Häfele visit 100% design
What is 100% Design?
100% Design is the annual, up-to-the-minute interiors, design and architectural fair which spotlights both new and established names. On the 21st-24th September, 100% Design returned to its new home in Olympia for its 27th year. One of the most established events in the architecture and interior design calendar, the event falls during London Design Week - welcoming designers, innovators and forward-thinkers from around the country to come and meet industry leaders and keep their finger on the pulse.
With over 400 leading brands competing for the time of the most elite designers in the industry, the floorplan was split into five sections: Interiors, Workplace, Kitchens, Bedrooms & Bathrooms, Design & Build and Emerging Brands.
What were the biggest trends in technology?
Smart technology was more prominent than ever – with technology taking centre stage within the Design & Build environment. Suppliers like GIRA and Basalte focused on Home Automation, as entry systems and smart networking allowed users to be completely in-touch with their homes. GIRA’s stand displayed their new eNet radio system, which uses smart technology to integrate into buildings, even retrospectively, to network via a smartphone or tablet. This functionality allows the user to control functions such as lighting, blinds and heating without having to lay new cables – 100% wireless!
One of the most exciting products showcased was the 106 System, from GIRA. This sleek and minimalist modular door communication system makes keeping any home or workplace secure, simple. The 106 system is based on a clear grid and includes seven possible modules – ensuring you can tailor the solution to any application. Clean, sophisticated and robust, this is the cutting-edge technology that offers an innovative and sophisticate solution for security.
Another key trend was the rise of Augmented Reality – as it becomes more and more commonplace within the Design & Build Industry. This technology will allow developers to provide a client with a ‘walk-through’ service, without a physical building being in place – something that will provide a much-needed service level within high-end new build residential. It will be interesting to see how this technology develops into other industries, as it becomes more mainstream - especially within kitchen design and furniture manufacturing.
In-built technology was also a key feature at the show, with multi-functional furniture and accessories seeking to improve user experience and offer top-of-the-line functionality. Mirrors with in-built televisions, smart glass that responds to speech and chairs with in-built entertainment systems were all popular products, attracting crowds of passers-by.
What were the biggest trends in design?
Another trend that was particularly prominent was the pairing of warm brass and rose metals with dark, matte walls – similar to Farrow and Ball’s Downpipe, or Dulux’s Bowler Hat. This trend has been prominent within kitchen and bedroom design since the beginning of the year – but with external paint and workplaces joining the trend, this is set to grow in popularity.
Lighting also offered noteworthy innovation – with statement lighting, in-built lighting, and Smart lighting all making an appearance. The range of lighting solutions offered shows the huge industry demand for customisable solutions that look great.
A concurrent theme between many of the popular lighting stands was the focus on British manufacturing – with many suppliers underlining their UK based manufacturing process as a key benefit of specifying their product. Ceramics, leather-craft and British manufactured glass all had prominence across various stands - attracting delegates from all industries.
