7 Questions for Anders Byriel
Anders Byriel is the International Friend of Habitare 2023. He is the CEO of the textile company Kvadrat, a professor at IE School of Architecture and Design in Madrid, and a passionate enthusiast of design, architecture and contemporary art. The International Friend visits Habitare and selects the most interesting phenomena and products from the offerings.
We asked seven questions from our new friend. Get to know Anders!
What are you looking forward to seeing and experiencing in Helsinki in September?
Togetherness, of course! I’m currently studying Finnish design, both the well-known and the new talents. I want to come prepared! I’m coming to Helsinki with an open mind and eyes. I also look forward to many good conversations. Truth be told, I’m coming back soon for a longer stay next year because my spouse, artist Miriam Bäckström, will be working there. So, I’ll be back to deepen my understanding of Finland even more!
What is your perception of Finland?
I think that Denmark, Sweden and Finland are very similar; we share a similar kind of energy. Finland might be the most important factor for us in terms of architecture; you have very interesting and fantastic work in that field. There’s something unique about Finland because you have a surprising connection to Japan. It’s interesting how much you share: attention to detail, craftsmanship, excellent materials, clear thinking and humane design.
What do you consider the strengths and weaknesses of Finnish design?
Finland is a superpower in design, and that’s why Finland should be more visible. Finland has a strong design heritage, perhaps even stronger than Sweden or Denmark. For the new generation of designers, it might be challenging to build something new given this legacy. I witnessed a similar phenomenon happening in Denmark couple decades ago. We talked about the shadow of the 1950s, and it was seen as an obstacle, or at least a hindrance to something new. Then a sort of design revolution started and is still ongoing, with many new talents entering the field and work being done globally. I believe Finland is on the verge of something similar. There’s potential; you just need to start the revolution.
If you could wish for something more in the world of design, what would it be?
We might be too organized and think we can program success. I would like to see more experimentation, the search for new things, exploration and self-stimulation. That’s what I want more of. I believe the entire design world would benefit from it.
Habitare focuses on living and homes. What does the future home look like?
I believe that in the future, living will be more sustainable. We’ll buy things that last a long time, things that our children can take to their own homes, and we’ll give new life to old items and use repair services. Personally, I love homes with layers, elements from different eras. I believe that in the future, we’ll create similar layers from past times while remaining curious about the new. This phenomenon also appears more broadly in society: we’re making room for the individual in our homes and in society.
Tell us about your design ideals – and perhaps your idols?
Oh, I see so many! Honestly, many of the designers we work with at Kvadrat are people I admire. So, we get to work with our idols! They might be more well-known designers, or they might still be emerging talents. Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, Peter Saville, Jonathan Olivares, Raf Simons… the list could go on indefinitely! They are all visionaries and it’s fascinating to watch them work.
Do we need more criticism or optimism?
We may not necessarily need criticism, but we need more discussions about design. We need to talk more and report less. I recently talked about a designer’s work with a young creative leader, and he frankly said that he found the work very boring. I liked that conversation! We come from different places, and we have different perspectives. It was very enriching to openly discuss the topic. I think we are too polite: it’s okay to challenge each other a bit, and we don’t have to agree. I would like to see more of that culture.
Anders Byriel is the International Friend of Habitare 2023. He is the CEO of the textile company Kvadrat, a professor at IE School of Architecture and Design in Madrid, and a passionate enthusiast of design, architecture and contemporary art. The International Friend visits Habitare and selects the most interesting phenomena and products from the offerings.