The continuous development of a hands-on object collection in the studio involves the public, is directly related to the content of the new collection exhibitions in the building and, in addition to the Swiss Design Lounge, enables the multi-sensory exploration and testing of design objects.

The exploratory examination of material culture and the physical handling of real things appear to be highly relevant, especially in a digitally transforming world. We are surrounded by designed things and spaces in our everyday lives. The range of content in the collections and exhibitions offers numerous points of contact with the living environments of a heterogeneous public and encourages a multi-layered and polyphonic examination of cultural heritage both inside and outside the museum. They are also ideally suited to raising awareness of current issues in society and initiating aesthetic education processes. The museum regards the theoretical and practical reflection of design solutions of the past, including their socio-cultural and technical conditions, as an indispensable prerequisite for reflecting on current product culture and living spaces and for shaping its own design approach.

The hands-on object collection is used in numerous educational formats, e.g: Ding-Geschichten and Dreh' dein Ding! projects, workshops for schools Young Collection and Heisse Ware: Design im Supermarktregal, interactive guided tour sessions for blind, visually impaired and sighted people.

Photos: Umberto Romito, Ivan Suta