People spend a considerable amount of time in their lives waiting. And especially waiting in traffic – for the train to pass, the traffic jam to break up or the red light to change.
Back in 2007, this waiting at traffic lights inspired office furniture specialists Vitra to launch a series of exhibitions. For a period of three weeks, six renowned architectural firms are invited to use the Frankfurt showroom to stage experimental installations in a space-consuming scenography inspired by the following question: How can dynamism, standstill and motion be translated into striking form? And while the traffic lights on the busy Gutleutstrasse thoroughfare are red, passing motorists are meant to become participants in the exhibition, at least for a brief moment. weiterlesen…
In the context of the Cologne furniture fair in 1970 Bayer in cooperation with the Danish designer Verner Panton presented Visiona II, an almost breathtaking interior staging wallowing in colors and forms. On the occasion of the exhibition’s 40th anniversary we took another look at this much discussed concept.
“Barbarella” in the cinema and the Moon landing on TV: Once upon a time the future was so near that one could have almost nestled down in it. Interior landscape was the magic term that promised a sensual way of life freed from all conventions. And polyurethan, polyester, polypropylene etc. were the all-rounders from the chemical retort that opened up a whole new design perspective together with technological advancement, economical boom and social change: motley colors and buxom curves, desire beats reason. weiterlesen…
Eight months before the event kicks off, the trade fair duo imm cologne and LivingKitchen is on track for success and can already look forward to a strong exhibitor presence. By adapting the parameters to the sector’s requirements, the imm cologne and LivingKitchen are presenting the trade fair doubles as a bespoke event for the kitchen and furnishing sectors. The Monday has been designated Preview Day for exhibitors’ invitation-only guests and news media representatives.
“The aim of this Preview Day is to create better conditions for cultivating special and important business relationships,” says Gerald Böse, CEO of Koelnmesse. Among other things, the extra day gives exhibitors the opportunity to conduct intense talks with important export customers – an aspect that will make the imm cologne even more attractive, especially for trade visitors from neighbouring countries. The press can experience the new products in a relaxed atmosphere, whilst exhibitors will have the chance to present their innovations and interior design philosophies to the media in detail and hold their own press conferences. The Preview Day will be held for both the imm cologne and LivingKitchen.
The 2010 year in furniture begins on January19 at imm cologne with an explosion of trends, new products and inspirational exhibition design all centred around the theme of living and interior design.
Here, you are directly in the centre of a thriving market, here, business is made. There are many good reasons why you should be there, when Cologne is again home to all things design, trends and business.
Cecilie Manz, Marcus Fairs, Johanna Grawunder, Giulio Ridolfo and Bertjan Pot (f.l.t.r.) Photo: Koelnmesse; Lutz Sternstein
Every summer, five or six renowned designers get together in the tower block of Cologne exhibition centre for an unusual workshop that culminates in a prognosis of the most important developments in interior design: the Trend Book with the interior trends of the coming year. Every year, the Trendboard convened by the imm cologne brings together product designers, architects, material specialists and journalists who are regarded as internationally acknowledged authorities on design and are successful at international level. The Trendboard line-up changes every year and represents several nationalities and disciplines.
This year, materials specialist Giulio Ridolfo and journalist Marcus Fairs ensure the desired continuity. Giulio Ridolfo, a designer and textile consultant from Italy’s creative stronghold Udine, made a name for himself with his unusual works for the likes of Patricia Urquiola.
London author Marcus Fairs’ reputation is founded on his online magazine dezeen. New impulses came from American architect and interior designer Johanna Grawunder, whose work in the field of product design includes exclusive and colourful limited editions, and Cecilie Manz, a young and successful designer from Denmark with an excellent instinct for materials and colours. Dutch designer Bertjan Pot, the third new face on this year’s Trendboard, is also part of the young, successful generation of designers that is currently accelerating the pace of change in the design scene.
As in previous years, the Trendboard was accompanied by Andrej Kupetz, managing director of the Frankfurt-based German Design Council since 1999.
On its way to becoming a holistic furnishings and interior design trade fair, imm cologne will continue its decisive development in the coming year – from a display of products to a forum at which the design worlds of tomorrow are displayed.
The framework for this development will be the new sequence of days from Tuesday, 19 January to Sunday, 24 January 2010 and the changed opening hours of 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The public days will remain Saturday and Sunday.
“imm cologne as a trade fair is subject to constant change and must reflect changes in the market – both from the point of view of offerings and in the manner of its presentation. We want to show visitors that in Cologne you can experience business anew”, says Udo Traeger, head of the Furniture, Interior Design and Textiles division at Koelnmesse.
Irrespective of whether in Singapore, Herrenberg or Willisau, in Stanleytown, Stadtlohn or Ikornnes, well-known international furniture manufacturers are gearing up for imm cologne(January 19 to 25, 2009).
What has attracted exhibitors and visitors from all over the world to this mega-event in Cologne for nearly 60 years?
What wood varieties are currently in vogue? Any what about the latest ideas in seating? What type of functions do manufacturers install in the latest generation of kitchen, living room and bedroom cupboards? Anyone seeking answers to such questions will head for interzum, the world’s leading trade fair for supplies, materials and components for the furniture and building interior completion industries. They may also very well make a beeline for the International Furniture Fairimm cologne. Even better, both.
“These two fairs have a number of interesting and complementary crossover features,” says Udo Traeger, Vice President Furniture, Interior Design and Textiles of Koelnmesse. “For example, the visitor to interzum will come across some item of detail or a system, which a short time later will turn up at the imm cologne fully integrated within a finished product. weiterlesen…
imm cologne 2009: 7 days, 7 nights – enjoy a video preview of Cologne as THE interior design city and imm as the international fair of design. Explore fascinating new products and trends for interior living from January 19 – 25, 2009.
In the context of the 
The 2010 year in furniture begins on January19 at 
