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 specifi c, 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 signifi
cance. 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.