The benefits of travel are well documented: brainpower can be boosted by new experiences and fresh horizons. Travel not only broadens your perspective, but scientific studies show it also improves your cognitive health and inspires creativity. Designers are particularly receptive to their surroundings, constantly gathering ideas and influences – often subconsciously. They may find their journeys referenced in their work, and sometimes at the core of their aesthetic or the driving force behind their latest creations. We speak to five creatives across the globe about the destinations that inspire them in this exclusive web series.
Harry & Camila are a design duo (and life partners) from Holland and Chile, respectively, who live in Barcelona with their two children and spend a great deal of time in their adopted home of Italy. The well-travelled couple enjoys experimenting with materials and topology. Here, Harry Paul Van Ierssel waxes lyrical about Mexican food and relaxing on Formentera.
Amazing Architecture
Shanghai has given a boost to the world of architecture, and has shown how it is possible to make something new and interesting that pushes the boundaries and really makes you think.
Hotel Havens
The Iberostar hotels in Tenerife are stylish because of their simplicity – the pure white, and occasionally black, tones used throughout the entire project. There are no distractions or pretensions, no over-design – it’s just relaxing and enjoyable, how it’s meant to be.
Stylish Sips
The Dry Martini is a cocktail bar and very good restaurant in Barcelona where all the cocktails are made and served in the traditional way – by mature and experienced personnel who really know what they are doing.
© Art Basel
Culture Vulture
Miami Basel (pictured) is always a go-to, as well as the Pompidou in Paris and the Palais du Tokyo. In New York, the Whitney and MoMA are essential – and let’s not forget the Stedelijk in Amsterdam.
Favourite Finds
I enjoy travelling to Murano in Italy for its glass sculptures and objects. The Venetian island has been creating decorative glassware for a long time – its history of refining techniques and its use of colours and materials is fascinating.
Intrepid Inspiration
I love Sardinia, also known as Valle de Luna for its spectacular white granite rock formations on the northern coast, where nature has cleverly used wind and water to create magnificent sculptures that shimmer in the light of the moon. It is a very special place.
Fine Food
Tulum in Mexico is where I love to eat the authentic food of the country, with its divine flavours and vivid colours. Traditional dishes such as tacos and ceviche are served there in a fresh and exciting way.
Dream Homes
Formentera in Spain would be an incredible place to live, not just for its turquoise sea and white sandy beaches, but also because of its hippy legacy and the philosophy of the place. I wonder if could survive there all year round without going back and forth to Ibiza.
Read the other interviews in the series: Joyce Wang, Kelly Wearstler, Sacha Walckhoff
The post Where Travel Takes You: Harry Paul Van Ierssel’s most inspiring destinations appeared first on Home Journal.
