Jonas Klock is, at heart, a minimalist, inspired by brutalism and the simplest forms in life. His professional work for others – from cafés in Berlin you might know to private residences – is typically filled with surprising solutions for daily interactions we all accept as normal but are often rather unconsidered and undesigned. Klock is used to transform how we move through spaces, guiding paths and life movements in ways that function best. In a subtle effort to make less of a negative impact on the natural world, Klock turned away from raw materials like concrete, which he worked with seemingly effortlessly. To minimise the lasting impact on the rapidly deteriorating nature that he prioritizes so highly in his personal life, he’s emphasizing the use of a more sustainable material like wood, due to its natural, removable, and reusable character.

In recent years, one of his greater challenges has been the separation he feels between his work and his play – one happening in interior spaces, and one happening largely outdoors. Inspired by nature and adventuring past his personal limits, he has long intended to make his realm of inspiration an even clearer theme in his work but hadn’t gone so boldly in that direction until now. The residency at ACRE enabled him to translate the elements (design, architecture, and adventure), that create the name of his architecture studio Deture, into a spatial structure. With Beyond Shelter he realised a “nomadic architecture” installation that will be on view at ACRE until the 8th of October before it will be moved outdoors, presented, and inaugurated as usable shelter at Libken e.V.

Jonas Klock designed and crafted a functional shelter structure that is also architecturally intriguing. With a background in cycling and bike packing, he’s familiar with taking detours off the beaten track, finding one’s limits, and going at least a little beyond them as often as possible. Some years ago, he rode his bike to the “Wooden Chapel” by architect John Pawson. A small path leads to the chapel’s entrance, located at the transitional point between woodland and open ground. From certain perspectives, the structure appears as a pile of logs stacked up to dry; from others the considered placement of the elements on a concrete plinth creates a more formal impression of a piece of sculpture emerging from the forest. Spending a night at the chapel, the obvious difference between a typical forest shelter and the chapel left a strong impression on Klock. The former offers pure function, while the latter inspired to consider design, material and turned an overnighter into an aesthetic experience.

Beyond Shelter is an attempt to unify the love for design, architecture, and adventures. At the same time, it’s an encouragement to rethink our relationship with the natural world and its resources. It is an invitation to shared experiences and hospitality. Please feel warmly invited to its outdoor inauguration and autumn dinner on the 12th of October 2024 at Libken in Gerswalde/Uckermark. A place of thinking and cultural production in Brandenburg‘s most beautiful countryside.

A “nomadic architecture” installation by Jonas Klock
Presented at ACRE from 28th of September – 10th of October 2024
Outdoor inauguration at Libken e.V. 12th of October 2024

This project was made possible by the support of
Fries24
Hunt Bike Wheels
AssSavers
Omnium

All photos by Stefan Hähnel