Burkhardt Leitner, a pioneer of modular construction and a visionary of interior design, has passed away at the age of 82. His systems, characterised by reduction and formal clarity, redefined exhibition design – and inspired generations of designers.
With his modular architectural systems, Burkhardt Leitner did not just design space – he redesigned it. His designs did not follow trends but principles: functionality, sensory experience and uncompromising formal precision. Leitner was not a designer who sought the spotlight – his systems spoke for themselves. Quiet but effective, they gave space to both objects and people.
His approach was evident not only in form, but also in his relationship with clients and materials. For him, “Design begins with listening” was more than a motto – it was the expression of a design philosophy rooted in empathy, clarity and responsibility. His understated style was not an act of renunciation, but a deliberate choice to focus on what really mattered.
Modular by Principle
This ethos was reflected in both his projects and his formal language. His early systems, such as Leitner 1 (1966) and Leitner 14, quickly became milestones in trade fair and exhibition design. Projects such as the exhibition on anti-fascist resistance in Frankfurt’s Paulskirche (1971), the system for the Bauhaus Archive in Berlin or the touring exhibition Design – USA with stops in Moscow, Tokyo and Beijing brought his signature international recognition.
In 1980, several of his modular systems were included in the collection of the Neue Sammlung in Munich. In 1993 he founded Burkhardt Leitner constructiv GmbH & Co. KG, which he managed until his retirement in 2015. His systems have received numerous awards, including the Design Award of the Federal Republic of Germany.
Designer and Co-Creator
In addition to his design work, Leitner was a member of the board of the German Design Council from 1998 to 2014, where he worked to position Germany as a design centre. He was also active in aed Stuttgart and the Merz Academy Development Association. Leitner’s influence was never loud, but always deliberate – marked by an attitude that combined form, ethics and purpose.
In 2023, on the occasion of his 80th birthday, a portrait was published on ndion, which sheds light on the full complexity of his life and work: a portrait of his life and work, a portrait of his life and work, a portrait of his life and work, a portrait of his life and work: “Design begins with listening”.
Burkhardt Leitner leaves behind more than just systems – he leaves behind spaces for thought. Clear, reduced, lasting. And open to what lies ahead.
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