Ippolito Fleitz Group – Identity Architects

The ORGATEC 2016 trade fair in Cologne invited us to design a special exhibition presence for the fair, entitled ‘RE/WORK – Moments of Inspiration’. It was realised with input from selected partners, all leading specialists in their field. Across an area of almost 500 square metres, we explored the question: what role does the classic office play in our rapidly changing work world?

While the fair exhibitors presented finished products and concepts, our role at the ORGATEC was that of interrogator. “Does the office still make sense?” was the underlying question and starting point for our concept. We answered this question with a resounding YES. Space provides a tangible counterbalance to the digital technologies that increasingly have come to dominate our working life. It is and remains a carrier of identity, the means by which you identify with your employer and your own work.

For RE/WORK we designed eleven places, situations and communication scenarios. The exhibition presence was developed in close cooperation with our technical partner zgoll: Konferenzraum.

We extend an invitation to reflect through ironic statements and questions that are printed in large letters on the wall panels of the façades. “No Ping. No Pong.” The claims were developed in cooperation with FRAME Magazine; the frame systems came from Octanorm. The individual scenarios across the stand are zoned using different floor materials. The carpets we used came from Object Carpet, the synthetic fabric was from 2tec2 and the exhibition floor system was from Expomobil.