An Island of Calm: Finding Shelter With BuzziBrella

In a corner of Sebastian Herkner's studio, where material samples and prototype sketches dance across the walls, we sat down to discuss his latest acoustic innovation for BuzziSpace – the sculptural BuzziBrella. The space itself feels like a physical manifestation of Herkner's design philosophy: thoughtful, detailed, and warmly inviting.

Known for pushing boundaries while respecting craftsmanship, Herkner's approach to design has earned him international acclaim. His eyes light up when discussing BuzziBrella, a project that challenged him to reimagine acoustic solutions through an entirely new lens.

Drawing inspiration from the graceful forms of opened umbrellas, BuzziBrella is a perfect example of Herkner's talent for finding beauty in unexpected places and transforming functional necessities into objects of desire.

In our wide-ranging conversation, Herkner shares insights into his creative process, the challenges of acoustic design, and his vision for the future of workplace environments.

Here's what we learned...

Walk us through the process of designing BuzziBrella with BuzziSpace.

I met a few members of the BuzziSpace team at Orgatec and we decided to work on a product together.

For me, BuzziSpace is all about acoustic elements and furniture with unique details. I thought about creating an iconic piece which could easily be recognized as BuzziSpace just by the silhouette or by the shape. This is how BuzziBrella came out. Working with the team was very seamless, even though we created two different versions of BuzziBrella: a seated version and a workstation.

What were some of the biggest successes and challenges?

One of the main challenges was how we could create such a large solution. BuzziBrella is quite massive, so we really put a lot of effort, know-how and experience into the product. For example how to assemble it so that you don't see the joints that much. The team also moved quickly from prototype to putting everything together in such a short timeframe.

Is this your first time designing an acoustic product?

Yes, it was, and it was so interesting. Working with BuzziSpace, I got to see how they produce their solutions, what types of materials they use, and all the high-quality materials that go into each product. It was something different than what I’d done before. I’ve designed chairs before, but this project was carte blanche, which gave me total freedom and allowed me to work with a new typology.

What kind of environments is BuzziBrella best suited for?

The idea was to create a solution for a large lobby or entrance hall of a hotel or office building where people can meet together but can also work on their own. BuzziBrella is also perfect for the airport. You can open your laptop or iPad, write an email quickly and then go to your gate.

How will BuzziBrella improve the user experience in environments such as offices or public spaces?

You can use the solution for a few minutes or half an hour or more. BuzziBrella is easily adaptable to different scenarios, which is why we also added LED lights in the ceiling and charging hubs. Chargers are always important when you wait somewhere, such as the airport, so you can charge your phone or tablet.

How does BuzziBrella enhance acoustics in a space?

Many large areas, including airports and hotel lobbies, need a solution like this because the acoustics are not great due to certain regulations like not being allowed to use textile surfaces. But that’s why BuzziBrella is an acoustical island with an absorptive ceiling to help combat acoustics in large spaces.

Describe your design philosophy and how it comes into play while designing BuzziBrella.

I like to work with materials, colors, and craftsmen, but not just craftsmen or crafts, not just in a historical way. Of course, we need to translate it into a vision. So I like to work with traditional crafts, not just with robots and technology.

On one hand, you need the craftsmen to assemble, to do the stitching, everything. On the other hand, you have CNC cutting machines for the tubes and for this construction. So it's the balance of both worlds, the traditional one, but also the innovation. I think that's an important part. And of course, to create usable products that have a need and a unique style, which hopefully lasts for a very, very long time.