When Time Becomes material at Basel
Konstantin Grcic's immersive installation explored how design shapes our perception of time during Art Basel week.
Following its debut during Milan Design Week 2026, When Time Becomes Material was presented at Basel Social Club as part of LAUFEN's programme during Art Basel week. Conceived by Konstantin Grcic, the installation invited visitors to reflect on time not as something abstract, but as something experienced through the objects, spaces and rituals that shape everyday life.
Housed within a cylindrical wooden structure, the installation created a calm and immersive environment where visitors encountered a series of questions, including "Can design make time visible?" and "Will happiness find me?". Rather than offering answers, the space encouraged reflection on how architecture and design accompany us throughout different stages of life.
At its centre stood a sculptural seating object by Simon Stanislawski, a former student of Konstantin Grcic at HFBK Hamburg. Crafted from recycled mattress foam and saturated in a deep Yves Klein blue, the piece introduced a striking visual contrast while suggesting a dialogue between past, present and future.
Within this setting, LAUFEN and Konstantin Grcic presented the second chapter of their collaboration, PAR, a new bathroom collection designed for later life, continuing the exploration of Saphirkeramik, LAUFEN's signature ultra thin, high performance ceramic material.
PAR responds to the changing needs of everyday life through thoughtful, discreet design. The bathroom becomes a quiet companion, adapting over time with solutions already in place when they are needed. Not intrusive, but present. Not demanding attention, but gently supportive.
The ceramic products of PAR are manufactured in LAUFEN's electric tunnel kiln in Gmunden, Austria, the world's first electric tunnel kiln for sanitary ceramics production. Operating since 2023, the technology represents a significant milestone in the decarbonisation of ceramic manufacturing while enabling new possibilities for contemporary bathroom design. Ceramic products manufactured in Gmunden have achieved Cradle to Cradle Certified® Circularity at Bronze level, reinforcing LAUFEN's commitment to circular production and long term sustainability.
Presented at Basel Social Club during Art Basel week, When Time Becomes Material extended the dialogue initiated at Milan Design Week, bringing together architecture, design and material innovation in an installation that invited visitors to consider how thoughtful design can accompany life over time.