Areti (Greek: ἀρετή) is a concept in ancient Greek thought that, in its most basic sense, refers to ‘excellence’ of any kind. The term may also mean ‘moral virtue’. In its earliest appearance in Greek, this notion of excellence was ultimately bound up with the notion of the fulfillment of purpose or function: the act of living up to one's full potential.
We are inspired by this concept which relates to both excellence and virtue.
We believe that as designers and architects we should strive to create work that is not only of high quality aesthetically and functionally, but equally considers ethical dimensions.
We strive to create a body of work that exudes these values and that adds joy, beauty and inspiration to those surrounding them.
Atelier Areti is an interdisciplinary design studio established by sisters Gwendolyn and Guillane Kerschbaumer.
Gwendolyn and Guillane’s background is in a broad range of visual arts disciplines: drawing and sculpture, product design, architecture and urban design.
Their work reflects this interest in both the object and space, exploring and existing between the sculptural quality of the object and its spatial dynamic.
‘We strive to develop something new and beautiful through our work. We are driven by curiosity and the desire to explore works that touch us on a deeper, direct emotional level as well engage us in a more conscious conceptual way.
These artistic ambitions need to be realized and developed in the actual material product. The material realization gives the design it’s place in our daily life. A well done object will be valued for a long time; we aim to create pieces that remain relevant through their beauty, function and quality.’
Our workshop is located near Arnsberg, in the Sauerland region of Germany. This is the historical heart of high end lighting manufacturing in Germany. We make most of the single components in house and collaborate with local expert workshops for processes for which we lack specialized equipment such as galvanization or extrusion processes.
The making of our pieces requires both very experienced craftsmen to perform delicate welding or polishing work by hand, as well as complex machined pieces that can only be made through modern precise automated technology.
Our atelier is equipped with a number of sophisticated machines, which are regularly expanded, allowing us a high degree of customization.
Most specialists we work with in the areas of LED technology, electrical components, glass (both mouth blown and flat hand made), metal casting and more are located close by, such that collaborations on new or custom pieces are personal and relatively fast.
Our stone pieces are made in Italy mainly using local stones. The wooden pieces are made in Slovenia, a country with vast forests and local woods, thereby allowing us to source locally as well. We have personal ties to both countries and formed collaborations with local designers and craftsmen over the years.
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Gwendolyn was born in 1976 in Innsbruck, Austria and is Austrian / French.
She received a Bachelor in Visual Arts with a concentration in sculpture from Duke University, NC.
She received her Master in Architecture (MArch I) from Harvard University and
a Master in Advanced Architectural Studies in sustainable building from the ETH (Federal Technical University), Zurich.
Among others, Gwendolyn worked at the architectural offices of Peter Eisenman Architects New York, Kleihues und Kleihues Berlin, MVRDV Rotterdam and Wiel Arets Architects Amsterdam.
Gwendolyn was head of research at 'laba' / EPFL for 3 years, where she researched contemporary developments in the fields of architecture, urban design and planning.
Guillane was born in 1981 in Innsbruck, Austria and is Austrian / French.
She completed an art foundation program in Paris with a focus on drawing.
She studied Art History and Archaeology at the Sorbonne in Paris, receiving a DEUG.
She went on to study Product Design at Central Saint Martins where she graduated in 2006.
Guillane worked for several years as an interior designer in London before founding Atelier Areti with her sister Gwendolyn.