Silvio Rebholz

Silvio Rebholz is a German designer currently residing in Lausanne, Switzerland. His practice integrates various media related to design, including objects, videos, interviews, public installations, and research. He is lecturing at ABK Stuttgart, taught Design for Sustainability at ECAL and EPFL and gives lectures and workshops at numerous design schools across Europe.

Design
Silvio is dedicated to exploring unconventional ideas and transforming them into practical product solutions. His work aims to create sensitive and compelling products that align with the environmental and social considerations of our modern society. Silvio finds great satisfaction in tackling projects that involve unique contexts and evoke meaningful interpersonal interaction. He operates within clearly defined values that prioritize environmental sustainability and embrace diversity.

Journalism with Design
Over the past years, Silvio has specialized in leveraging his product design know-how within the realm of video interview formats. The decline of linear television has brought substantial changes in the niche of TV set designs, and opening up for new opportunities. As a result of these reflections, his inaugural interview series, „On the way to work with…,“ received the Swiss Design Award in 2022 and was followed by „The Salone Pick-up“ at the Milan Furniture Fair 2023.

Silvio works in collaborative working processes. Through an open dialogue, he offers services from conception to development and final implementation. Regardless of the final formulation of the project, be it research, a surprising design solution or an engaging interview project, Silvio seeks always to establish a clear and meaningful essence that impacts daily life and social interaction of the people involved.

Feuerwerkspieler

2023

40 x 55 x 25 cm
Stainless steel, glass, PLA
Commissioned by Mono

Sven Serkis

Sven Serkis

Sven Serkis

Nadia Morozewicz

Sven Serkis

Sven Serkis

Feuerwerksspieler is designed to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Mono tea product line. In a coordinated choreography, tiny explosions ignite as a gentle and delicate fireworks display under the glass domes of Mono Tea, the most striking elements of Tassilo von Grolman's design classic.

First sketch

Similar to a record player, Feuerwerkspieler tries to enhance the ambiance of it surroundings in a pleasing way.

Fireworks during the opening at Lobe Block in Berlin

Unlike ordinary fireworks that seek to impress with their power and strength, I tried to give this tabletop firework a modest character while still retaining the elements that fascinate: Sparks, smoke and the smell of burnt black powder. The object is designed to repeat the show as many times as desired after recharging the firework magazines.

The technical set-up was designed in collaboration with pyrotechnician Ruben Günther.

Fabian Frinzel

Mono factory visit

The object was designed along with nine other works. All participants were invited to deconstruct, recontextualize, play with and intervene in the materials of the Mono teapots and their iconic appearance to develop new perspectives on the design classic.

The Salone Pick-up

2023

Videos will be released soon

Supported by ECAL
Graphics and animations Flaitz Rother
Camera Jasmine Deporta
Sound design Ben El Halawany

Interviews with
Jonathan Olivares, Erwan Bouroullec, Ineke Hans, David Glaettli, Anniina Koivu and Klemens Schillinger

Marvin Merkel / ECAL

Marvin Merkel / ECAL

Marvin Merkel / ECAL

Marvin Merkel / ECAL

The Salone Pick-up was a interview show hosted and streamed live from Milan Furniture Fair 2023. I picked up designers and curators on the fairground to start a travelling interview on the way to the Salone Pick-up booth at Salone Satellite.

Marvin Merkel / ECAL

Streaming device

While walking through the halls and the booths of the fairground, questions challenged the guests by asking for their views on how the future generation of designers can meet today’s big challenges.

Marvin Merkel / ECAL

Booth at Salone Satellite

For this show I designed a camera vehicle which provided everything needed to film the interview on the go, but also adds character to the show and is a disruptive element on the fairground.

The object's main function is to broadcast an interview while walking, which allows me to have different conversations and show aspects of the world's largest design fair by simply allowing us to walk past normally hidden areas or parking lots.

Flaitz Rother

2023

Paper, beeswax
Family of six sizes
For NOV Gallery, Geneva
Supported by Ikea Foundation Switzerland

Louis Victorin Michel

Louis Victorin Michel

Louis Victorin Michel

Louis Victorin Michel

Louis Victorin Michel

Louis Victorin Michel

Louis Victorin Michel

The Dip series consists of six vases in different sizes. Made of paper and beeswax, it is a completely natural and fully biodegradable product.

The light transmission of the paper is increased by the beeswax.

Dip combines the structural tension and absorbency of paper with the adhesive and sealing properties of beeswax. In the production process, cnc cut paper is dipped in liquid beeswax to form light yet strong paper vases. When filled with water, the vases can easily hold far overhanging flowers.

Custom made pot to dip large formats

Within a single step, the assembled paper structure is fused and sealed together creating a waterproof composite material.

Cnc cutting and writing process

2022

6 x 6 x 6 cm
Beeswax

The Upgrade candle holder is made of beeswax and fits standard-sized stick candles. In addition to a sturdy stand, it has some upgrades to offer: While burning, the candle and holder merge to form a singular candle with an extended burn duration and a natural beeswax scent.

2022

26 x 12 x 12 cm
Various materials
Designed with the Yamaha Design Lab

Jasmine Deporta

Jasmine Deporta

Jasmine Deporta

Jasmine Deporta

Jasmine Deporta

Jasmine Deporta

Jasmine Deporta

Jasmine Deporta

Jasmine Deporta

Younès Klouche

Spezi is a home speaker developed together with the Yamaha Design Lab that interacts between multiple music-playing devices. Where normally disconnecting a device and connecting to another is a common issue with wireless sound systems, this speaker allows a connection with four channels simultaneously.

Younès Klouche

A whiteboard surface allows easy and joyful labeling of the four channels

The volume of each channel can be adjusted by lifting the corresponding antenna, which also gives visual feedback on its volume. By overlaying channels, transitions in between songs from different devices become possible and turn the speaker into a music mixer.

The starting point for the project was my experience as a low-tech DJ at house parties, where I used one phone to play the music and another to pre-select the next song. Here I wished to be able to connect both phones to the speaker at the same time.

On the way to work with…

2021

Series of six video interviews
Duration 3-4 minutes
Graphic design Nina Flaitz
Sound design Ben El-Halawany
Camera Chloé Adelheim, Paul Rees

On display:
Trailer Camille Blatrix
Trailer Wataru Kumano, Inga Sempé, Joerg Boner
Episode Joerg Boner
Episode Connie Huesser
Episode Christian Kaegi

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Nina Flaitz

On the way to work with… is a series of video interviews, in which I accompany outstanding cultural professionals on their way to work. For each interview, I design vehicles and objects adjusted to the guests’ way of commuting.

Film still from the interview with Connie Huesser

In this transition period between private and professional life, the bespoke objects help to create surprising interview situations and to serve as camera set-ups to capture the conversation on the go. With the objects, I force myself and the guests into situations in which we have to trust each other in order to overcome a staged interview setting.

Object for Joerg Boner

In all objects, my aim is to create a special relationship between myself and the guests that ultimately results in trustful and engaging conversations. By, for example, learning together to ride a tandem or simply being able to move through the guests’ neighborhood without a big film crew, I want to reduce the feeling of being on stage.

Interview portrait with Inga Sempé

For the first season, interviews have been realized with Inga Sempé, Joerg Boner, Christian Kaegi, Connie Huesser, Wataru Kumano and Camille Blatrix.

Interview portrait with Christian Kaegi

2020

15 × 12 × 28 cm
Steel, aluminium, glass fibre wick

Noé Cotter

Noé Cotter

Noé Cotter

Noé Cotter

Noé Cotter

Noé Cotter

Nowadays, open flames are used almost exclusively for parties and romantic evenings. But the excellent lighting properties of a flame are also suitable for everyday situations and are attracting increasing interest as an alternative to electric lighting.

Functional mock-up

In times of climate crisis, energy shortages and light pollution, oil lamps, when powered by vegetable oil, offer a sustainable alternative to portable battery lamps.

Selection of functional and visual prototypes

Oellamp is designed to be used at home for reading and ambient light.

TV Studio Sets

2021

Research project investigating the aesthetics and design parameters of TV studio sets

Compiled in an article, a scrapbook and seven interviews with professionals working in the field of TV studio set designs


›TV Studio Sets – A space between reality and fiction‹ is a research project, looking into the unique design parameters of TV studio sets. This extensive investigation into a barely documented field of the design world, was supported by numerous conversations with practicing TV set designers.

Article and scrapbook publication

The starting point of this project was my fascination for the unusual aesthetics of TV studio sets, where news, talk or game shows are broadcast. Looking deliberately at the designs, it is striking how unusually they are shaped: Elaborately curved sofas or LEDs highlighting the edges of a desk are standard elements in TV shows, but rarely found in objects that surround us. Remarkably, these exceptional elements aren’t isolated cases but repeat across show and broadcast genres and national borders.

Although TV studio sets challenge my general understanding of design and aesthetics, it seems that other approaches are possible from a product designer’s point of view. This has piqued my interest in exploring this topic in more depth.

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Couch from the set of The Oprah Winfrey Show in Harpo Studios, design by Dakota Jackson

In order to gain insight into this barely documented field of design, I spoke to seven people who have all worked as TV studio designers themselves or in close collaboration with them all around the world.

Holiday Chair

2020

79 x 68 x 76 cm
Pine, textile
In collaboration with Maxwell Ashford

Lisa Mazenauer

Lisa Mazenauer

Lisa Mazenauer

Originally designed and made during quarantine period, the Holiday Chair looks to achieve lounge comfort without the environmental cost of foam and for a low price. Referencing the director chair typology of gaining flexibility through fabric, we aimed on creating a lot from a little. The frame is made up of three profiles all with 90º angle cuts, other than one angled cut on the armrests. The chair flat-packs to a box form and assembles by 12 bolts.

Referencing the director chair typology of gaining flexibility through fabric, we aimed on creating a lot from a little.

What Shall We Eat This Time?

2020

Edition of 25 stools, trays and a trolley
Commissioned by WSWETT & Weissenhofmuseum Stuttgart

Julia Schäfer & Ann-Kathrin Müller

Nathalie Brehmer

Julia Schäfer & Ann-Kathrin Müller

Nathalie Brehmer

Nathalie Brehmer

Nathalie Brehmer

Nathalie Brehmer

Nathalie Brehmer

Nathalie Brehmer

What Shall We Eat This Time, a research-based project of Ann-Kathrin Müller and Julia Schäfer, is based on two cookbooks written by Dr. Erna Meyer in 1931 and 1936. Erna Meyer was involved in the Werkbund exhibition in Stuttgart in 1927 and emigrated to Palestine in 1933. Her recipes reveal the political upheaval of two states. By cooking and eating, WSWETT examines the formation of cultural identities through the process of food preparation.

Julia Schäfer & Ann-Kathrin Müller

WSWETT dishes

For the exhibition dinner evenings at the Weissenhof Gallery in Stuttgart, I designed a furniture system which emphasizes a communal and vivid food experience. Guests could get a filled tray at a counter and attach it to the stool they like. Each unit serves one person, so guests could arrange them to variable forms.

Hack during the event

2019

75 x 30 x 45 cm
Pine

Tablec coffee table is entirely made out of pine. All connections are made with dowels, which play an integral role in the design and therefore are exposed all over the piece.

Producing a private commission in my Gradfather's old workshop

Azita Candles

2019

Wax, cotton wick
In collaboration with Claire Wildenhues & Karl Becker
Catering Claire Wildenhues
Music BWL

Teimaz Shahverdi

Teimaz Shahverdi

Teimaz Shahverdi

Teimaz Shahverdi

Teimaz Shahverdi

Teimaz Shahverdi

For the launch of Candle 7 in the Azita store in Frankfurt, I created a series of single piece candles. They were developed and made on sight in the days before the event.

Opening vernissage at Azita Store Frankfurt

Candle 7

2018

20 × 4 × 20 cm
Soy wax, cotton wick
Self-produced and sold at Vitra House, Okro Gallery and Walther König

Sara Bastai

Sara Bastai

Sara Bastai

Sara Bastai

Sara Bastai

Candle 7 refers to the classic candle holders with multiple arms. Each of the four sections burns differently due to the different diameters of the candle.

Julia Nguyen

Production process

I'm fascinated by the simple function and strong symbolism of candles. They’ve been around for around 40,000 years and even the invention of electricity hasn't been able to challenge their existence. Around 2017, I started making candles as birthday presents and since then, I’ve never really stopped.

Julia Nguyen

Take Away

2018

150 × 230 × 40 cm
Galvanized metal
Commissioned by Nachtsichtfestival
Permanently installed at the campus of ABK Stuttgart

Pia Heer

Pia Heer

Pia Heer

Pia Heer

Pia Heer

Take Away is a bench made from folded 4 mm galvanised sheet metal. Originally designed for a music and arts festival, visitors could sit down and relax as a snack would do on the counter of a fast-food restaurant.

Inspiration

Patrick Juncker

Nachtsichtfestival at Eiermann Campus, Stuttgart

Campus ABK Stuttgart

Wasserbank

2018

170 × 210 × 60 cm
Wood, screws
In collaboration with Mark Bohle

Wasserbank is situated in a small lake in the Black Forest. It was built in a day, while staying in a cabin near the lake with friends. The feeling of sitting so close to the water is very pleasant.