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The new Markilux look

Current design offers plenty of scope to meet individual requirements

Professor Andreas Kramer is a freelance industrial designer and teaches computer-aided design at the University of The Arts in Bremen. He has worked closely with markilux in the development of their designs for the past 13 years.

Professor Kramer, you have made a decisive contribution towards the designs of markilux. An example is the markilux 6000 with its modular system, geared fully to individuality. markilux is now expanding this design. What can we expect from the new design?

As you correctly remarked, we have further developed the design. The markilux 6000 range is being extended by the addition of the 930 swing, a new open awning, and the 990, the successor model to the smallest markilux cassette awning the markilux 915. The design of both new models is very restrained, compact and reduced, but elegant and innovative at the same time. And, of course, in the highest quality. Both models match modern architectural trends perfectly. The markilux 5010 will also be launched on to the market in the new design. The successor to a classic, the 5005.

How would you describe its common design feature and what is the concept behind it?

I think the most common feature is its modern, timeless design which gives it an unmistakable and recognisable character. The artistic form concept uses simple and comprehensible elements that are easily recognised. Like the Apple iPod for example. As far as the basic concept is concerned, the individualisation aspect plays a large role. The concept as such offers an excellent solution that will suit all requirements. From an open to a closed system. From minimised and simple to extravagant and technically complex. In a certain way, the models build on each other with regard to technical comfort. The basic model is as it were the markilux 930 swing, followed by the 990, 6000 und 5010 cassette awnings.

Apart from the 930 swing, a further open awning system is to be launched on to the market, the markilux 1000. Available is a matching markilux system coverboard bearing the same hallmarks. What was the basic idea for this design?

The basic idea for this design was to show the awning with coverboard to its best advantage. The markilux 1000 presents the beauty of cover and technology in its purest form. Ideally, the coverboard should therefore be invisible; Plexiglas and aluminium components were used for this reason. This design concept is aimed at all those who value minimisation.

Cover and technology in their purest form, minimisation, that sounds somewhat like retro design – return to concepts and styles of times gone by. What signifi cance does „retro“ have for the design of today and tomorrow?

Retro design is a topic of much discussion and controversy in the design scene. This extends from it‘s always been around“ to „good design must always be new“. As far as the content is concerned, it‘s a matter of using existing, sometimes forgotten elements and re-interpreting them in a modern way. Ideally, this creates something new. Something the user can more easily identify with because he is already familiar with it. For example, the purchase of a „VW Beetle“ and its derivation „New Beetle“. I think that this concept has been very successful for both open awning systems.

Design is something dynamic. It is always an expression of the sign of the times and trends. Is there a current trend for patios and balconies, a „garden trend“?

I do not think there is a special garden trend. Moreover, individualisation is very important. Target groups are becoming smaller and more specific, so that demands on the products are becoming more diverse. It is noticeable that far more is being invested in gardens. Consumers are endeavouring to landscape their gardens on a par with their living space. Designs and styles are also increasing in significance. For example the feng-shui garden. The boundary between indoors and outdoors disappears. Shading systems play a very special role in this area. In fact these lie precisely on this imaginary border: A building or a garden? Should the cover match the living room or the fl ower bed? Should the awning match the architecture of the building or the garden? The aim is to observe general living trends and to integrate these concepts into modern sun protection.

To what extent is the timelessness aspect of importance in this context and what does timeless design mean to you?

What we today regard as timeless is how we perceive time: Practical functionality, minimisation, sustainability and innovation, to name but a few examples. To a certain extent, it is also a trend, only one that lasts somewhat longer. As a shading system normally has a long life cycle, the timelessness aspect is certainly important. The fact is that an awning is not something that is readily changed. It should harmonise and blend in with the façade. For this reason, markilux decided to orientate itself towards contemporary architecture and design. And precisely this is what the current design refl ects with its artistic concept of form.