Daniel Germani | Create to last

Exhibited all over the world and many times rewarded, the creations of Daniel Germani stand out for their innovative character. The Argentinian architect and designer nevertheless adopts a very simple philosophy: good design is above all honest and inspiring. The Press took advantage of his visit to Montreal as part of the launch of his collection of composite stones Pietra Kodeto hear him talk about design, sophistication, durability and… imperfections.

How do you approach design?

My approach is camped in timelessness. If what I create is still beautiful in 10 years, I have succeeded; if it’s dated, I failed. I design furniture, glassware, ceramics, rugs, outdoor kitchens… My playground is vast, but the same criterion applies at all times: durability.

The dilemma is always the same when it comes to sustainable design: what lasts is often not affordable. But what do we do with all this furniture that gives up the ghost after two years? We have to put an end to this cycle of designing to design. How many more sofas do we need?

Buy less, but better?

I think the pandemic has helped us clean up our environments. We realized that the people we thought were important in our lives may not be so important, like all those things we thought were essential. My husband and I wore the same pair of shoes for 10 months. It puts things into perspective.

I have an architectural education and an MBA. I’ve thought a lot about the cycles of design by evaluating how much it costs to design an object and how much it is used once designed. I am more selective. I am 60 years old. I’m at a point in my life where I can decide not to compromise. If a project isn’t bright in all its aspects, including labor relations, what’s the point? I take more and more pleasure in teaching. If I can influence a single student, it is a constructive impact for the future.

Let’s talk about the future. How do you imagine the design of the future?

Technology allows us to design more efficient and versatile materials. We now find velvet and leather that are resistant to outdoor conditions. I think technology will increasingly blur the boundaries between the inside and the outside. A piece of furniture can be used both outside and inside the house.

Where do you draw inspiration to create?

I like to work with different materials — wood, glass, aluminum… — and explore in depth what they have to offer. I can’t point to a single source of inspiration. It is rather the sum of all the images and sensations that I have been able to record, unconsciously or not, whether traveling or in my daily life. Inspiration is sometimes in the details: the reflection of a building, the way a person dresses and moves… We collect an arsenal of images that intersect in a context to generate an idea. I always tell my students to let go of their screens and keep their eyes peeled.

From this collection, which stone resembles you the most?

This one [Ceppo CK07] because it is the most irregular. I find that flaws are often what give character to an object and make it interesting. This is true in all aspects of life. I find perfection rather boring! I have many flaws, but I live a beautifully imperfect life. All of my experiences—good or bad, and more bad than good—taught me what I know today and shaped me. In this stone, there are more or less large fragments of stone. It is also a beautiful metaphor for society. Everyone contributes to the beauty of the whole, regardless of whether they are rich, famous, powerful or not. When we do good, it is the whole that benefits. We are singular parcels of imperfections and we each have a role to play.