Our exhibition „Form Equals Function“

As winners of the title “Red Dot: Design Team of the Year”, we were given the traditional honor to curate a special exhibition at the Red Dot Design Museum on the grounds of the UNESCO World Heritage Zollverein. Our exhibition with the title “Form Equals Function. Design by Studio F. A. Porsche” can be viewed from September 1 to November 1, 2021.

The Porsche 911 and its influence on other product areas

At the heart of the exhibition stands a scaled-down model of the historic Porsche 911, which already embodies all the design principles to which the studio is still committed today. Using current products including headphones, an e-bike, watches, sunglasses and a washing machine, the exhibition also demonstrates that these principles have lost none of their relevance.

The relationship between form and function

The exhibition’s title “Form Equals Function” references the design principle “Form follows function”, which was coined by the American architect Louis Henry Sullivan and later became the creed of many generations of designers. By contrast, Ferdinand Alexander Porsche was of the opinion that form should not follow function, but that the two aspects should instead be weighted equally. According to him, form and function can only develop their effect through the interplay with one another, with each aspect given meaning by its counterpart.

This becomes apparent in the exhibits from different product areas, including the “Tec Flex Ballpoint Pen”, in which form and function are intrinsically linked: the barrel of the pen is intersected by laser-cut incisions which nonetheless hold together like the links in a chain. By squeezing the barrel, the links are compressed and the ballpoint tip is revealed.

The special exhibition “Form Equals Function” can be visited at the Red Dot Design Museum until the end of October.

Red Dot Design Museum – Opening times and entry fees

Tuesday to Sunday and public holidays: 11 am to 6 pm (last entry: 5 pm)

Mondays: closed (except on public holidays and during the NRW school holidays)

Entry fee for special exhibitions: 9 euros (Concessions: 4 euros)
Children under the age of 12: Free entry
Fridays: Pay what you want

Pandemic notice: According to the coronavirus protection legislation of the state of North-Rhine Westphalia, no prior booking is required for museum visits. It is also no longer mandatory to wear a face mask, though visitors are free to wear one voluntarily if so desired. For more information and the latest news, please visit www.red-dot-design-museum.org

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