Materials Culture

Special area dedicated to materials innovation at the intersections between different cultures

23–27 October 2018, Cologne

Location: Orgatec 2018, KölnMesse, hall 8
Organizer: KölnMesse
Materials selection and didactics: Dr. Sascha Peters
Exhibition design: Diana Drewes

Under the motto “Culture@Work”, Orgatec 2018 focused on the development of workplaces in different professional groups, industries and countries. While positions in some companies are still firmly bound to an office environment, some professional fields are becoming increasingly liberated from fixed working hours and a specific desk space. At ORGATEC 2018, Koelnmesse outlined the processes that will change the world of work in future and exhibits new products for interiors.

Architects, designers and producers have more and more innovative materials at their disposal today, and these vary widely in terms of the cultural influences in the country of production, the resources available and the production methods used. More and more frequently we see a rediscovery of traditional manufacturing methods and materials, which – when transferred to the modern digital workplace – offer special design options. Subtile distinctions in the innovation cultures influence producers as they develop new materials solutions, and interior designers as they create sophisticated spaces.

After the huge success of the “Smart Office Materials” special area in the last two editions of ORGATEC, the Berlin-based trend agency HAUTE INNOVATION has been commissioned in 2018 with the realization of a special area dedicated to “Materials Culture”, bringing together the latest innovations on the intersections between cultures for visitors.

Highlights of the show with 100 exhibits on 500 sqm were:
– Furniture form lava material (Buzao, China)
– Tresta material made from grape remains (Katharina Hölz, Germany)
– Wild silk textiles (CPALI, Madagascar)
– Karuun rattan composite (out of space, Bavaria/Indonesia)
– Algae foam (Vivobarefoot, London)
– LAAB: Lamps made from fallen leaves (MIYUCA, Italy)
– Furniture made from thistle fibers (Kizis Arcitects, Athens)
– Wooden helmet made of nano cellulose foam (Cellutech, Sweden)
– Concrete with bio-based reinforcement from Africa (BAM, Berlin)
– Inflatable Wood (Arca, France)
– Eucalyptus board (PLADEC, Portugal)
– BioComposites from bowls of eggs, nuts and cocoa beans (Rania Elkalla, Egypt)

www.orgatec.de

image source: KölnMesse