Ridolfo were invited to design the installation.

Urquiola’s idea was to emphasize the interior of the car by extending the space outward. She established four cones or what she calls ‘diamonds’ that radiate out from the car’s interior like geometric sound waves.

Usually we perceive cars from the outside, and then the inside follows. However, our direct interaction is with the inside: it is the core that protects and comforts us, the space in direct contact with our bodies and our functions and needs in the process of travelling. I investigated this interface and tried to understand the possible evolution as a softer, dwelling experience.

The interior is wrapped in Kvadrat’s “Max” fabric in a custom color. Urquiola has never created an interior for a vehicle before and wanted to create a visual balance between soft shapes and engineering geometry. Beyond the surface design Urquiola included a few special practical design elements. As a mom herself, she created a special child seat for the BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo and designed holders for baby bottles that are a part of the array of compartments and fittings on the backs of the two front seats.

Both BMW and Kvadrat have a tradition in supporting collaborations with artists and designers. Currently BMW is working with artist Jeff Koons on their next art car which will debut at the 24 hours of Le Mans endurance race later this June.

[via automotto]
BMW
Kvadrat