Design like grandma's vs. technology for the 3rd millennium

Round, rotary, made of black Bakelite. As soon as you see them, you will instantly recognize them. Switches just like Grandma's! "Exactly these switches my grandma had in the basement / in the barn / in the kitchen..." Fill in according to your choice. They bring a smile to everyone’s face. Who wouldn’t want to travel back in memories to childhood when these very switches chased away the darkness during mysterious evenings at the grandparents' house? But sentiment aside! Although these switches proudly carry the design from the 1930s, beneath the retro appearance lies a high-tech device that fulfills all the wishes of the present!


Hager series berker 1930 switches made of Bakelite or series berker 1930 Porzellan Made by Rosenthal from real porcelain embody proof that beauty and practicality do not exclude each other. These rotary switches have been collecting design awards around the world and thanks to their retro appearance, they have become favorites among architects. The technology hidden inside, however, is not lagging behind the design. You don’t have to worry that berker 1930 switches can't meet all today's demands. What would you need at home? A stair switch and a data socket? No problem! A thermostat? You can have it! We can even fit a USB socket into the retro design. Under the nostalgic appearance of switches from our grandmothers’ times lie state-of-the-art technologies of today, all in quality Made in Germany. Don’t compromise between beauty and functionality when you can have both…

"Architects are divided into two camps," explains Thomas Grund, managing director of Hager in the Czech Republic. "Some have fallen in love with Bakelite, others swear by porcelain. Whether at Designblok, FOR ARCH, or any other regional exhibition, berker 1930 switches have been successful for several years in a row. And I am pleased that not only among the professional community of architects and designers but also that people who are choosing switches for their apartments or cottages like them. Yes, we often hear enthusiastic exclamations about switches like Grandma's," smiles Thomas Grund, adding: "As a traditional manufacturer of berker switches, we are thrilled to see how the switch is no longer just a necessary light control in the eyes of architects, but primarily in the eyes of the public. Rightfully, it is shifting towards a carefully selected design element, as more and more people realize that the right choice of switches can crown the entire interior and push it toward perfection."


The sensitive use of berker 1930 Porzellan Made by Rosenthal rotary switches can be seen, for example, in a homestead in the Jelenské Valley in Šumava. The investor, who bought the house in a completely inadequate condition, wished to connect with the tradition of local rural estates, have maximum contact with nature, enough privacy, but also comfort corresponding to current housing requirements. Considering these demands for a combination of traditional design and modern functionality, architect Olga Frydecká and designer Šárka Martínková Špačková agreed on retro porcelain rotary switches berker made of white porcelain. The meticulously executed renovation of the estate in the Jelenské Valley was crowned with success when it won its category in the Interior of the Year 2016 competition organized by the Institute of Interior Design.

Interior designer Denisa Strmisková, on the other hand, was captivated by the black Bakelite version of the berker 1930 switches. She chose these ultimate minimalist switches for the award-winning renovation of the Hostel Long Story Short in Olomouc. The entire floor of the expansive historic building Podkova was transformed in 2017 into a welcoming, friendly, and cosmopolitan accommodation for contemporary nomads and discerning clientele from home and abroad. The overall concept of the hostel, including all equipment and artistic solutions, aimed to emphasize the historical genius loci and enrich it with contemporary design through sensitive adjustments. Most of the furnishings were custom-made. Beds, mirrors, lighting, shelves, and bathroom fittings were designed specifically for the rooms in collaboration with local manufacturers. The designer elegantly harmonized all of this with the original modernist design of the last century and elegant details, including Bakelite berker 1930 switches. Some areas of the hotel are also decorated with original artworks by Czech artist David Minařík.

Last year, Hager introduced another material innovation to the very popular berker 1930 series. Alongside Bakelite and porcelain, a black plastic with a matte, velvety finish, known as Softtouch, was added. This elegant switch is part of Hager Manufaktur's product program, meaning it is custom-made, where each piece is unique.



And when it comes to innovations, one almost revolutionary one cannot be overlooked. An innovation that has propelled retro rotary switches several light years into the future. The frameless rotary switches berker R.Classic belong to the youngest "rebellious" series of switches Generation R. They look like nothing you have ever seen before. They have no frame, but a massive 7 mm base that ensures they are not overlooked on the wall! The materials include noble steel, aluminum, white and black glass, or high-quality white or black plastic, which is also used in the automotive industry. In the same spirit and design, the R.Classic switches are of course accompanied by a complete range of power and data sockets, as well as all other home devices that you might need in a house or office. The R.Classic switches beautifully link to the tradition of the original rotary switches, respecting it but not afraid to push its appearance further. They stand out excellently not only in modern spaces but surprisingly harmonize well with retro interiors, providing them with a pleasant refreshment.

A significant step into the future is also the gradual penetration of intelligent electrical installations not only into office and commercial buildings but also into households. Therefore, even an apparently ordinary switch can hide surprises beneath its appealing design. It might be a wireless switch that sends commands to control lighting and blinds via radio frequency signal. Or perhaps it is a switch connected to the standard KNX interface. The switches can then be supplemented with other control elements: remote controls, touch and push sensors, or visualization panels. Wireless solutions are not only valuable in the construction of new buildings but are especially invaluable during the renovation of existing buildings and apartments. It is easy to add switches where they are newly needed, without needing to break into walls. You simply stick the new switch onto a smooth surface – and it’s done! The system is also very easily expandable… it allows you to start with a few wireless switches to control individual lights, and over time you can add complete lighting scenes, shading controls, and other appliances. Intelligent or more precisely, system electrical installations are becoming a common part of our homes today, after initial timid attempts to control lighting. And with the increasing possibilities of what can be controlled at home with intelligent installation, you too have more and more reasons to consider its acquisition.

And here the circle of the journey we began somewhere in the first half of the 20th century at Grandma's barn symbolically closes… The design of home switches is rightfully coming to the forefront of interest today - materials, shapes, modest or extravagant colors are deciding factors. However, increasingly, investors are placing emphasis on comfort and utility value of their homes, and electrical installations are no exception. We demand a certain comfort in controlling lighting and shading systems, as well as savings that reflect on electricity bills - hence the growing interest in intelligent control of electrical installations. Welcome to the future. Grandma would be amazed…