Interview with Christoph Piffer

Christoph Piffer ("CP") interviewed on Monday, 19 March.

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?

CP : I studied interior Design in an HTL from 1997 to 2001, than i worked in a design office for 10 years, besides i studied law and changed than in the family office in the year 2011. Since this time i worked for a lot of companies in the interior design range as well as in the normal arcitecture part. One of the best projects is the hotel Puradies in Leogang. There we made a unique Bar, which is awarded all over the globe.

How did you become a designer?

CP : Because i wanted to make things you can grap. Lasting things, timeles pieces. When i'm retiered, i wish i can sit anywhere and thing about the things i made, houses, projects and so on. not to sit there and only have a lot of contracts made.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

CP : I like working with natural matrials, especially wood. Old Wood and oak. And therefore it is most important, that you know how to work with, because also the wood works with you. So you have to take care and be flexible. Than there are computer plans, mock ups, also physical models, and so on. Becaus no visiual, nothing on the computer can match a physical model.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

CP : It depends on the project and on what is needed. When you have a client who wishes a unique piece, than its realy emotional, because we try to get out everything and do make it complex as possible, bute in the optics easy and elegant as needed, just to get sure, nowone can copy it easily.

What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?

CP : The family office from my parents, and the school i visited.

What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?

CP : I made a lot of things already, but the most important things for me i would like to do is a skyscraper and a crematorium

What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?

CP : Just try everything, with every failure you learn, you will get experience. Failiures are ok, but only once, never make the same mistake a second time. Learn out of it, and try the impossible!

You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?

CP : Learn the materials you work with, because every piece, every function requests the right material.It's still possiple to make things out of different materials, but you will see, every design has his own and unique material. if you find it, it will be amazing.

What is your day to day look like?

CP : What is the day look like, somtimes organized, and sometimes totaly chaotic. so also here, every day is special.

How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?

CP : To be on top, i visit exepitions, read magazines, homepages, etc..... but i do not give anything on trends. I work on my on style, without consideration to trends or trendy materials. Because trends come and leave, but my design should last over.

How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?

CP : It's a feeling, when i'm finished and i'm happy with it, than its good. When i'm not happy with, it's not finished yet.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

CP : Same before. when i'm happy with and proud to say this is design by me, than it's finished, otherwise it lasts longer.

What is your biggest design work?

CP : The biggest Design work for me is the Bar "Freiraum" in the Hotel Puradies. because its something unique. and was realy difficult to handle, because its made out of wood, only wood, massiv wood. and the most difficult thing was to get the "working of the wood" into this design.

Who is your favourite designer?

CP : There are lots of, but i do prefere the old ones. Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Le Corbusier, Walter Gropius,....

Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?

CP : I'm a clean an strict person, i like it straight, white, clean, etc....Bt when i design things it's totaly chaotic in my office, sheets all over, sketches, materials, models,.... looks like working in a bomb. Creative chaos. But when i'm finished, than i clean up the office, and no one can see anything anymore. Just the finished Design, Product.

Would you tell us more about your work culture and business philosophy?

CP : I work in Our office, and it's easy to work, because i like what i do. and thats the most important thing for a disigner. To like what you do, to love the challange, the get new experiences, etc....

What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?

CP : I try to make practicle things. Usefull Designs, not only beautiful or exclusive. You can you everything and it's alwasy practical. Because "died in beauty" is no option.

What positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?

CP : It's an amazing feeling, because it's not only the honour of the client and people who uses my design, it's a statemnent of exclusive Design. Just to made some things right.

Christoph Piffer Profile