On the occasion of the 17th edition of the Architecture Biennale in Venice, May 18, 2021 Hermès unveils the new project of artist showcases realized with Dutch designers of Studio Mieke Meijer for the stores in San Marco 1292.
How will we live together? The theme of the Biennale 2021 is the starting point for a reflection on themes that have always been dear to Hermès: the responsible use of resources, the longevity of products, the possibility of repairing the objects created, the use of natural materials. These are the “Fundamental” values that the young designer duo from Eindhoven translated into three-dimensional architectural structures, representing innovation in the field of sustainable construction. The installation is made for the Hermès store windows and will interact with a selection of symbolic objects from the Maison.
“We designed these structures already thinking about their future reuse” explains Studio Mieke Meijer.” In this way, at the end of the project we avoid producing waste.”
Founded by Mieke Meijer and Roy Letterlé, Studio Mieke Meijer works in the field of architecture and design, with a focus on sustainable and modular housing solutions. For the installation in Venice, Studio Mieke Meijer created a pyramid in hemp clay and an arched
structure made of layers of rammed earth and panels with cork and beech wood. Moreover, each structure is made of biodegradable polymers generated by 3D printers that are all perfectly recyclable and already destined for future projects.
“Hermès has always been committed to the elimination of waste and the maximization of recycling in all phases of production. The creation of ephemeral installations – such as window displays – has for years now confronted us with the problem of reusing materials,” adds Francesca di Carrobio, CEO of Hermès Italy.
All stages of production are done with the use of local materials and savoir-faire methods. The sustainability is a theme dear to our Maison that, ahead of its time, has positioned itself as a sustainable company since 1837. Where, “the artisan devotes the necessary time, without skipping any step, to ensure quality and perfection, without neglecting any detail giving equal importance to the outside and the inside.”
With its sustainability initiatives, Hermès aims to leave a positive footprint on the planet and share its successes with the communities and places where it operates. The men and women of Hermès are artisans of sustainable development.
