Using the right heating system, the ecological impact of buildings that comply with the passivhaus standard can be enhanced still further. Visitors to the ISH can admire current developments for tiled stoves, open fireplaces, pellet ovens and stoves.

A lot of dynamics in sight: Under the title “Unnatural Selection” sculptor Tony Cragg is showing a selection of his sculptures in Darmstadt.

With its spacious cero sliding windows, Solarlux brighten up a villa on the edge of the woods.

Future break time in the lounge: In Stockholm Flötotto is presenting its first furniture collection. Designed by Swedish design trio Claesson Koivisto Rune, it is intended for schools as well as other areas.

Red threads, wild patterns: The Scandinavians once again proved their talent for good living indoors when outdoors things are stormy and snowy – at the Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair.

Greenland's first own prison is currently being built. Designed by Danish architecture studio Schmidt Hammer Lassen, it will afford up to 400 inmates an unimpeded view of a fjord, where they can watch the seasons, ice floes and occasionally, with a bit of luck, a whale passing by.

Many people dream of transforming their bathroom into living space. What can still easily be realized are practical tiled landscapes. At the ISH the trend forum Pop up my Bathroom showcases several potential versions of a cozy bathroom.

Jaime Hayon is a master at turning his flights of fancy into three-dimensional objects. His most recent installation, “Stone Age Folk” created in collaboration with Caesarstone, is all about masks.

A stroke of luck: In his exhibition “Full House” at the MAKK in Cologne, Stefan Diez develops new perspectives on design in a globalized world and in so doing presents himself and how he works.

Alfredo Häberli, Special Guest at Domotex 2017, joined Robert Volhard from Stylepark and Thomas Edelmann in visiting selected trade fair stands and the forum “Young Designer Trendtable.”

A column by Michael Erlhoff how design preserves itself.

In 1924 the painter, book designer and typographer Paul Renner was commissioned to design “the typeface of our time.” But Renner looked to the future and created Futura. Now Gutenberg Museum Mainz is telling the story of this sanserif typeface.

Hugh Broughton Architects has designed the world‘s first walking research station. It has been standing on an ice shelf off mainland Antarctica since 2013 and has just finished its first “walk.”

In the spring the sanitary, heating and air-conditioning technology sector looks to Frankfurt/Main once again: The world’s leading trade fair for the combination of water and energy ISH takes place there from March 14 to 18, 2017.

Cooktop downdraft ventilation units that suck away the fat and smells directly next to the pots have clear advantages over the old extractor hoods. We took a look at the latest systems at the Living Kitchen.

Kitchens and cars have more in common in the digital age than you might imagine. At the Living Kitchen in Cologne there were strong signs of how kitchens are upgrading digitally, too.

Le Corbusier, the man who was possibly the most important architect of the 20th century, and true Swabian quality meet up at kitchen manufacturer Leicht. Why? Daniel von Bernstorff and Fabian Peters asked Director Stefan Waldenmaier.

Two small new buildings with an iridescent metal façade have been integrated into one of Bahrain’s historical districts. They were developed by Belgian architects Kersten Geers and David van Severen for a project in aid of preserving the music and culture of local pearl divers.

Conservative – a thing of the past. Be it strong accents or a chic mix – at the imm cologne you could see colorful furniture wherever you looked. In future, each brand no doubt needs its own color concept.

Fine marble, soft velvet, satin shimmering brass and much more besides: Apartment furnishings are becoming more strikingly elegant and exclusive, as was firmly in evidence at the imm cologne.

Petersen Tegl has clad the new Kunstmuseum Basel building in a brick façade with fine reliefs – and it corresponds with the main building.

Since 1987 Nani Marquina has been producing hand-made designer carpets. As a trailblazer in carpet design she has set many new standards. At imm cologne Anna Moldenhauer spoke with her about her current “Tres” collection and found out just why she is so fascinated by the traditional art of weaving.

Manufacturers and designers got as close as weft and warp for the “Featured Editions” at the imm cologne – with gleaming yarns, seemingly endless sofas, and a stunning demonstration.

Todd Bracher’s idea for his installation “Das Haus” at the imm cologne 2017: Back to the basics! After all, what is a house? The amalgamation of needs and functions that makes our lives easier.

On walls, in corners, on podiums or simply all over: The imm cologne 2017 provided plenty of opportunities for reflection and illusion.

Diversity is a great thing, but makes orientation a tad harder. One possible antidote: revivals, furniture in XXXL, and armchairs that hug the seated. On all the things the imm cologne 2017 had to offer.

Intelligent product advancements and surprising innovations were in evidence at DOMOTEX, the world’s largest trade fair for floor coverings, which took place from January 14 to 17 in Hanover.

Lindner has fitted out the multipurpose complex Arabeska in Munich with durable floor coverings.

Reggiani sheds the right light on the works in the “Storefront for Art and Architecture” in Manhattan.

Every two years come January, the halls at the Munich trade fair ground fill to bursting: Because that is when the BAU opens its doors, again – the world’s largest construction trade fair. We checked everything out and have selected the most important novelties for you here.

This year, Stylepark again teamed up with Marc Meiré and AD to host a cocktail party during the imm cologne. 200 guests chatted and celebrated until the wee, wee hours.

People need the right light at the right time. And that means outside, too. Which is why “human-scale lighting” is shaping the most interesting developments in outdoor luminaires.

Furniture, luminaires, and special gallery editions by Parisian Eric Jourdan are invariably very refined and elegant. As is “Riga”, his new upholstered furniture for Ligne Roset. The designer and Martina Metzner made themselves comfortable on it to talk about French feelings, vivacious lines, and barbarian times.