Village life in the Greenhouse

The Stockholm Furniture Fair, which takes place from 6 - 10 February, is enjoying ever greater popularity with both manufacturers and designers. This is primarily because the fair has set itself the target of making Stockholm a major platform for creative new ideas. The interest in Greenhouse, the exhibition area for independent designers and colleges of design, is growing from year to year. This year over 80 designers applied, from whom the jury has selected 32 participants. In addition 20 international colleges of design will present their work. Greenhouse has now become to the Stockholm Furniture Fair what Satellite is for the Salone del Mobile in Milan. Many of today's successful Scandinavian designers made their breakthrough in Greenhouse, where they were able to present their talent to a wide specialist public from the furniture industry. Since 2003 Greenhouse has given many designers the opportunity to experience the adoption of their designs for production. Names such as 'Norway says', 'Front' or 'Form us with Love' have now become known internationally.

The theme of Greenhouse 2008 is "Village Life". For the second time the exhibition will be designed by the Swedish architecture and design studio of TAF Architects. Gabriella Gustafson and Mattias Stålbom have been inspired by the character of the classical village and have implemented this idea in a kind of outsize model. Those entering the hall are intended to receive the impression that they are walking into a giant architect's model or stage set. The exhibition areas are formed by stylised paths, squares and model houses made of paper. The Greenhouse village can be regarded as a miniature infrastructure which enables exhibitors and visitors to meet, get to know each other and exchange ideas.