Raw Edges transforms Vitra’s showroom into a colorful, playful space

After India Mahdavi’s installation inspired by the dream-like theme of Alice in Wonderland, it’s Shay Akalay and Yael Mer, the Israeli design duo behind Raw Edges, who curates the revamp of the loft space at the VitraHaus showroom in Weil am Rhein, Germany. Situated on the fourth floor of the Swiss firm’s flagship store designed by Herzog & de Meuron, the installation creates a colorful, cheerful interplay between living areas and workspaces and was designed with a busy, creative, and young family in mind.

“We have actually created a space for ourselves, for both of us and our two daughters. We want to show how a space can function equally well for parents and kids alike – for living, playing or working,“ said the design duo. Adopting their signature light-hearted approach in the use of colors, materials, and shapes, Raw Edges arranged the carefully selected Vitra and Artek furnishings and products in a pretty unique way, achieving a spontaneous, realistic, and above all happy environment.

Akalay-Mer laid great emphasis on playfulness and improvisation, so much so that they let their creativity take flight by exaggerating and reinterpreting the use and function of the products: a bathroom is expanded to contain a studio for color experiments, a group of Cork Stools become the base for a bed, and a collection of cushions and wooden items are dyed and displayed like hanging sculptures.

As per VitraHaus’ tradition, the furniture is presented as part of a lived-in environment rather than in a traditional showroom, and this time Raw Edges managed to create a space infused with joy where visitors are wrought up in childlike wonder and curiosity.