289 WW #12 Vitra; VitraHaus

Lastly I would like to introduce this fantastic place; Vitrahaus. Designed by internationally famous firm from local Basel, Herzog & de Meuron. This is the latest architecture built in Vitra Camps, and the structure is quite unique as well as other former masterpieces. As you see in the first picture the Haus is composed by 12 identical houses stacked up in different angle. Each houses has beautiful showroom furnished with sophisticated Vitra products. 

The first impression of the building to me was unbelievable and enjoyable. It was as though a set of houses were fallen from the sky one day--- like "Oz" or SF comedy. It was the most playful architecture I've ever seen. But the unique shape had an important meaning. The guide explained to me the 12 houses faced each direction and overall they made a kind of "circle" so that people could see all around the area from inside through each windows. Thinking of the area which was along the borders of Germany, Switzerland and France, the concept is important because "Open to every direction" is a clear statement of cosmopolitanism in design. It brilliantly makes sense to an international company like Vitra, along with the idea of combining outstanding architects from all over the world.