Precision Meets Poetry

Alfredo Häberli – a name much like a program. Latin temperament unites with Swiss practicality. The product designer creates fascinating interiors, accessories, and scenography inspired by this symbiosis. Extraordinary aesthetics for everyday moments.

A feeling like Christmas: we can see numerous finely formed objects that we would love to have or give someone as a present. They all carry the signature of Alfredo Häberli – his passion and his inspiration. Even if you were to include only the most important pieces, it would be far too much. We approach the product designer by means of an object that’s small, but also one of his greatest works, at least in terms of its presence: a bowl that belongs to the extensive Origo dish series of the Finnish brand Iittala. Häberli gave the unmistakable piece a cheerful, colorful striped design that brings festive dining tables to life all over the world. You could even imagine the bowl’s stripes on a dress by British fashion designer Paul Smith. But there’s so much more to Häberli’s design: while the colorful pattern reflects his South American roots, the bowls, saucers, and plates can be stacked to save space and serve as sustainable containers for food storage, an example of Häberli’s rational side. Swiss school of thought – practical is important.

A different product for the same customer was even more successful – the Essence set of glasses. Häberli suddenly sits down at his desk with paper and pencil and sketches the classic pieces in two or three perfect lines. As odd as it sounds, the glasses are both soft and angular. Developed 20 years ago, the design is still a best seller. Häberli, who is 57 years old, never stops drawing. In fact, he only recently designed a set of dishes to match the glasses. In 2021, the Finnish brand’s design gallery showcased some of his pieces in a huge exhibition space in Helsinki, a sea of shapes and colors.

There was nothing to hint at the success story to come when the young Alfredo emigrated from Argentina to Switzerland with his parents in 1977. As you may have guessed from his last name, his ancestors stem from this Alpine region. The teenager had his favorite Matchbox car – the No. 14, an Iso Grifo – in his backpack. The stylish sports coupe from the late 1960s was designed by Giorgio Giugiaro for Bertone. “I think my fascination for the design of this toy is one of the reasons I became a designer myself,” explains Häberli. He had had a special relationship with cars virtually from birth, having grown up in Córdoba, just a few miles from the Autódromo Oscar Cabalén racecourse.

Cars have remained a constant source of inspiration in Häberli’s work. He internalized the design principles of the Porsche 911, in particular, for his pieces: “Few joints, homogenous design, much like a sculpture,” he says. “That’s my design goal, too: eliciting strong emotions with very simple lines.” Precision meets poetry – this sentiment gets straight to the heart of his Argentinean-Swiss nature.

Häberli’s 911 is an early coupe of the G series, built in 1976. “There’s nothing there that isn’t necessary!” he says, praising the lines of the car. “There’s no other way to approach perfect design. The 911 is simply unparalleled.” He’s also fond of the combination of exterior color and interior: “The color of the paint is called Platinum Diamond. It’s a golden hue that shimmers silver when the light hits it just right,” he says delighted. In the interior, brown and beige imitation leather with contrasting tweed stripes. “Quite a unique mix!”

Whether it’s vehicles, landscapes, or the ice hockey helmet on the shelf that he can’t seem to take his eyes off of, Häberli tends to look very closely. That’s always how new ideas materialize in his mind. “Observation is the most beautiful form of thought,” he says. In the studio, he expands on these thoughts and transforms them into intelligent products with personality.

After a spin in the 911, it’s time to take the line out for another walk. Alfredo Häberli takes a seat at his desk again. He even designed the pencil in his hand – the Fixpencil with colored leads is a new model of the Swiss brand Caran d’Ache, which he uses to roam around between the two continents of his life. He just might be creating a future classic.

By Robert Hofman
Photos by Christian Grund