They form the foundation of our agency: We walk, stand, and work on the floors designed by Danish artist Malene Bach, take breaks, and network. The flooring at Compresso not only looks particularly beautiful but also reflects our network concept. Design is capable of connecting, as Malene Bach explains in the interview:
How is design able to connect people with each other?
I always involve my surroundings in my work, with the intention of connecting people to the place where they are. Identification with the place, being aware of where you are, contributes to a collective consciousness and identity. By giving architecture a new dimension and quality through art, we manage to communicate in a new way, on different levels. At the same time, we can reflect and discuss while we work.
What do you find special about the agency building in Zollikon?
As soon as you enter the building, the view immediately captivates you. Through the large window fronts and the surroundings: the lake, the railway tracks, the roofs, the eighties houses. All of this seems incredibly close when you’re sitting in the agency – almost as if the different views were part of the offices.
You create visual art. What inspired you for the floors in the agency building?
I chose a color palette that reflects the surroundings of each floor. The color design on each corridor is based on the color that dominates on that particular floor. The green of the trees and grass, the blue of the lake and sky, the brown of the beaver tail tiles from the neighboring house. The yellow brings warmth and light into the rooms – like gold or the sun.
What material is the floor made of?
For the color, we used a glazing technique that we developed specifically for this project. By adding a small amount of color to the transparent medium, we were able to apply the glaze in very transparent layers, so that the quality of the material is still visible. This makes the color appear “very honest”: You can see what the floor is made of and how it was created, the large surface feels open and immediately develops a patina.
What is the main difference between working on architectural buildings and working on artworks?
When you study the surroundings of a house, the history, the architecture, the culture, the ideas and concepts for each project are very different because they relate to that specific place. This includes the materials used and the collaboration with the architect and craftsmen. Function obviously plays a role. When I work on an artwork in my studio, materials, proportions, and techniques are relevant, but not context-bound. This results in a bit more freedom, also in terms of time frame. I can try things very quickly – or very slowly. The size of the artworks is more abstract, these works are left more to the imagination.
At Compresso in Zollikon, various communication agencies work under one roof. How important are communication and networking in your work?
Communication is an important part of my work. It is essential for people to understand why something makes a difference and what it can contribute to a place – or to the world in general. In collaborations, communication is extremely important because you can only move forward together. I always have to explain a process and an idea so that the other person recognizes the potential that arises when you bring together different knowledge and perspectives to create something new. That’s why networking is so important.
