Domotex 2014

When do we regard things as authentic? Take wood that’s no longer wood, for example, and flooring that looks precisely like wood – how does this make us feel? What are the limitations to emulating natural materials, disassociating them from their familiar contexts and advancing them functionally? Architects Lars Krückeberg, Titus Bernhard, Günter Katherl and Dirk Zweering teamed up with architectural critic Angelika Fitz to debate these and similar issues in the context of “Innovations@Domotex”.

What is of interest to a designer at a trade fair like the Domotex in Hanover? Uta Abendroth accompanied Petra Blaisse, founder of Amsterdam studio Inside Outside, on a tour of the fair and discussed traditiony, art works and inspiration with her. Oh, and good taste, as well.

At this year’s Domotex, visitors were able to find out all about new floor coverings – in special zones, through guided tours and in the form of debates among expert at the Innovations@Domotex. Stylepark talked with the exhibitors and visitors about the new concept.

There was a time when floor coverings were called carpets, parquet or tiles. Today, the term is “trend floor coverings” or simply “fashion items”. We visited the Domotex fair and now know and what takes off when it gets floored.

“Innovations@Domotex” is a new concept that prepares the ground for architects and designers in the run-up to and at the upcoming Domotex. The platform curated by Stylepark offers plenty of possibilities here, including a special website, a trend forum, lectures, guided tours and a pocket-size brochure.

Jürgen Mayer H. is the brain behind the extraordinary surface designs set to catch the eye at “Innovations@Domotex", on show as part of the upcoming Domotex. Oliver G. Hamm chatted with the Berlin-based architect about exhibition architecture and the impact the 1970s have had on his creative work.

For a long time floors attracted little attention, if any. Thankfully, those days are over. Things are looking up in the world of flooring. Which is great news, and not just for the eye.

Steffen Kehrle has landed on the floor. Or the carpet, to be precise. For “Flooring Deluxe”, the special exhibition at this year’s Domotex, the designer teamed up with Dura and together they produced creations that call to mind the paintings by Jackson Pollock. In conversation with Nora Khereddine, Kehrle explains why this collaboration is here to stay.

Domotex, second time. For the next round in January Stefan Diez is back on board. This time as the chairman of the jury of the newly-created “Innovations@Domotex” platform. The Munich-based designer chats here about his renewed involvement, the oohs and aahs of floor coverings, and his preference for made-to-fit, hand-made carpets.

Domotex is set to undergo yet another makeover in 2014. At the press conference for the new concept Robert Volhard spoke with Jochen Köckler, Board Member at Deutsche Messe AG, about trade fairs and “Innovations@Domotex”, the new communications program Deutsche Messe AG has co-developed with Stylepark.