BUILDING ON CHARACTER

For Till Weber, designing a showroom is as much about reacting and listening as it is about creating. And the industrial, high-ceilinged Copenhagen showroom offered an interesting canvas:

“It always starts with scouting a location to find a space with spirit, with its own character even. To me, reacting to a building’s character often leads to more profound design solutions than creating something entirely new,” he explains.

“We also listen to the local teams who work in these spaces. What are their needs? How does the workflow function? Our showrooms are not just about aesthetics or product presentation —they’re homes for our teams. Balancing their functional needs with what the space calls for in terms of furniture layout and fittings is a key part of the process.”

“At lot of our work also goes into finding the right material palette as well as the right colour palette, and these can be very different from showroom to showroom.”

JOYFUL COLOURS

Vitra’s showrooms are synonymous with vibrant colour palettes, and Copenhagen is no exception. Till Weber’s philosophy revolves around “painting with objects,” combining bold furniture and textile hues to create dynamic spaces. From a sunny yellow partnering with deep violet to the interplay of warm reds and peachy tones, the colour schemes are both playful and strategic.

“The Vitra brand is known for being colourful, but I think we are also joyful. It’s an aspect that is, in my opinion, sometimes underestimated. The way we deal with spaces involves layers of products and functionality, but we also try to add elements you can discover—joyful details, like little stories or fun colour combinations.”

“To ensure an interesting, joyful palette is something my team and I prioritise in all our projects. That’s where I feel we create a very strong identity for Vitra. For example, even if we specify textiles for a sofa, like this violet, we make sure it finds an interesting partner in the yellow curtains and chairs over there. Some might think yellow and violet are quite a crazy combination, but they complement one another.” Till Weber explains.

“I also feel the sunny yellow has a light, energetic quality that suits Nordic countries, especially during the darker times of the year,” he adds.

CURTAINS AS ROOM DIVIDERS

Textiles, including curtains, play a pivotal role in the Vitra Copenhagen showroom. Fischer Gardiner created the curtains, incorporating several custom-curved AP 5001 curtain tracks from Stilling, hung from wire supports in the high-ceilinged space. The curtain tracks are custom-coloured in a beautiful silk grey, perfectly matching the sheer fabrics from KURAGE in light shades of blue, grey white, and bright yellow. Together, these elements create several “rooms” within the space.

“The curtains add an organic flow, floating through the space. They give us the opportunity to change the layout easily, thanks to Stilling’s curtain track systems. We can be more playful—opening, closing, or even changing the colours or thickness of the fabric to close off an area completely. They’re more cost-effective and flexible than traditional partitions,” Till Weber notes.

MOMENTS OF RECREATION

The innovative use of Stilling curtain tracks enhances the showroom’s flexibility, with the flowing wavecurtains serving not only as room dividers but also as aesthetic elements creating calm:

“Curtains help introduce a human scale to industrial spaces like this,” Till Weber says.

“Their transparency provides privacy without isolation, creating a cosy, almost domestic atmosphere. We still feel as though we’re sitting in separate rooms, even with colleagues just metres away. Curtains give us privacy, much like we need at home for moments of recreation.”

CUSTOM COLOURED CURTAIN TRACKS

The bespoke silk grey lacquer finish of the tracks complements the overall design, providing a subtle yet impactful accent.

“The tracks are not only flexible in terms of function but also in their colour. For us, it was important that the coating of the tracks be silk grey, not just white. They add a subtle accent—a horizontal line below the technical infrastructure that helps to define the ceiling height, creating a sense of calm.

“We could have chosen a bold colour palette for the tracks, like red. In a hotel, you might select a strong interior scheme with tracks in a matching bold colour. But silk grey complements all the different curtain colours, furniture designs, and changing layouts. If we were to remove all the curtains for a large event, the tracks would still not interfere visually. This understated colour choice is, for us, more sustainable.”

SUSTAINABLE DESIGN

Made from 100 % recycled aluminium, Stilling’s AP 5001 curtain tracks align perfectly with Vitra’s sustainability ethos. From sourcing post-consumer recycled plastics to prioritising long-lasting designs, Vitra’s commitment is evident. The new modular Anagram sofa, showcased in the Copenhagen showroom, exemplifies this approach. Designed for disassembly and recycling, it reflects Vitra’s dedication to a circular economy. The sofa is partly made from recycled aluminium.

“We focus on sustainable and responsible materials, but we also emphasise enduring products,” Till Weber explains. “You’d never throw away an Eames chair—you’d sell it or pass it on to the next generation. I believe design should be made to last, reducing waste and fostering a legacy of quality.”

CEILING INSTALLATIONS

Till Weber notes that the design of Stilling’s curtain track is similarly enduring:

“The track we have chosen is minimal, slim and graphical. At the same time, it’s a functional, constructive profile with different options to suspend it. Curtain tracks define a space in a very simple way, which I find intriguing.”

“Curtain tracks are like an infrastructure layer, but their lines are beautiful—especially the curved ones. They’re so precise, like a little ceiling installations of artwork.”

A DUAL NARRATIVE

Till Weber identifies two prevailing trends in interiors: the rise of natural, earthy palettes and a bold embrace of eclectic, experimental styles.

“Some spaces call for calm, neutral tones—brick, terracotta, sandy hues—while others thrive on daring combinations of colours and patterns.”

“Besides our more vibrant colours, there’s a demand from clients for natural, elegant palettes, which we also cater to. This duality allows us to speak to diverse aesthetics while maintaining a core identity.” Till Weber concludes.

ABOUT VITRA

Vitra is a family-run company, now in its third generation, pursuing a cultural and ecological mission alongside its commercial interests. Vitra believes that environments shape our thoughts and feelings and works every day to improve surroundings through the power of good design.

A family business for over 80 years, the Swiss company collaborates with leading designers to develop innovative products and concepts for contemporary home and office environments. Joining a portfolio of furniture classics by Jean Prouvé, Charles and Ray Eames, George Nelson, and Verner Panton, these products are used worldwide to build inspirational spaces for living and working.

The Vitra Campus, with buildings by some of the world’s leading architects, and the Vitra Design Museum, with its exhibitions and archives, inspire visitors and create an atmosphere in which innovation flourishes.

ABOUT TILL WEBER

Till Weber has an extensive background in architecture and design. He has worked as an architect and project manager for various firms before joining Vitra as Creative Director of Interiors & Scenography. In his role, Till Weber oversees interiors, scenography, colours, and fabrics, working closely with renowned designer Hella Jongerius. Their experience includes projects in furniture design, showroom architecture, and campus design. Till Weber holds a Diplom Ingenieur degree in Architecture from Technische Universität Darmstadt.