Cologne has had to take a lot of criticism this year. Ben van Berkel's already almost legendary carpet flop in Hall 11, which was heralded as an urban master plan, visibly lacked an overarching concept, and the international audience increasingly shied away from Cologne, hitting it very hard. However, there were of course interesting things to be found at this year's imm too. Here are a few impressions of the things which stood out for us:Pallucco and Susanne PhilippsonYoung designers often tell of how difficult it is to convince renowned companies of the worth of their designs. This was not so, however, in the case of the collaboration between the Italian company Pallucco and Berlin-based designer Susanne Philippson. Pallucco presented the designer's second collection in Lichthaus Remagen in Cologne.www.pallucco.net
www.philippson.orgAgape at ChrisbelThe furniture store Chrisbel at Neumarkt has acquired a prominent new resident. From now on, it will house the Italian bathroom manufacturer Agape. Agape stands for exclusivity, eccentricity and unmistakable Italian virtues. If you need this for your bathroom, make your way to Chrisbel.www.chrisbel.com
www.agapedesign.itHFG Karlsruhe two timesThe HfG Karlsruhe (Karlsruhe Academy of Design) was present on the ground in Cologne with two successful projects. Together with the switch manufacturer Merten, it presented an exhibition in the Spichernhöfe where students took the concept of switching to new dimensions. It was innovative, sensory, creative and entertaining.
In the Talent area of the fair, Stefan Diez's class showed designs which were realized together with the manufacturers Nanoo by Faserplast and Rosenthal. A good example of a well thought-out and creative collaboration between a university, a renowned designer working there and manufacturing firms.www.hfg-karlsruhe.de
www.stefan-diez.com
www.merten.deFritz Hansen in DüsseldorfA trip to Düsseldorf is well worth it. The Danish manufacturer has located its central German branch here in the futuristic Media Port, which boasts buildings by Gehry, Ingenhoven and co. Fritz Hansen simply strikes the right balance between classics (a new edition of Arne Jacobsen's Egg Chair was presented) and the new collections, which increasingly involve young designers too. The showroom is open all year round.www.fritzhansen.com