Tom Kundig of Olson Kundig is designing Outpost Basel, an architectural pavilion created for the Collectors Lounge at Design Miami/ Basel, Switzerland, June 16 – 21, 2015. Outpost Basel brings together diverse geographic, material and cultural elements from America, Japan, Austria and Romania to create a high-design space made from everyday materials.
Kundig plays with the idea of being an outsider, bringing a collection of highly contrasting influences and functions, which he unifies to make a harmonious and inspirational space. An idea of yin-yang will run throughout, shown through the interplay of shaded and well lit areas, dark and light materials, as well as space for refuge and for being seen. The result will be an enjoyable retreat in which to reflect on the design fair, meet friends or just relax.
From a distance, Outpost Basel will appear to be a simple dark cube at the west point of the exhibition hall, playing a subtle role within the vast Messe Halle. But as visitors walk closer, they will see the textures and complexity of the structural design. Guests will be welcomed by hosts, who will roll open an iron-wheeled ‘X’ door, to reveal a vibrant inner sanctum of lounge and restaurant areas.
Tom Kundig works with commodity materials to create this high-design space from re-purposed structural elements, in a continuation of his love of ‘hot-rodding’. These include wood formwork and bricks generously supplied by innovative Austrian company Schweighofer. Two distinct adjoining volumes, one semi-open space and one a taller solid box made of wood bricks, together form Outpost. A tribute to the 10th Anniversary of Design Miami/ Basel in the form of a repeated X- shaped pattern will wrap the exterior of Outpost Basel.
Tom Kundig said: “It’s a great honor to make this space for Design Miami/, and to work in Basel, Switzerland. We each carry many influences with us—both my parents are Swiss, although I am American. With Outpost, I wanted to explore this idea through bringing different elements together in Basel. I like to mix old techniques and robust materials with innovative methods of making, so there will be crafted ironwork from Seattle, and amazing wood from Austrian firm Schweighofer.”
The design of Outpost Basel is adventurous yet grounded, the interiors both intricate and bold. The innovative use of space in the Collectors Lounge allows Outpost to play host to a variety of activities, including the Design Talks, a series of panel and one-on-one discussions with the leading lights of the design world; a bar serving fine champagne from Perrier-Jouët and a restaurant where guests can regroup and refuel before continuing their exploration of the fair. Collectors will be able to work, talk and relax in Outpost Basel, experiencing a microcosm of the Olson Kundig world, and the distinctive design approach of Tom Kundig.
@olsonkundig #OutpostBasel