Friday, October 18, 2019
ZOW 2020 explores megatrends for age-appropriate living and working in tiny and shared spaces in a curated special show. Urbanisation and gentrification are processes that have an immediate impact on social structures, communal living and, not least, domestic life. At ZOW 2020 – the leading supplier fair for the furniture and interior design industry – designer and trend scout Katrin de Louw will be presenting three layouts in a special exhibition area intended to provide lasting inspiration for increasingly sought-after tiny and shared spaces.
For a variety of reasons, the current trend favours living and working without taking up more room than necessary, which has now resulted in some very interesting and sophisticated solutions for modern life in strictly limited spaces designed on the basis of age and function. In contrast to Asia, this emerging global trend is only just getting started in Europe, but important trade fairs like ZOW are already providing key inspiration for new developments. Trade fair organiser Koelnmesse has therefore asked trend scout Katrin de Louw and her Trendfilter team to return to Bad Salzuflen for the upcoming event and work with innovative exhibitors to develop a range of different concepts for the intelligent organisation of our home and working lives of tomorrow and beyond.
In a dedicated special event area, young and old, employed people and retirees find common ground in the project. Their interests coincide, and the self-contained use of individual areas gives the imagined residents the breathing space they need. Lennart, a 30-year-old commuter, and widow Elisabeth, a pensioner and apartment owner, have each found an affordable home within a small footprint, maintain social contact and enjoy the advantages of life in an urban location. Along with other residents, Lennart and Elisabeth share indoor and outdoor “co-joining spaces” for relaxation, work, cooking and dining.
The 15 sqm apartment rented by Lennart is characterised by its built-in furniture, which is designed to make the best use of the available space. The upholstered furniture and cabinets blend into the space just as much as the kitchen and work area do. Different lighting compositions change the room in line with requirements and mood. IT has been integrated into the small apartment with a focus on multifunctionality, because Lennart commutes between home, on the one hand, and his office job in the city on the other. In terms of property ownership, he doesn’t want to be tied down – mobility is just as important to him as sustainability.
Elisabeth’s home in the countryside simply became too big for her after the death of her husband. She felt increasingly lonely, as her children had long since moved out. Now the 74-year-old has decided to buy an 18 sqm city apartment next door to Lennart. Age-appropriate, accessible living is her top priority in her new home where she enjoys all the available comforts. With the support of assistance systems in the background, she is also finally able to make new friends in the “co-joining” and “co-cooking” area.
Tags: Koelnmesse, tinyspaces, woodworking fair, woodworking trends, ZOW 2020
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