Standing out from the crowd
Individuality is in demand, and stand furniture is no exception. To stand out, arouse curiosity and show good style: Whatever your aim, the latest in lounge and waiting zone furniture is both varied and appealing.
The furniture and interior design sector convened at imm cologne this January. What came out of this trade fair, which occupied the entire venue, is that demand for individual design is finally overtaking mass taste. "Variety" is the big trend at the moment. The offer is actually so varied that style groups clearly outnumber target groups.
That also applies to lounge and waiting zone furniture, which is so often encountered on trade fair stands these days. The reason: "In an age when products are becoming more and more similar both technically and in design, the cross-section models or working exhibits seen 15 or 20 years ago no longer have to be shown along with the original product", explains Wolfgang Seidl, managing director of kopfstand mobiliar, Feldkirchen. "Everyone knows the product. This is why today everyone has time to sit round informally in a friendly cosy atmosphere, which includes the furniture, and have a chat at the exhibition stand. About the product, market strategies and everything under the sun. That is why lounge-like arrangements have become more and more common at stands these past few years. Of course, this will in turn be superseded by the next generation of ideas for exhibitions. We are already working on them!"
Despite the never-ending demand for new products, classics still have a large role to play in this segment. Seidl puts it in a nutshell. "Classics are always in demand, otherwise they wouldn't be classics. But they don't have to be at least 50 years old. New models are being designed today that are everything a classic needs to be. But what distinguishes such a design, apart from good design quality and excellent workmanship, trend-setting manufacturing methods, desirability, small production capacities of the manufacturers and the resulting high price?" In recent years the value of classics has been diminished not only by counterfeits, which is a big problem, but also by modern methods of mass-producing furniture. "Prominent examples of this are the dr. glob chair, the bombo bar stool, and soon also its successor lem. These chairs are produced in such large quantities that they have simply flooded the market and, after huge initial demand, nobody can stand the sight of them any more. Nevertheless, these three models will certainly be considered modern classics once the mass hysteria has abated."
kopfstand is always on the look-out for new good and desirable models. Current highlights include sputnik II, an item of lounge furniture that takes you back in time and sets you dreaming, wave lounge, which is ideal for forming a lounge or waiting area, and schwan, a top-quality easy chair, for just reclining, relaxing and letting your imagination run free. No fewer than 30 new items will be included in the company's forthcoming autumn catalogue.
According to Panelement, Kerpen, the classic line in black and leather, but also imaginative modern furniture, are popular for trade fair lounges. The design of the lounge depends on the overall concept of the trade fair appearance. But there is always a demand for unusual items, even from conservative customers. This especially applies to new materials and shapes. Plastic furniture is particularly in vogue for informal lounges.
The product range of Panelement is particularly unusual and diverse. The newly included Planet armchair, for example, combines functionality with comfort and quality design. The black-stained wooden wedges in a chrome frame are a visual highlight. The spherical seat shell can be rotated, has a classic form and is extremely comfortable.
The Bandoneon bench is a good example of how flexibility can be married with originality. Different shapes can be put together in a modular system; several Bandoneons joined with clips can form one long bench, in a wavy or straight arrangement. A circle can also be formed that can be used either as a bench or a table for setting down drinks, for example. The translucent material is a particularly good attention getter if the furniture is placed in front or on top of illuminated surfaces.
The dark-silver Gehry bench from Frank Gehry is suitable for both indoor and outdoor events. Its smooth polypropylene surface is resistant to liquids and the design is unusual without being overbearing. Edges of different lengths create visual tension. There is also a matching stool that can be used as a side table or pedestal. In this case, flowing silhouettes are amalgamated with smooth surfaces and high functionality. Anyone familiar with the Guggenheim Museum or other buildings by Gehry will recognise his style in this furniture.
The Monoflexus armchair is not entirely new but remarkable nevertheless. Its holes excite interest and curiosity but the high backrest still gives the sitter a feeling of being "protected". This armchair can be used as a centrepiece in a lounge area. With this sort of comfort, who cares if discreet discussions take a long time?
In the same style, there is also the Flexus sofa. The round cut-outs in the back are a playful feature that visually integrates people and exhibits behind the sofa. Combined with the Monoflexus armchair, it forms an unusual and attention-getting lounge corner.
Orgatech from Stuttgart was quick to catch the trend in lounge furniture and successfully occupied this niche with a diverse range. The company offers its customers throughout Europe a wide spectrum of hire furniture comprising 1,200 separate items - some of which can be hired out no less than 20,000 times. Moreover, a number of objects are exclusively supplied by Orgatech. The furniture experts have a growing number of locations in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, all near to trade fair venues.
One new item offered by Orgatech is the Blues lounge chair made of black leather and chrome with an extra wide seat. The range also includes the attractive Tempest lounge armchair with a classic, high-quality look made of stainless steel and white leather, the spherical Perfect Lounge made of fibre glass with a black leather seat or the oval Eye Ball made of fibre glass with red upholstery.
Since the beginning of the year, JMT Mietmöbel Deutschland, Hilden, has been offering a versatile, individual concept for designing event locations and trade fair stands with its "Lounge Atmosphere" programme. Lounge Atmosphere impresses by its flexible applications. The elements styled in elegant white can be individually combined in any location and highlighted in numerous colours by variable light design.
The traditional Swiss manufacturer Züco from Rebstein, near St. Gallen, has three new lounge programmes: Ingresso, Carat and Rilasso. Ingresso is reminiscent of 50's and 60's designs and is aimed at customers requiring cult furnishings for their waiting zones. An upholstered large-seat stool is the basic element. This is visually and functionally upgraded with a beech back. The programme is rounded off with a choice of triangular or rhomboid table elements that can be used as a surface for placing objects while at the same time providing the key component in a chain of seats.
Clear, no-nonsense design in the best Bauhaus tradition and high product quality and functionality make Carat a timeless piece of furniture. Classy, cubic, high-quality - ideal for upmarket reception areas and waiting zones. The large-surface, soft seating surfaces make for relaxation in comfort. The high backrest cushions provide a soft support for the body and take the load off your back. The upholstery consists of air-permeable, CFC-free cut foam and non-woven material padding. Seven cover qualities in fabric, leather and wool are available in 51 different colours.
Waiting rooms with a representative function, cultural foyers and comfortable communication zones are just some of the many applications for the new clear-line Rilasso lounge programme. The managing director of Züco and designer Roland Zünd calls his new range "an entry programme into lounge seating". It is a typical Roland Zünd design: clear, timeless and cubic. The timeless programme consists of ottomans and two different height armchairs: the narrower is 46 cm high, the broader is 42 cm high. Matching side tables come precisely up to the seat surfaces in the case of the ottomans and the armrests in the case of the armchairs. The table and chair form an inseparable unit.
The Brent armchair, designed by Björn Dahlström for David design, Malmö, Sweden, has already bagged the +1 prize as the most interesting new product at the furniture fair in Stockholm in February. The easy chair has an extended seat, like a mini chaise-longue. It tempts you to try out various sitting positions and makes an interesting new visual impression.
m+a report Nr.2 / 2006 vom 24.03.2006
m+a report vom 24. März 2006