Innovation & Technology

The sensitive refurbishment of a former grain testing warehouse on the Spandau shipping canal in Berlin revives the historic charm of the building, opening it up to contemporary use.

Four decades ago, friends Herbert Holtgreife and Heinz-Theo Ebbert played around with the idea of how to fold glass. Ever since, their company Solarlux has been optimising the light in our work and living spaces.

In this monthly format, we bring you the must-see projects and articles you may have missed over the last four weeks on Architonic. Featured in November: private and public spaces for the senses, a reimagined architecture archetype and an exclusive

Material innovation has become well established as a guiding principle of contemporary design. But in Eindhoven, one tried-and-tested building element in particular received not one, but multiple original modernisations.

The new Steelcase Karman office chair brings unparalleled levels of comfort and flexibility to the genre in a mindfully pared-back form…

TOURS, TALKS & TOURS, LIBRARY TOURS and LIVE TALKS, big questions and clear answers as well as an elaborately presented material library: This is how you can keep track at the international marketplace for home and contract textiles…

For the upcoming edition in January, Heimtextil is adding an important new product segment, with textile floor coverings this year getting their very own stage.

This coming January, the international trade fair for home and contract textiles Heimtextil will address a style-defining ecological change in the sector with Heimtextil Trends 24/25.

Sitting down with imm cologne creative director Dick Spierenburg on the fair's 2024 theme of ‘Connecting Communities’ in a changing landscape and why the trade fair is returning to its January date...

An inventive spirit, friendship and even a love story lie behind the enduring success of the Villeroy & Boch brand…

The third edition of Switzerland's largest design event brought together emerging talent and established names for an investigation into circularity, place-making and contemporary design practice.

In this monthly format, we bring you the must-see projects and articles you may have missed over the last four weeks on Architonic. Featured in October: architecture that reinvents itself, the future of materials and spaces to cosy up in during the

Leaves aren't the only things changing. October was packed with industry gatherings to discuss new ways to tackle our shared future – while we proudly launched our new DAAily insights tool, which will help fuel yours.

At this year's fair, six Dutch furniture makers will band together for the first time in an exclusive exhibition that showcases sustainability dilemmas and invites dialogue. We get a sneak peek at what's to come.

Climate change has triggered a process of rethinking within the construction industry, and electrical expert Hager is supporting this change towards more climate-positive planning and building with not only its products but also its know-how.

Even in small spaces, glass allows us to convey a feeling of expansiveness. With its new cero IV, Solarlux presents an uncompromisingly narrow sliding window system that opens up maximum scope for light and visibility.

At the London Design Fair, Material Matters and other exhibitions and installations across the city, designers, architects, engineers and other change makers reveal their latest work on sustainable materials.

We're all in this together. Architonic's autumn kicks off with circularity and community.

The new Viewgo pro meets a growing market need.

Homeowners targeting carbon neutrality by reducing their reliance on fossil fuels can simply turn off the gas. But is the alternative just an all-electric dream?

A balanced lighting concept consists of three layers: ambient lighting, accent lighting and task lighting. Find out here which luminaires are suitable for what and how the required lumen output is calculated...

Created by Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen, the story of the iconic PH5 pendant lamp is one of experimental science, and continues to guide both lighting and interior designers to this day.

In Copenhagen, World Capital of Architecture 2023, a visionary and experimental project has been created in the heart of the city, driven by Danish window manufacturer, VELUX.

With far more certainty than the average weather forecast, these all-climate outdoor seating solutions predict a sweeping front of comfort, whatever the weatherman says.

The unheard tales from Clerkenwell’s cobbled streets represent the steep path of innovation in new materials, surfaces and technologies hitting the marketplace.

Dutch furniture brand De Vorm is a pioneer in the use of PET Felt and committed to the creation of customisable, sustainable furniture and lighting products that enhance wellbeing in the workplace.

Door communication meets design: Intuitive and sleek, Elcom motion allows house entrances to make a contemporary first impression.

The time is now for a breakthrough in toilet technology. These latest sanitary innovations are set to clean up the WC’s act. We line them up against the wall.

In the third part of the Busch-Jaeger Intelligence Series – a series of three articles sponsored by the specialist for electrical installation technology and building automation – together with Prof. Dr. Michael Krödel from the Rosenheim

By relaunching their iconic range 477/801 with new colour combinations, the Germany-based expert for barrier-free bathroom products gives new life to a design classic and refreshes care architecture across age groups.

Vuelift® from Canadian manufacturer Savaria® is putting the home elevator centre stage, enhancing not only domestic mobility but bringing the wow factor, too.

Using blockchain technology, Ruckstuhl’s Fellow project presents consumers with an NFT of their digital rug design to use as a production voucher, and to keep as a digital product diary. Watch the video to find out more…

Back from Milan with learned lessons, refreshed relationships and no lost luggage.

Physical trade fairs are getting smaller. But even with less square footage on show, can modern fairs still offer more? Peter Ippolito of Ippolito Fleitz gives his views on the future of the fair.

In a groundbreaking concept for bathroom design, Dornbracht creates an AI-inspired visual world, blending the manufacturer's MEM fittings with meditative architecture. Watch the video to find out more…

As trade fairs are forced to adapt to stay relevant in a fast-changing industry, Architonic invites leading German architect Peter Ippolito to share his thoughts on the meaning and and opportunities of the physical design exhibition. Watch the video

Designed by Swiss creative office atelier oï for contract-furniture specialists Brunner, "foild" is an ultra-nomadic, space-shaping device that turns its users into interior planners. Text by Simon Keane-Cowell

With Proline T, Solarlux has combined its range of facade and balcony glazing into a comprehensive system family – including improved sound insulation properties and wind resistance.

At Milan Design Week 2023, visitors to Brera can look forward to the fabulous ‘Invisible’ pop-up installation by switch manufacturer JUNG – including an immaterial souvenir.

Nine examples of contemporary designer kitchen taps that not only look the part but act it too, combining sleek design with hidden abilities and functionality.

This year, the Design Center Baden-Württemberg will once again award its prestigious design prize in several categories. Applications can be submitted until April 6, 2023.

With KEUCO AXESS, premium design agency Studio F. A. Porsche has designed a surprisingly stylish product series for the comfortable bathroom.

For EFFE, Rodolfo Dordoni has developed the Le Corbusier-inspired Cabanon sauna for outdoor use – combining Finnish style with technical know-how and a pinch of nostalgia...

The inaugural edition of Design Shenzhen wrapped up a couple of weeks ago, having happily hosted 40,000 visitors and over 250 brands in China's first city of design. Here we share a few of the highlights of the event…

Sustainable certifications allow brands to parade their green credentials like celebrity endorsements. More than just marketing tools, however, they help to distinguish fact from greenwashing fiction.

Last but not least, in the tenth and final part of our ISH news preview, we turn our attention to ROCA and present its latest achievement – the Hydro In-Tank WC that does not require a power supply...

In the ninth and penultimate part of our ISH preview of new products, follow us on a morning walk in the woods – with a bathroom collection by Kaschkasch for Villeroy & Boch.

‘By optimising acoustic environments, we can create spaces that foster positive emotions and experiences for everyone’ explains Pascal van Dort, Rockfon’s Global Acoustics Ambassador. Find out more here ...

The luminaires by VS MANUFAKTUR are aesthetic and technical masterpieces that make spaces shine and last a lifetime.

Wait, did you say smart water? LAUFEN Smart is the name of a new system for intelligent and networked water management in public sanitary rooms. Here we present a first impression of it, in part six of our ISH preview of new products.

Ever heard of an infinity bathtub? Bento in the bathroom, anyone? Designer Philippe Starck has created a fascinating bathroom series for Duravit derived from the Japanese snack box. Immerse yourself in part four of our ISH preview of new products!

Organic wellness sculpture: For the third part of our ISH new product preview, we climb into a bathtub designed by Diez Office for KALDEWEI that combines pure bathing pleasure with a compact shape and recyclable material use.

Effective water vortex: In the second part of our ISH innovation preview, we reveal how Geberit makes the WC more efficient in several respects.

To kick off our 10-part ISH preview of new products, we turn our attention to AXOR. In Frankfurt am Main, the design brand will present itself with its pronounced focus on individualisation and a washbasin and bathtub series by Philippe Starck.

With this year's motto 'Solutions for a sustainable future’, ISH, the World's Leading Trade Fair for HVAC and Water, signals the industry's determined departure towards a more sustainable future. Around 2,000 exhibitors from the sanitation, heating

The CGI agency Danthree Studio develops photo-realistic and high-quality 3D visualisation for brands, online shops and planning offices in the furniture, home and living industries – virtual spaces with 3D-modelled products and objects for the here

Munich-based lighting specialist HEAVN's products track sunlight over the course of the day, and so work in sync with natural human biorhythms.

For Axel Meise, light equals quality of life – the lighting systems from OCCHIO make people the lighting designers of their living spaces.

Together with circular economy pioneer Niaga, Object Carpet has developed the world's first endless circular carpet – the first step into a circular future...

After finding inspiration in the world of high-speed car racing, Cassina has created an outdoor chair that is durable while losing none of its original charm.

As the first product in Steelcase's portfolio with certified carbon neutrality, the Steelcase Series 1 with CarbonNeutral® product certification underscores the manufacturer's goal of reducing 50% of its own absolute emissions by 2023. 

Steelcase harnesses the purposeful questioning of design standards, experienced experts and global partnerships to create a clear vision of the workspaces of the future.

Steelcase is responding to the ever-changing workplace with a redesign of its popular Steelcase Flex collection of seating, tables, accessories and technology products.

With their new boards collection of modular elements for the contemporary workspace, the powerhouse manufacturer and dynamic design duo osko+deichmann have created an intuitive system that enlivens collaboration and increases creativity on the go.

With its new Metropole design, Silent Gliss reinterprets the tried and tested curtain pole as a highly flexible track with a patented, ultra-quiet running mechanism.

In the first installment of the Busch-Jaeger Intelligence Series – three consecutive features sponsored by the German specialist for electrical installation technology and building automation – architect Ursula Fuss speaks about an inclusive

In early December, the global winners of the International VELUX Award 2022 were announced, a competition for architecture students that celebrates the innovative and creative use of daylight in a broad range of different projects.

With its curved, handcrafted shapes inspired by Japanese culture, the Zencha bathroom collection by Sebastian Herkner soothes its users in a meditative way.

Trends 23/24 at January's Heimtextil in Frankfurt will focus on material cycles and sustainability strategies for textiles – and use the analogue fair platform to promote exchange, present new products and bring experts together.

OWActive mineral climate ceilings combine all the advantages of mineral ceiling systems from OWA with efficient room temperature control – and have won several awards for their democratic design and careful use of resources. Watch the video to

Far from single-use, Jacopo Foggini's A'mare collection for Edra redefines the value and moral use of plastic, celebrating its integrity, longevity and yes, even its beauty.

Carmelo Zappulla of External Reference brightens up Light + Building, explaining how light adds an emotional layer to environments: 'It animates a space.' Watch the video to learn more…

Andreas Schulz of Licht Kunst Licht highlights the use of both daylight and artificial light as resources, but also notes the difference: 'We love the change from day to night.' Watch the video here…

Axel Schmid's illuminating discussion at Light + Building defends our use of artificial light as a material: 'Light consumes energy, but you cannot live without it.' Watch the video for more…

Ulrike Brandi spotlights the role of lighting design at Light + Building, claiming we must 'reorganise our design processes to serve society.' Hear more of what she had to say here…

With a whole range of newly repurposed ECO products, the manufacturer is paving the way for a resource-saving everyday life – without compromising on design.

With Tecnografica's creative and graphical metal-finish wallpaper collection, both commercial and private spaces can stand out with featured interior surfaces that rock.

In the second installment of the Bette Intelligence Series – three consecutive features sponsored by the German bathroom specialist – UNC Charlotte Dean of Arts + Architecture Brook Muller speaks about the importance of incorporating water into

We don’t have to wait for future technology in the building industry to improve people’s lives while being regenerative for the planet.

At this year's Orgatec, Wagner presented new additions to its chair family that celebrate the end user as well as sustainable materials and the company's unique ergonomic technology.

Offering a vision of the future with changing needs and material availability, Dutch Design Week’s exhibiting designers present possible answers on how to create more, with less.

Achieving a feeling of space in its compact interior, the entrance area of Rosie – a laboratory for young space researchers in St. Gallen – was equipped with backlit architectural panels (clear-PEP®) from Design Composite.

Communicating both the naturally sustainable properties of ceramics and the material's inherent aesthetic value and high performance, Casalgrande Padana's collections speak out at Cersaie 2022.

At this year's Orgatec, Simon Keane-Cowell sits down with the Italian-British designer to discuss the state of office design and his latest Pedrali collaboration: a lightweight, versatile desk that makes space for our new workplace values and

Cosentino's high-tech Dekton Onirika surfaces are perfect for a broad range of applications and merge high functional performance with the warmth and charms of natural materials.

DuraSolid Nature is the name of the remarkable result of intensive material research at Duravit, from which the Sustano shower tray range is now the first to be made.

By focusing on highly customisable designs, local production and its unique understanding of the modern office environment, the Dutch manufacturer is able to offer clients tailored interiors that significantly increase workplace desirability.

The global ceramics specialist offers online tools and a collection of sleek designs to architects and designers looking to incorporate accessibility features into projects of all sizes.

With products like its new Path chair, global office ergonomics brand Humanscale is responding to the ecological, ergonomic and aesthetic demands of the flexible modern workplace.

Thanks to its extensive glass panels, the German glazing specialist’s slim profiled sliding door turns the inside into the outside – without compromising on design, functionality or safety.

You don't need to make a lot of noise to be heard. Rockfon's decorative Acoustic Design Range of aesthetically-focused designer acoustic products stands out, while blending in.

In our contemporary, wellness-enhanced environments, acoustic comfort is imperative. But Rockfon's biophilic range of acoustic products also listens to and caters for our other senses, too.

Stepping out of the shadows, acoustic design is now a crucial part of wellness-positive contemporary spaces. Rockfon's line of decorative sound-absorbing products lead the way by sight, not sound.

'Applying international and globally recognised certifications is not enough if there is no "self-certification",' argues the award-winning office's top team.

A recent case study in Leolux LX's homebase of Venlo shows how projects can incorporate durability as well as an elegant combination of function and comfort by choosing from the brand's catalogue.

By outfitting public-facing spaces with Leolux LX designs, hotels, restaurants, theatres and bars can greet visitors with sculptural, organic shapes that create an inviting environment in any context.

With its wide variety of durable and aesthetically diverse products, Leolux LX offers architects and designers a multitude of options for furnishing luxurious and sustainable spaces.

Known for a seamless combination of high-end ergonomics and timeless design, German office expert Sedus presents the latest addition to its arsenal of user-centric office chairs at this year's ORGATEC.

In hybrid workplaces, the LUCTRA Mesh lighting network provides direct or indirect light in smart groups, ensuring workplace comfort, while restricting energy use. Watch the video to learn more…

The energy crisis, energetic thinking on sustainability and the power of lighting design.

Cassina Pro adapts the brand's most well-known pieces to new environments – and complements them with contemporary designs.

Cassina Pro delivers one of the largest collections of iconic designs specified for public use: from lobbies, lounges and restaurants to waiting rooms and the workplace.

For the first time, the Italian manufacturer will showcase its collection for public spaces in person – filled with iconic mid-century designs and new pieces repurposed for the hospitality and workplace sector.

Optimised processes, digital experiences and human opportunities: at first glance, there's hardly a product that could seem more analogue than a traditionally manufactured chair, table or cabinet. And yet there is now a lot of data in the virtual

With its suite of modular luxury kitchen appliances and specified tools for architects and designers, the global brand eases planning processes through timeless aesthetics and a team of experts.

Young French toilet specialist Trone is aiming to bring the humble toilet bowl up to date, by giving it the same level of style and design considerations afforded to other bathroom fixtures.

The first installment of the raumplus Intelligence Series – three consecutive features sponsored by the German manufacturer –, has design expert Tansy Kaschak take a look at how individuals and hotels around the globe are tackling compact living

Behind schedule, the Hotel Astoria in De Haan, Belgium, turned to Unilin's quick-application, ecological and impact-resistant MDF Clicwall panels to get its stylish redevelopment back on track.

In an environment where energy is becoming ever more precious, Hager's product innovations make sure that none of it gets lost by optimising processes and thinking ahead.

From 2 to 6 October, Light + Building Autumn Edition will once again educate and empower the world’s design and construction industries with the latest insights into modern trends and technology.

OBJECT CARPET's latest RUGX collection fits made-to-measure creative freedom, freeing architects and designers from the confines of size, shape and colour in the flooring choices.

In the first installment of the Bette Intelligence Series – three consecutive features sponsored by the German bathroom specialist –, multidisciplinary journalist and sustainability expert Tansy Kaschak takes a look at the contemporary hotel

With its international competition, the Italian doorway specialist is seeking to support the architectural culture of entrance spaces by encouraging experimentation and promoting awareness.

This year, the top prizes at Eastman’s Vanceva® World of Color Awards™ go to buildings that may not share many formative qualities upon first glance, but are all alike in their distinguished use of vibrant structural elements.

What is the essence of a culture and how best to depict it? For their new textile collection, Hadi Teherani and Camilla D. Fischbacher looked for traces in their shared Persian homeland...

With five days of illuminating industry information from 2 to 6 October, Light + Building 2022 will enlighten visitors on the latest trends and innovations in smart city urban lighting systems.

At this year's Light + Building in Frankfurt from 2 to 6 October, Hager will present its energy solutions for built projects across all shapes, sizes and functions – helping industry professionals plan a more efficient future.

Light, wind-safe sunshades from manufacturer MHZ restrict both glare and heat-gain in the tallest glass-wrapped properties, while retaining their natural light and high-end view.

Understated sophistication is the name of the game for German luxury appliance manufacturer Gaggenau – that's as true for the company's streamlined, durable kitchen products as it is for their commitment to quality and sustainability.