Ageing beautifully
One of our materials stands out above all others. Rather than remaining unchanged, it bears traces. Traces of the manufacturing process, usage, the surroundings, the environment. It lives and ages – becoming ever more beautiful.
Handcrafted individual pieces
Traces of life
For a long time, only flawless items were considered desirable.
Perhaps it is time for a rethink.
A piece by design journalist and author Gerrit Terstiege about how material can bear witness to time in architecture

When designing a building, every architect is aware that they are creating something lasting: The aim of architectural art is to creatively and aesthetically set the course for decades. But as much as a building formulates an architectural vision, this vision is subject to changes as a physical reality. Time leaves behind traces. In this way, a building reflects the contact of its inhabitants and the effects of the sun, wind and rain.

You can fight the formation of such patinas by all means available – or instead, and perhaps more wisely, include the aspect of ageing when choosing a material. How about selecting a patinated material right from the start, knowing exactly how it will age – and making aesthetic use of this process? In addition to specific natural stones and wood, it is copper and brass which age in an appealing manner, storing traces of use in an attractive way, leading to a environmental symbiosis with other materials over the years.
Italian architect Carlo Scarpa (1906–1978) is known for his very subtle handling of patinated materials. Numerous buildings by the Venetian-born architect are now celebrated jewels of the lagoon city, such as his legendary Olivetti showroom or his agreeable work in the historical building of the Fondazione Querini Stampalia. Such buildings become more beautiful as the traces of time are left on the materials.

Architects often talk about the honesty of a material. In this sense, the authenticity of a material is a major asset in architecture. And a patina, which is not due to neglect, but arises from years of care and appropriate use of the objects, has increased in importance in recent years. This is precisely because using items for a long time, rather than thinking in short cycles, also protects the environment.
About the author
Gerrit Terstiege studied at the ‘Köln International School of Design’, was editor in chief of the design journal form for many years and visiting professor at the Karlsruhe University of Arts and Design. Terstiege has published three books on design theory and practice and writes regularly about design and architecture for magazines and blogs.