Network node
In the second year following the grand relaunch of Domotex, the world’s leading trade fair for floor coverings, the organizers in Hanover are sticking to their guns: The successful new concepts and formats are going into the next round and the 2019 event looks to be absolutely thrilling once again. The upcoming Domotex edition will be held under the guiding theme of “Create’N’Connect” – with a focus on the “mega trend” connectivity, a topic that runs through the entire fair like a golden thread. The participants have interpreted the topic in highly individual ways, with solutions related to technology, culture, and sometimes very much to practical use – after all, floors often constitute a shared and connecting foundation. And, like every year, Domotex itself is also going to be a huge network node – more than ever it will be connecting exhibitors and visitors, creatives and manufacturers, retailers and clients.
Connectivity is the order of the day in the “Framing Trends” section, the core of the fair in Hall 9. On special areas, manufacturers, creative professionals and universities will showcase their visions relating to the motto “Create'N'Connect” in the shape of exciting presentations. These may center on anything from fluid transitions between materials to technical features that visitors may interact with.
The internationally renowned speakers invited to the “Talks” lecture program taking place on the stage in the “Framing Trends” area in Hall 9 will also be illuminating different facets of the connectivity theme. Designer Sebastian Herkner will, for example, be speaking about the topic “Connected by Technology” on January 11, and architect Ester Bruzkus will be lecturing on the topic “Connected to Social and Cultural Patterns” on January 12.
Alongside her talk, Ester Bruzkus will also be acting as one of the four trend scouts who will be blogging on all topics related to flooring and connectivity during Domotex. She is supported by carpet expert Michael Christie, who is also the mastermind of the blog “The Ruggist,” as well as by interior design students Sarah Busching and Sarah Strenge from Wismar University. Busching will not just be blogging, either: Her exciting project “A Match” will be on view at Domotex in the “Framing Trends” section. It involves two people attempting to swing in unison on a pair of swings divided by a wall. Only when they manage to do so can they see each other on a live video feed. Sarah Strenge will also be represented in the “Framing Trends” special area as a NuThinker with her project “connect it³.”
The guided tours are great for gaining an overview of innovative products and solutions in the premium segment at Domotex. Here, architects and design experts show visitors around the fair and present their personal highlights on the guiding theme “Create'N'Connect”. Tours are given, among others, by architects Peter Greenberg (Ester Bruzkus Architects) and Polina Goldberg (Tchoban Voss Architects) as well as design journalist Martina Metzner.
All the relevant information at a glance:
Domotex – The World of Flooring
Friday, January 11 through to Monday, January 14, 2019
From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily
Hanover exhibition grounds
“Framing Trends” under the guiding theme “Create'N'Connect”:
In Hall 9 with the areas “Flooring Spaces,” “Art & Intervention” and “NuThinkers.”
Domotex guided tours of the fair:
With: Susanne Schmidhuber (Schmidhuber), Hendrik Müller (einszu33), Peter Greenberg (Ester Bruzkus Architects), Marina-Elena Wachs (Marina-Elena Wachs – Material & Design), Martina Metzner (abaut – editorial office for design and architecture), Roland Bondzio & Petra Wollenberg (behet bondzio lin architekten), Polina Goldberg (Tchoban Voss Architects) and the NuThinkers young designers.
At 10 a.m. to 12 noon and at 3.15 to 5.15 p.m. on all four fair days.
Domotex talks:
Talk 1: Connected by Technology
Friday, January 11, 2019, 1 to 3 p.m.
With: Martin Tamke (Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts), Tim Edler (realities:united), Sebastian Herkner (Studio Sebastian Herkner)
Talk 2: Connected to Social and Cultural Patterns
Saturday, January 12, 2019, 1 to 3 p.m.
With: Ester Bruzkus (Ester Bruzkus Architects), Louis Schulz (Assemble Studio), Maarten Gielen
Talk 3: Connected through Emotions
Sunday, January 13, 2019, 1 to 3 p.m.
With: Špela Videcnik (OFIS Architects), Thomas Burlon (Brandlhuber+), Katrin Greiling (Studio Greiling)
Talk 4: NuThinker Stage
Monday, January 14, 2019, 1 to 3 p.m.
With: Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Ingo Krapf (Fachhoschule Trier), Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Oliver Hantke (Hochschule Wismar), Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Frank Nickerl (Detmolder Schule für Architektur und Innenarchitektur) and students of the respective universities.
