Utopian Ideals with Michelle Haim

The designer imagines the ultimate sanctum at Casacor Miami with sustainability as her guiding force

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How did the Earth lounge we see here come to be?

At Casacor Miami 2019, artists and designers were asked to create a space using sustainability as the theme. We were given the opportunity to create something completely unique, carte blanche, as long as it offered a strong backbone supporting the concept of sustainability. 

What did you envision this room being used for?

As a place for humans to interact with one another, void of digital life for a moment, and be present with each other.

In what ways did you address the sustainability theme?

The approach for the installation was to create a system of modules that make up the space that can be removed easily and upcycled. For example, the terra cotta tiled walls were installed onto removable plywood units that are now being repurposed in our new office, which is exactly what I had hoped would happen. We did not want to create waste, but rather create opportunity with the design components. 

What can you tell us about the plant life in the room?

It’s one of my favorite elements, a 40-year-old yucca plant that was handpicked by my friend Paloma Teppa of Plant the Future. The plant represents life and our planet, which we urgently need to protect.

What did you want to accomplish with the room’s palette?

It was inspired by Earth, so maintaining the terra cotta tone throughout was a way to represent our ancestral roots.

What do you love most about this room?

It feels like a sacred space, almost like a temple, because of its perfect balance of geometry, texture, and materials. fannyhaim.com

Story Credits:

Text by Luis R. Rigual

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