Along new paths
“New Authentics”
The aesthetic qualities of the materials such as wood, ceramic or linoleum which Berlin-based Hanne Willmann uses for her “New Authentics” project first come to the fore in when carefully crafted. She takes the fuse wires that you normally notice as the seams when linoleum gets laid to create graphic patterns. With tiled surfaces she again emphasizes the connections: The mortar that bulges out slightly between the tiles become a defining element, and the pattern serves to ensure better adhesion.
“Track & Trace”
Dutchman Klaas Kuiken feels that the floor of tomorrow will have a surface that changes constantly in response to the user. In his “Track & Trace” design the focus is on interaction with the floor. Interconnected tiles in the shape of a pentagon respond to the pressure exerted by feet. They shift slightly, their colored edged emerge, and illumination beneath them gets activated. Moreover, people leave traces on the flooring and change it in that way, too.
“Transitions”
Bilge Nur Saltik, based in Istanbul and London, relies on the shifts between different materials as the defining element in her flooring concept called “Transitions”. At the same time, she plays with contrasts: A hard parquet surface flows softly into a soft carpet material, small parallelogram tiles are linked with vinyl flooring. The connecting system: the cut-outs at the end of a section of material that is then dovetailed with the suitable elements on the next section. This gives the floor an interesting haptic quality and its can be laid without adhesives.
“Mineralartificial Walking”
For “Mineralartifical Walking” Parisian Victoria Wilmotte deploys traditional materials such as stone and marble in an unusual way. Small square slabs or irregular fragments are combined using artificial resin and in striking colors. What has otherwise been regarded as an annoying grout is very broad here and thus becomes an equally important part of the design of her novel stone floors. She creates surprising highlights with this kind of joint.
“Merzing”
Jane Briggs and Christy Cole have taken their inspiration from Kurt Schwitters’ Merzbau, where an installation extends across the floor, walls and ceiling. “Merzing” is a floor covering that can be individually customized by digital printing and is suitable for all surfaces in the room. In their installation the Glasgow duo presents posters that extend to the floor, laser-cut carpets and herringbone parquet. These materials are printed with seemingly 3D graphics.
