Material Tendencies: Alfredo Häberli

Having shared his thoughts on the need for more sensitivity and tactility in this extremely fast, digital world of ours, Häberli’s response to our question about which single material he would elect to work with if he could choose only one was no less surprising.

Alfredo Häberli: Wood is one of the most fantastic materials ever. It is an ecological material, as it grows again. With wood you can do whatever you want. You can make bowls, cutlery, a chair… You can build a house! Also, I like the natural patina that wood receives, being outdoors or indoors.

Do you use digital libraries?

Yes, I do use it, but I think it is important to know the background and not only look at the image. I have 40 metre of books. I know every page, every image, and I know the history very well. If I read something, I know it afterwards. If I just look at it, I will not remember, because it is too fast and too superficial, in a way.

Does evolving technology affect your work?

It does help throughout the whole process. But the first steps are still the same for me. The sketching, the model-making, the prototypes. It is a slow process until you really have a very clear idea. I think one of the most beautiful moments is when you are in an empty space with a white piece of canvas and you need to do something with it. For me, it is still like searching for ideas on the kitchen table.