Magazin

Think of all the things we could be afraid of – or at least imagine that we could be. Like a cactus forest? Or Grandpa’s wingback chair? An entertaining pocket lexicon tells us a little more on the subject.

James Irvine, the London-born designer and one of the most eminent product designers of our time, died unexpectedly on February 17, 2013. We are both shocked and deeply saddened by this loss and would like to bid farewell to a great designer and man.

In the wake of the devastating earthquake of 1963, which almost completely destroyed Skopje, the now capital of Macedonia, Kenzo Tange devised a master plan for a new city that did in fact become a reality, as fragmentary as its formation may have been. But the vestiges of Yugoslavian Socialism made possible by its authoritarian constructs are now under threat from modern-day plans.

What exactly are architects interested in when visiting the BAU trade fair in Munich? We decided to find out. Robert Volhard joined Amandus Sattler, founding partner of “Allmann, Sattler, Wappner Architekten”, as he made his way around the fair, and there were certainly a few surprises in store.

He learned to see with Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, he’s always good for a surprise and he loves Japan. Uta Abendroth met the 33-year-old Frenchman, a real up-and-comer in the design world, at imm Cologne where he presented his “Lace” stool for Ligne Roset.

Scandinavian design stands for simplicity, reliability and high-quality craftsmanship. At this year’s Stockholm Furniture Fair we were met with attempts to redefine such values in the 21st century.

When the fair comes to town, as in the Stockholm Furniture Fair and the Northern Light Fair – galleries, studios and showrooms across the whole of Stockholm open their doors and the crowds come flocking. There’s always something new waiting to be discovered – in homes, in an old building near the docks, a repurposed parking lots, or even an attic. The Stockholm Design Week team even went so far as to fill a tunnel with robots.

Plastic Chairs for all! How one 1950s chair design became an expression of the desire for individuality that shapes our times.

In Italy, the highly traditional furniture sector is undergoing a phase of renewal. Robert Volhard talked to Dario Rinero, CEO of Poltrona Frau Group, about the current situation and the changes ahead.

Down through the years, sculptor Claus Bury has photographed anonymous architectural works made of straw. And now thanks to a new picture book we can marvel at his images of such “farmed architecture”.

For Didier Gomez a sofa is the key piece of furniture in any apartment – on it, people live, work, lounge and relax. Uta Abendroth talks to the Spaniard, who started out on a career as an opera singer before switching to design, about his latest creation, “Nils” for Ligne Roset, his role models in the field, comfort and perfection.

As the “world’s leading trade fair for architecture, materials, systems” BAU in Munich offers a wealth of information for architects, planners and anyone with an interest in today’s building solutions, or tomorrow’s. That said, this time round highly customizable standard solutions took center stage while true innovation remained scarce.

The times when flooring led an existence as the Cinderella of the interior design world are over. The whole industry has discovered its creative side and carpeting has received something of an image makeover over the past few years. But wooden and laminate flooring aren’t far behind. This year, Domotex in Hanover even put on a special show on its leading theme “Flooring Deluxe”, curated by designer Stefan Diez.

At this year’s “Maison&Objet” in Paris the focus was on more than just tradition and craftsmanship. Another trend we noted: in an attempt to address a wider audience, design manufacturers demonstrated an increasing consideration of new product categories in the areas of accessories.

During imm Cologne, the Museum für Angewandte Kunst opened a special kind of exhibition: “Isn’t it romantic? – Contemporary Design Balancing between Poetry and Provocation”. An homage to the longing for a world that isn’t always perfect.

Touch-screen displays, adjustable work surfaces, sensor-controlled coffee making: “Living Kitchen”, the biennial fair parallel to imm Cologne, presented technology as an aid to a better life.. A vision that even proves rather convincing on occasion.

The imm Cologne is swiftly getting back on an even keel. And how are designers and manufacturers making use of the opportunity? A tour of the trade fair shows that they often resorted to the tried-and-true, reanimating and dressing it up for contemporary use. Even Konstantin Grcic opted for a tongue-in-cheek approach to a design classic.

“Featured Editions” developed by the imm Cologne in collaboration with Stylepark and premiering at this year’s fair presented a broad spectrum of concepts that were both creative and artistic. The new format saw a positive response from exhibitors and visitors alike – plans for the next installment in 2014 are already in the pipeline.

In honor of his 70th birthday, Architecture Forum Aedes in Berlin has doffed its metaphorical cap to Wolf D. Prix, dedicating a small retrospective to the architect and his firm Coop Himmelb(l)au.

What will tomorrow’s offices look like? What role will technology play in all this? Or aesthetics? Thomas Wagner spoke to Hanns-Peter Cohn, CEO at Vitra, about the office as an urban landscape, tiny office cubicles and places of retreat, replacing felt with polyester and future developments.

This year’s Heimtextil in Frankfurt runs the danger of being memorable for its superficiality rather than its quality. However, they have come up with some real highlights – and these aren’t restricted to the “Being” trend show alone.

I’m tempted to say: It’s about time. Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec have been named “A&W Designers of the Year 2013”. Certainly cause for a portrait of these two designers extraordinaire.

“…There is something charming in the sound of an old wooden floor and the silence of a thick woolen carpet…”

“…In this way, we have on the one hand transformed the fair stand into a notional art gallery, on the other into a woodland scene…”

“…The concept was inspired by warship ‘dazzle’ design, which was used in the early 20th century to provide abstract camouflage to moving objects…”

“…the rugs become reminiscent of corals, anemones or sponges…”

“…This was in fact our first real contact with the area of ‘flooring’…”

“…My favorite type of flooring? The turf in Munich’s ‘Allianz Arena‘…“

The BAU, world’s leading trade fair for architecture, materials and systems, celebrates its 20 year anniversary in 2013. A list of selected exhibitors shows you which manufacturers are to be found where.

“…to be honest I had never really stopped to think about laminate flooring before…”

“…combine different types of wood in homage to the material’s diversity…”

“…The ground has our utmost attention…”

Each year, imm cologne is the first event to present the latest home trends for Europe and overseas. Over 1,050 exhibitors from more than 50 countries will present their innovations at the furniture fair. An exhibitor schedule presents the most important manufacturers.

It’s all go again in Cologne! Everybody is getting ready for imm Cologne, but that’s by no means all the city has to offer. We’re already looking forward to the furniture frenzy, “Passagen” Interior Design Week, Designer of the Year, and of course to Cologne, Kölsch beer and critique. Or will it all be much more romantic than we think?