Aside from the exhibition concept and their knack for choosing the perfect location, there's another reason we always look forward to Design braucht Täter.
Every year we find something new.
And 2012 is no exception. Even though we admittedly snuck in while they were still setting up and so didn't actually get to see all exhibitors.
We know it not good form. Sorry. But we have a huge schedule here. And simply had to. And of course: We can. Cheeky buggers that we are.
Schreibtisch für Zwei by Handwert Möbeldesign is a desk designed for two users. A desk designed for two users with a drawer per user. A drawer. Honestly that is all it takes and you've got us. A desk with a drawer. Or even better multiple drawers.
A desk specifically designed for two users of course makes perfect sense. In modern offices most people work with space saving "island" concepts, with cables and the like coming up between the desks. This is especially the case in "Start-ups", or backward thinking village administraions in Brandenburg, where two people often share a space that would be considered unfit for an egg laying chicken under EU legislation.
And so why not assume two users per workspace from the beginning. Obvious really. Beautifully crafted from oak, in addition to the drawers "Schriebtisch für Zwei" also has a gap in the middle, not only for cables, but also for supporting the integrated plastic pen holders. Our tip - increase the range of things one can add to the gap and you've got a real winner. Flower pot, speakers, phone charger, cable organiser, tablet holder, lamps etc...
Bench2bed by Dortmund based Thomas Bohm didn't catch our attention ahead of the show. But did in the show. In essence its a bench that converts into a bed. So a variation on the sofa bed. We really, really liked it. But do we need such? A bench that converts to a bed. We're still not 100% convinced. Or were we just irritated by the the steel/wood optic that made it resemble garden furniture? But we love the lateral thinking behind the project. And even if Bench2bed isn't Thomas's major commercial breakthrough, it certainly demonstrates a designer with the correct attitude and a healthy disregard for convention.
Another project that didn't really grab us in the pre-exhibition warm up was Moveo by Cologne based producer Reditum.
Now you know us, when it comes to recycled furniture we're very hard to please. We're probably the only people you know who class Piet Hein Eek's wooden chairs and tables as graphic design rather than furniture design.
But Moveo passed our test.
Composed of bits of old pallets, old bike inner tubes and pieces of metal, Moveo is/are a series of boxes that can either be stacked into a unit or hung as shelving.
We suspect we have granted Moveo our mercy because like "homage au velo" by Sebastian Donath, it doesn't focus on its recycled nature "Look at me! Look a me! I'm, recycled. I'm cool"; rather, it concentrates on being a good, well made, functional product.
That and the fact it reminded us of the wooden crates by Le Corbusier that Cassina relaunched at IMM 2011. Guess which one we understand as being the more responsible use of available resources in an age of environmental and social instability...
An honorary mention must also go to Solo, a shelving system by Stefan Weiser - a shelving system that folds flat for storage/transport. Or folds out to form a room divider. We're not sure if having textile on the outside is the best option, again that may just be our misguided subjective opinion, but the concept is certainly something that for us is worth developing further. We can see a lot of potential. And not just in domestic situations.
And of course, yes Becherlicht was there. And still making us go queasy with delight.
If your in Cologne for IMM we can thoroughly recommend making the trip out to Design braucht Täter. Especially on the evening of Wednesday January 19th when they are hosting the belated Vernissage Party from 6pm - 11pm
And if you see something good that we haven't mentioned. Do let us know.
Design braucht Täter 2012 runs in the Hochbunker Körnerstr. 101 50825 Köln until Sunday January 22nd
