A #TIMEWELLSHARED CONVERSATION ABOUT ARCHITECTURE, DESIGN AND WATCHMAKING

Schaffhausen, 14th May 2020 – In the latest video released as part of IWC Schaffhausen’s “TIME WELL SHARED” initiative, New York-based architect Hani Rashid joins IWC CEO Christoph Grainger-Herr and IWC Creative Director Christian Knoop for a conversation. The three design enthusiasts talk about the extraordinary times we live in and elaborate on architecture and watchmaking.

Hani Rashid co-founded the New York-based architecture firm Asymptote Architecture with Lise Anne Couture. The practice is known for its unique hybrid approach to design, fusing architecture with technological innovation. Asymptote’s architectural signature can be seen, for example, at the iconic Yas Marina Hotel built above the F1TM Circuit in Abu Dhabi, which features a sweeping glass and steel facade with an AI integrated LED lighting system. Asymptote is currently designing a number of important projects around the world including a new Hermitage Museum and Mariinsky Concert Hall in Russia, a luxury resort in Tuscany, Italy and the Missoni Baia residential tower on Biscayne Bay in Miami. The visionary Canadian architect took time for a virtual get-together with IWC CEO Christoph Grainger-Herr, whose background is also in architecture, and Christian Knoop, an experienced industrial designer who has been the Creative Director of IWC since 2010.

“I have known Hani for some years and deeply admire his visionary work. It has been a welcome change for all of us to have this conversation, and I am grateful we had the opportunity to reflect on the exceptional times we are going through, as well as on the timeless nature of architecture and watchmaking. With our talk, we hope to provide new perspectives and surprising insights, and we want to inspire and entertain the audience,” said Christoph Grainger-Herr, CEO of IWC Schaffhausen.

In their conversation, the three design enthusiasts reflect on how the absence of distractions has altered their perception of time during the last weeks, and how isolation and working from home impacts the creative processes in their industries. They also elaborate on how social distancing creates surprising new challenges in architecture. Lastly, they talk about those magical moments when technical requirements meet sculptural beauty, creating truly timeless designs – in architecture as well as in the world of watches.

The “TIME WELL SHARED” initiative, which IWC announced recently, encompasses online lectures, speeches and webinars that will feature on digital channels during the following weeks. The aim is to entertain and support people in these challenging times. The initiative includes contributions from IWC brand ambassadors and partners like, for example, Tom Brady, Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport, Mercedes-AMG, Tottenham Hotspur, Laureus Sport for Good, Solaris Yachts and Orlebar Brown.

All contributions are accompanied by a link to make voluntary donations, with IWC making the first donation. With the funds raised, IWC will support Save the Children, which aims to strengthen its programmes that protect children and families in countries that are hit by the virus, increase support for national health systems, and raise awareness among parents and caregivers on how to provide psychosocial support to children.

Another crucial pillar of “TIME WELL SHARED” is a personal volunteering program on Good Tutors Finder to support schoolchildren and their parents. In their own free time, and on an individual voluntary basis, IWC employees are encouraged to offer online tutoring support for schoolchildren in basic subjects.

For the latest information on “TIME WELL SHARED”, and to access exclusive content, please visit https://www.iwc.com/en/articles/journal/iwc-news-events.html and www.savethechildren.ch/timewellshared