IN 5 DAYS MORE THAN 50.000 VISITORS CAME TO THE
50-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF BIENNALE INTERIEUR
Since 1968, the Biënnale Interieur is well-known for bringing together talent and established brands.
In those days, they chose a more creative way of presenting interior design, where other fairs
only mixed old with new and kitsch with modern design. Now, 50 years later,
obviously combining cultural and commercial elements is a successful formula.
The Biënnale Interieur became a ‘must visit’ and ‘the place to be’
when it concerns innovation and creativity.
Major adjustments
Clearly, this 50-years anniversary was the perfect occasion to institute some major changes. First of all, they reduced the duration of this fair from 10 to 5 days. Secondly, they gave the Biënnale Interieur more relevancy when it comes to living, working and relaxing, by applying a strict selection procedure for companies and talents. And they changed the floor plan. Claudio Saccucci and Roxane van Hoof of Studio Verter were inspired by typical city characteristics, like the Parisian boulevards, the Manhattan house blocks and the Italian squares. They translated that into transparant, unique and sparkling spaces.
Past successes preserved
Next to some novelties, a few past successes were preserved. For instance, the simple but striking logo, which at some time was designed by artist Boudewijn Delaere, is still being used. And fortunately, there were the guests of honor, such as Giovanna Castiglioni who, together with Flos, narrated the story of the iconic legacy of her father Achille.
And last, but not least, the site locations concept remains an important feature of the Biënnale Interieur. During this 50-year anniversary a deserted hospital was wrapped by a young generation of designers, cultural partners and leading designers.
VITA DI LUSSO’s highlights
Of course, VITA DI LUSSO also visited this 50-year anniversary edition. I started with an early VIP-breakfast session on one of the site locations, where I attended various presentations of some Belgian companies. After that, I parked my car near the Xpo, where I ran to the press preview. There I witnessed designer Frederik Delbert being awarded with the title ‘Designer of the Year’. Thereafter, I visited Laufen, who, as it seemed, gave their very own interpretation to the Roman fountains, by displaying 10 sprinkling toilets vis-à-vis.
Furtheron, I walked along the lighting square, where a large number of beautiful lamps were shining like never before. And in the ‘space ship’ of ORAC I thought I was Prinses Leia of Star Wars herself. Also, I entered the stand of Detremmerie, who got visitors curious with their eye-catching new bathroom designs.
I closed my tour with a hello to my Italian friends of cc-tapis, where I also ran into Dutch designer Mae Engelgeer, who showed me her ‘Ultimate Bliss’.
I think I could have walked there for days, but at the end of an inspiring day it was actually time to go back to Holland. See you again in 2020!
