Interior dialogues at imm cologne 2023

‘One should not want to foresee the future, but rather make it possible,’ said Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, the celebrated author of 'The Little Prince' who also studied architecture for a time. And it's with a similar idea in mind that the imm cologne – one of the world's largest interior trade fairs – returns in 2023. The fair will not be looking to simply present innovations and trends, but rather also to drive change and initiate new ideas that will help to shape the future.

The imm cologne has used the two-year break – when the pandemic prevented attendance at events – to position itself in a more modern and forward-looking way in 2023. To this end, the fair is undergoing conceptual and spatial changes, in order to generate a new kind of trade-fair feeling under the motto 'Up next: business'.

‘We, as a trade fair company, are increasingly transforming ourselves from content mover to thought leader,’ explains Matthias Pollmann, head of trade fair management at Koelnmesse. ‘We are positioning ourselves as pioneers within the industry,’ he continues, emphasising that companies do not want to be left alone with the complex challenges facing society as a whole.

Topics such as sustainability and climate protection have a strong influence on our daily lives and thus also, of course, on our living spaces. The imm cologne will stimulate discourse in this direction. ‘From our point of view, it will be crucial for companies to balance their economic success with social responsibility,’ explains Pollmann. Of course, the fair will continue to promote business, but also important discussions, networking and the search for innovative solutions to future issues.

In order to make this development of the trade fair concept visible, the imm cologne is changing its structure and hall layout. Pure Atmospheres, for example, is leaving its regular place in Hall 11 to create new points of attraction in Hall 1 – which was only completed during the pandemic – and other neighbouring areas. Hall 11 at the South Entrance will now be available to the generously designed Home Scenes theme world as a lifestyle-oriented product segment.

This gives these two focal points of the fair both space to develop as well as more attention: Pure in the west and Home in the east of the exhibition centre. The new hall layout also ensures a greater mix of different stand sizes and formats, offering visitors more diversity and a higher quality of experience. Wherever visitors find themselves, variety is the order of the day.

In the future, Pure will be more broadly positioned in the various different areas. Pure Atmospheres offers the avant-garde of the international design scene the opportunity to present holistic, state-of-the-art concepts, while premium exhibitors can stage their new designs as spatially unique, lifestyle experiences.

The Pure Editions area is where manufacturers are afforded space to communicate new trends. Innovative and visionary designs, unusual materials and inspiring collections find a home here: a creative playground for conceptual presentations where the open architecture allows for originality and freedom.

With Pure Galleries, exhibitors have access to smaller spaces where designs and products can be arranged and displayed in a more intimate way – similar to an art fair or small gallery. This allows strong design statements to be made and brand identities brought more directly to the point. This format is also suitable for younger companies, allowing them to create minimalist, personalised brand spaces.

Another newcomer in 2023 will be SPOTS, which invites constructive discussion on a selection of future-oriented issues. Themes including textiles, light, art and smart living will be presented and debated here. These circular spaces will also be used for networking and enjoying a coffee, as well as for the Pure Talents Contest for up-and-coming designers – celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.

All in all, the imm cologne's reorientation still continues to meet the increased demand for inspiration and exchange. But whereas 'Das Haus', for example, used to attract visitors as a single highlight event, new developments and relevant themes are now brought to life at different locations and using a greater variety of formats.

‘Of course, the focus will still be on the exhibitors' product presentations, giving visitors a comprehensive picture of the furnishings sector and offering them the opportunity to discover new solutions,’ clarifies creative director Dick Spierenburg, who helped drive the imm cologne's reboot: ‘From my point of view, however, such traditional modes of presentation are passé.’

For Spierenburg, today, it's all about exploring and illuminating the different fields of living and interiors from a variety of perspectives. That's why the imm cologne serves as a multifaceted platform to bring exhibitors and visitors into intensive dialogue away from the exhibition halls. And in future, a combination of both face-to-face events as well as digital tools will allow the community to exchange ideas throughout the year.

For the full new experience, however, it's not only the Pure space that will be getting a makeover, the Home area will also be expanded as an industry business platform in order to provide answers around topics such as digitalisation and logistics, among others. In short, the imm cologne is ready to take on the future, and the industry is too. Matthias Pollmann's forecast is correspondingly confident: ‘The 2023 fair promises to be a festival of reunions, new encounters and new beginnings.’

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