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Carpet Concept renovated an old Bauhaus ensemble near Weimar.
Woven carpets from the birthplace of Bauhaus Carpet Concept creates woven carpet collections, with the quality label ‘Made in Germany’, in a restored Bauhaus building. TEXT: SONJA IRANI I PHOTOS: HGESCH
Only 62 kilometres from the Carpet Concept manufactory in Münchenbernsdorf, you will find Weimar – the birthplace of the Bauhaus style. Exactly 100 years ago, Walter Gropius founded the famous art school Bauhaus here. But the geographical proximity is not the only thing that the weaving mill Carpet Concept has in common with the Bauhaus philosophy. Breaking down the barriers between art, industry and craftwork, Carpet Concept decided to create architecture-inspired textiles early on. With six weaving mills, Münchenbernsdorf was once an important base for the carpet industry. But five of these have now ceased operations. The fully renovated Carpet Concept weaving mill, with 60 employees, was the only one to survive. Innovative materials and unexpected carpet collections have ensured its future. 10 | Issue 72 | March 2019
Working in a Bauhaus building
In addition to preserving jobs and the development of innovative, architectureinspired carpets, Carpet Concept also began to carefully renovate the Bauhaus building, which features traditional production halls and a characteristic red brick façade. Aside from the weaving mill itself, you will find a showroom, a congress centre, the weavers’ kitchen and an insight into the cultural endeavours of the company. There is, for example, a popular exhibition about GDR tapestries. Back in 1999, a very special carpet inspired by the famous Bauhaus weaver Margaretha Reichardt was weaved here. This carpet featured a graphic pattern and was given to the design centre Thuringia.
Now, in 2019, Carpet Concept celebrates the Bauhaus anniversary, the cultural roots of the company, and its innovation power. Produced with environmentally friendly methods in Thuringia, all carpets come with the certificate ‘Made in Germany’. Sustainable NEO The new NEO collection achieved much acclaim when it was recently presented at the most important trade fair for Scandinavian design – the Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair. The NEO collection is produced with environment friendly methods and features free forms that create new combinations in lounges, living rooms or offices. Armchairs and small tables are combined to create casual living islands. Furthermore, the colours and textures perfectly match the tiles and flat materials of Carpet Concept. These are truly innovative products that capture the trend for natural, simple and healthy living. www.carpet-concept.de