IN CONVERSATION WITH IRIA DEGEN
“ Interior design is in my blood .”
upholstered furniture accentuate a sense of comfort, both psychologically and acoustically. I recommend direct lighting at the best way of managing light: a reading light and a standard lamp provide warm lighting and a sense of warmth, too. Having a bench or chair is also vital so as to have somewhere to leave items and clothes. You can personalise the space with a work of art. The best designs for beds are timeless, but their structure is constantly evolving. Do you keep up with developments in this field ? Of course; that’s why I’m a member of a large number of juries at events seeking to promote creativity in design. One such event is the Elite Design Awards in Lausanne, an international contest open to seasoned professionals as well as students that raises awareness of expertise and innovation in areas important to Elite, notably timeless elegance and artistry. Who won this year’s edition ? We awarded first prize to a young Polish woman, largely because of the skilful way she’s incorporated the bedside table into the structure, as well as for her innovative ideas, suitable for all types of customers and age groups. The second prize has gone to a Parisian. Her unprecedented project is both contemporary and floral, resulting in an interesting contrast between elegance and the unexpected. Doesn’t that qualify as a ‘way- out’ project, though ? Not in the slightest. The whole art is to innovate and surprise whilst remaining within the bounds of what’s commercially relevant. Rather than rewarding the most outlandish artistic projects, our role is to honour those that meet users’ needs and expectations. Being a member of these juries is always a good opportunity for me to question my own practice and put myself in the shoes of those who assess our work and approach. For Elite, it’s also a way of supporting the future: every year, the winning project (and sometimes the second or third
Tres Hermanas is Iria Degen’s dream home that can properly be described as her own work, since she defined everything in it. This ‘living experience’ – which of course includes beds by Elite – is a living show home, available for rentals.
An outstanding career
After studying law, Iria Degen went on to become an indoor architect, creating atmospheres and furniture alike. Her unusual career has met with international success. Here’s a profile based on five questions.
prizes too) goes on to be produced by your outstanding manufactory. In what way do you see Elite as being outstanding ? It all began with the first project for which I turned to Elite. When you visit the production facility in Aubonne, things become clear very quickly. I realised how authentic and exclusive the brand and its products were. Everybody’s heard of beds and mattresses whose brands have become familiar thanks to their marketing. Elite, on the other hand, prefers to invest in quality and development. Its discreet but remarkably effective Swissness is just right for me. Do you sleep in an Elite bed ? Yes, and I’ve done so for many years. When I was student, I slept on a futon, but as time went by, I realised there were much better options available! A good bed and mattress are an excellent way to treat yourself; they’re good for couples too, because each
side of the bed can be personalised as appropriate for an individual’s size and tastes. I’ve included several different Elite mattresses in the Tres Hermanas finca I’ve designed and outfitted in Majorca, so as to test the differences. Tell us more about this ideal holiday home you’ve created in Majorca; everything there can be tried and purchased, is that right ? Yes, it’s a dream location combining architecture, interior and outdoor design, styling, art, light fittings and accessories. It’s a work in and of itself; my own work inasmuch as I was able to make all the decisions, albeit not a home for my own use. It’s a ‘living experience’, a living showcase that can be rented to stay in; if guests are won over, they can order the same furniture and ornaments to make them part of their own homes – and that includes Elite beds.
Tell us about your roots and the bedroom you had as a child ! I come from a family of intellectuals where design was not the foremost concern. In my bedroom as a child in Zürich, I was always moving the furniture around, seeing what I could do with the space. Later, rather than going to fashion stores, I would visit antiques fairs. When I was a student my bedroom looked onto a cabinetmaker’s workshop, and one day I ordered a made-to-measure desk from him. That was how it all began, but it had obviously been in my blood all along. How did your career really start ? I married a photographer; we settled in Paris, where my qualifications in Swiss law were not much use. I began by designing the layout of his studio, and realised I enjoyed it. I suddenly found out who I was, and summoned up the courage to go into interior design. I wanted to experience the job first-hand before embarking on four years of study; a friend who
was a design architect advised me to aim for the top and get in touch with Andrée Putman. I called… and I got an appointment. When I arrived at the agency, before I’d even met anybody I knew that I’d found my world; it was my calling.e. So after Paris in 2000 you came to Zürich in 2003; why did you choose Switzerland ? After my time with Andrée Putman and my studies at the Camondo design school in Paris, we decided to start a family and return to Switzerland. It’s our country, after all! Thanks to my Parisian experience, I’d developed an open-minded approach that was a real asset in connecting with customers from all types of background: understanding the other person without judging them is vital to avoid any cultural misunderstandings. That’s been really helpful in my job. You have a boy and a girl; how do you balance family life with an international career ?
My son is 18; my daughter is 13. It’s never been a problem for me to reconcile work and family life. I followed my own mother’s example; as a doctor, she brought up four children as well as working in her surgery every day. It’s a question of organisation. What’s more, I’m lucky enough to live and work under the same roof. My wider family lives just down the road from us, too: we’re quite a tribe! Is there a particular project you’d love to work on ? I’d like to outfit a boat or a plane; the related constraints would be highly stimulating, as I found out by doing work for a caravan, where every centimetre and every gramme count. I’m interested in the world of travel, too; it’s fascinating. Alternatively, there are huge worksites like the Aarau canton hospital and the 145- room hotel in Luxembourg that we’re currently working on.
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