Munich
It is difficult to sum up such a beautiful city and cultural oasis that offers sensory appeal of just about every kind imaginable. This post is an overview to a city well worth a visit of at least 5 days. In terms of when to visit, the weather is beautiful from May through the summer, and there’s also Oktoberfest in the fall!
Munich’s cityscape is recognized by one of the largest city parks in the world, The Englischer Garten (English Garden, named after the landscaping style). Visitors and locals can be found sunbathing in the green pastures among trees, pathways and the picturesque Kleinhesseloher Lake.
Famous for Oktoberfest, the beer in this Bavarian capital is seriously delicious. If you are not in Munich for the celebration, visit the Hofbräuhaus or a local beer garden to enjoy a fine selection of beer in oversized mugs.
Art lovers: museums are not to be missed. While there are dozens to choose from, The Haus der Kunst provides an excellent selection of rotating modern and contemporary exhibitions. Other contemporary galleries can be found closer to and around the University. Head to the Alte Pinakothek for works by European masters from the 14th to 18th centuries: Dürer, Titian, Rubens, Rembrandt and Tintoretto among others.
Food lovers: you must visit the Viktualienmarkt, or Victuals Market. This large, open-air market located in the city center has an abundance of fresh produce, flowers, seafood, herbs, wine, cheeses and freshly prepared meals.
So what else is there to love about Munich, and Germany overall? Bike lanes! Germany has designated bike lanes that are separate from the road and pedestrian sidewalks. Open air markets, biker friendly and safe, plus large green city parks equals healthy living in Munich (minus the beer and schnitzel, but it all balances out in the end).
Sleepover Tip: stay at Hotel Louis
Englischer Garten
Viktualienmarkt
Bavarian State Chancellery
Palace Nymphenburg
Palace Nymphenburg
Pagodenburg
Pagodenburg
Vica’s own Stefan Steil just received his Masters of Fine Arts in Interior Design from the New York School of Interior Design. His final thesis project is a thoughtful approach to the topic of mourning and burial of the dead.
Stefan says:
This project is a promessionarium composed of a set of interior spaces dedicated to the functions of mourning and caring for the dead. There are many interiors designed to accommodate mourners and this is an integral piece of this design problem, but the larger and more challenging problem is the recognition of death in an interior space, resulting in:
- Interior that evokes an equal, non-denominational feeling
- Interior space that conveys a spirit of tenderness and intimacy
- Space instills a deep sense of awe without inflicting god-fearing terror and pompous ceremonies
This process is reflected in the design which moves from dramatic to lyrical.
Sustainability became an integral part of the project in terms of rethinking the environmental impact of cremation. Green Walls, for example, have been incorporated as a new method of space-saving burial.
For more information, visit: www.stefansteil.com
Hall of Remembrance
Chapel Interior
Meadow walkway
Meadow
Chapel at night
SPOILER: Stefan traveled to 3 beautiful cities in Europe after his graduation commencement. A preview of his chosen destinations will arrive this week, and whomever guesses the right locations gets a lucky penny.
Selldorf Architects’ 200 Eleventh Avenue is nearing completion. Here is a video tour of a duplex.
200 Eleventh Avenue Duplex Tour, Courtesy of Urban Muse/Gaia House from Betty Elrod on Vimeo.
Video courtesy of Urban Muse/Gaia House.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Cube Chair
Pier 94, New York, NY - Vica (www.vicadesign.com) and its upholsterer, Baron (www.baronnyc.com), announce their debut at the Architectural Digest Home Design Show in New York, showing a collection of original and classic furniture designed for Vica by Annabelle Selldorf.
This year Vica and Baron have combined efforts to show more than a display of furniture; they want you to see you how it’s made. A representative from Baron will be constructing and upholstering a Vica Herbert Chair from start to finish during the show, giving visitors the opportunity to observe and ask questions about the materials, process, and reflect on the hand-crafted, custom quality created by both designer and craftsman.
Sustainability equals quality
In case you haven’t noticed, everyone is asking, “Where do you stand on sustainability?” Vica and Baron choose carefully vetted materials and pioneering and innovative manufacturing practices that deliver products that conform to the most stringent sustainable standards.
Beyond Architecture
Don’t miss Annabelle Selldorf on this design panel, Thursday, March 18, at 11 a.m. Ms. Selldorf and Alex P. Lamis will participate in a panel discussion about contemporary architecture and the growing trend of architects venturing beyond architecture into interior design and product design. Lamis and Selldorf will discuss their multidisciplinary design practices at length, with a special opportunity for Q&A following the presentation. Donald Albrecht of the Museum of the City of New York will moderate.
“A world of design inspiration awaits at the 9th Annual Architectural Digest Home Design Show. Explore the latest ideas and products for the home-from furniture and lighting to kitchens and baths.”
AD Home Design Show, 2010
ABOUT THE VICA COLLECTION
www.vicadesign.com
Vica is a collection of interior furnishings, lighting and objects by architect Annabelle Selldorf. The collection upholds the European tradition of hand workmanship and exceptional finishing in designs imbued with the edge and innovativeness of New York, her adopted home.
Selldorf’s ability to create distinctly modern, yet intimate, architecture and interior design attracts a loyal clientele, particularly artists, gallery owners, and art and antique collectors. The furniture designs reflect her love of fine materials, her high regard for balanced proportion and understated elegance, and a commitment to sustainable practices.
Vica also offers several furnishings by her father, Herbert Selldorf, a designer and architect. The company, Vica, was founded by Selldorf’s grandmother in the 1950s as an interior design studio based in Cologne.
ABOUT ANNABELLE SELLDORF
www.selldorf.com
Recognized on both sides of the Atlantic as a uniquely thoughtful and artful architect and designer, Annabelle Selldorf combines an understanding of European tradition and aesthetics with an American sense of energy and pragmatism. She was born and raised in Cologne, Germany, in a family that exposed her early on to the design world of buildings - as well as to the interior furnishings that complement them.
Selldorf Architects has established itself as a major international presence. The firm has received particular attention for its international cultural portfolio - including museums, galleries, studio spaces, art foundations, and the homes of numerous high-profile collectors. Other areas of significant completed work and expertise include commercial and retail, institutional, and high-end single- and multi-family residences
ABOUT BARON
www.baronnyc.com
Dennis Gonzalez: dennis@baronnyc.com
Baron is a second-generation custom upholstery and drapery manufacturer recognized for its museum-quality workmanship. Under the direction of owner Paul Baron von Urban, the Baron approach is rooted in time-honored European traditions and techniques known to produce heirloom furniture that lasts for generations.
Baron’s work is particularly noteworthy in today’s environment for its pioneering and innovative sustainable practices. Through an unwavering commitment to the idea that natural materials and environmentally effective practices can be combined with design, luxury, quality, and comfort, Baron has developed a completely unique process for creating furniture built to the highest environmental standards, unmatched in the industry.
The Maupin-Tonchi Residence, a Selldorf Architects interiors project, was featured in Spanish Architectural Digest’s April ‘09 issue. The text was written by Christina Giminez. The interiors were photographed by Manolo Yllera in zen-like silence. He used a digital camera and took long exposures, during which everyone stood still and held their breath. Can you tell that the rooms are illuminated only by natural light from the windows? No additional strobes or floodlights were brought in. Beautiful.
The Vica Herbert Chair in cream leather, and the Vica custom sectional sofa in dark purple velvet.
A Vica Dining Table with a back painted glass top and darkened brass base.
A new spread on this apartment has just come out in the June ‘09 issue of German Architectural Digest! The text was written by Margit J. Mayer. And the apartment was photographed by Todd Selby to the beat of Daft Punk from his assistant’s ipod.
The Vica Herbert Chair in cream leather, and the Vica custom sectional sofa in dark purple velvet.
BTW, Todd Selby has a very addictive blog of portraits and interiors, which he describes (on the blog) as “interesting people in their creative spaces”. I love to see what people collect, and to see people in their homes among all the clutter and trappings of daily life. www.theselby.com
Selldorf Architects Interior, photographed by Patrick Mulligan