Walk into the Stapelstein store in Mitte and for a second you might think you’ve stumbled into a minimalist tech temple. White walls, clean lines, a big glowing screen – it all feels like you’re about to pick up the latest iPhone. But instead, you’ll find something far more playful: colorful elements that invite you to move, build and create. The space is calm, airy and at the same time surprisingly vibrant – the conceptual backdrop for a brand that’s all about movement and imagination. Stapelstein is rethinking play for all ages. Designed by Stephan Schenk in 2015, the elements are as simple as they are smart. One element gets you balancing, two invite some movement, six and you’ve got yourself a stool. Made from lightweight, durable material and available in every shade of the rainbow, they’re a hit with kids – and secretly with adults too. Over 800,000 families have already joined the fun, stacking, hopping and spinning around with these minimalist shapes. The Cee Cee team even used them at the Berlin Coffee Festival – as stools for the panel talks, high seats for the cupping table and colorful highlights in the kids’ corner. Proof that good design can bring people together, no matter their age or size. At the Mitte store you can explore the full range – from travel-friendly minis to the oversized “Grow” elements that adults can comfortably sit on. Kids are encouraged to play, and if you find yourself reaching for an element too, you’re in good company. Because sometimes, the best design just makes you want to move.
Text: Benji Haughton / Photos: Anastasia Komarova, Sophie Doering, Stapelstein
Stapelstein, Alte Schönhauser Str.3, 10119 Berlin–Mitte; map
@stapelstein.original
