One of the remarkable consequences of the globalisation of culture and markets is that it is provoking the emergence of national and regional identities. Never before have Parisians asserted their provincial roots to such an extent, even if these already go back several generations. The Festival of Celtic Art in Lorient is the largest summer festival in France and brings together more than 10 participating countries. Some 250,000 French children are learning regional languages. Asterix will be translated into Picard dialect this year, as well as Corsican, Occitan, Breton and Basque. This reflex can without a doubt be understood as a desire to resist any form of imperialism of ideas and business, a means of preserving pluralism and thereby the freedom to think and choose. Isn’t it diversity and competition that help to boost a market? If we look at in terms of different mentalities, contemporary design is better accepted in the Nordic, Scandinavian and Germanic countries than in southern Europe, whose historic heritage hinders development in this area more than any other. On the American continent, the difference between these two movements can be attributed to a search for historicity in the United States by families with European origins and to exactly the opposite somewhere like Brazil, a country with no history whose leaders make no secret of their modernity by buying contemporary furniture and objects so as to underline their social success. The interest shown by Russian and Chinese “nouveaux riches” in the classic French style of the 18th century is certainly due to the French aristocratic myth and can be explained as an attempt to reconcile themselves with their past culture and glories.

Gérard Laizé,
Managing Director of the VIA

Milan Furniture Fair, 18th-23rd April
www.cosmit.it
Design Mai – Berlin
www.designmai.de
SIDIM Montreal, 24th-26th May
www.sidim.com

When we try to sum up the various professional shows and important meeting-places for international design in the first half of 2007, we have to admit that the standing of French designers on the international scene is not only healthy, but they have also reaped recognition for the diversity of their creative choices.  This gives us reason for cheer about the training provided in France and the variety of the movements within design into which professional designers are able to tap.

Based on what we have observed at the main international shows, we can see that the various movements in contemporary design depend on the personality of each designer as well as on the mixes of cultures that occur more and more frequently, given the mobility of those involved in design and their aim for their work to speak to everyone.

After more than 14 years working as designers in Paris, Birgitta Ralston (Swedish/American) and Alexandre Bau (French) came to Norway for a 6 month’s artists’ residency in 2003. “I didn’t want it to stop” said Birgitta, looking at the amazing fjord landscape. During their stay, they decided to build their dreams in the village of Dale i Sunnfjord: a place where creative people could come, experiment and make ideas grow. Four years of hard work later, Transplant is built, a unique piece of architecture in an untouched landscape.

Ductal is the result of a project that has brought together three large-scale international companies.  The R&D departments of Bouygues, Lafarge and Rhodia worked with each other to develop a concrete that is micro-reinforced with metal fibres and displays exceptional mechanical properties: 6 to 8 times the compressive strength of normal concrete, deflection strength before breaking.  Its resistance to external attack (scratching, pollution, bad weather) means it is remarkably longlasting, opening up new possibilities for use in architecture.  Moreover, as it has a very low shrinkage coeeficient during drying, textures and patterns can be applied as it retains the slightest surface detail.
www.ductal.com

Saint Gobain has a clear strategy towards developing innovative materials with a strong technological character.  Represented in 40 countries,  Saint Gobain Glass has developed a full range of functional glass.  The self-cleaning Bioclean glass harnesses the powers of both sun and rain to help keep windows clean.  The sun’s UV rays break down the dirt and grime on the surface of the glass (photocatalysing) and rainwater then elminates them.  As buildings have ever larger areas of glass to make the most of natural light (some of which are often difficult to access), Bioclean glass is very well-adapted to the latest considerations in architecture.  Saint Gobain has also demonstrated a great ability to predict its clients demands and to solve the technical challenges.  One of these is sustainable development: Bioclean reduces the need for detergents.
www.saint-gobain-glass.com
www.verreautonettoyant.fr

For over 60 years and as only one of its many activities, the multinational company 3M has been a major manufacturer of adhesive films and inks for the commercial, architecture and advertising graphics markets that can be applied to any type of surface.  3M has developed films to satisfy its clients demands in terms of the visual result they give, their ease of use and their quality when applied, whatever the surface, while always preserving the interior of the covered space.  3M’s products range from the simple one-way film, which leaves no adhesive residue on the surface when peeled off, to the Comply film which has a network of micro-channels inside the glue, allowing the air to escape and guaranteeing quick, high-quality application.  3M also produces interior and exterior floor covering films which wear well and are non-slip.  As for the Scotchcal films, the fact that they can be thermomoulded and offer a wide range of possible light effects makes them an essential tool for visual graphics designers.  Further films protect surfaces from scratching and graffiti…
 www.3m.com

Recticel is the leader on most of its markets and present in 26 different countries.  Although it is Recticel’s commercial bedding brands that are best-known to the general public (Epéda, Bultex…), its “Soft PU Foam” department has benefitted greatly from the company’s policy of innovation.  The company has developed its own R&D centre and is capable of creating or adapting its products as it looks to diversify its activities.  Thus its Bulpren open-celled PU foam, generally used as a filter, has been modified to give it sufficient resilience for use in the furniture sector (Dry Feel foam).
www.recticel.com

Durat is a polyester-based solid surface material designed and produced in Finland. It is used mainly in bathrooms and kitchens, both as custom-made surfaces and as a finished product from their own design collection. It is an environmentally-friendly alternative to other solid-surface solutions on the market, as it contains recycled plastics. The product itself is also 100% recyclable.
Durat is mainly moulded into sheets or plates that it is possible to glue together using a glue consisting of Durat that makes the pieces weld together into one continuous surface. Such coherent, seamless surfaces can be extended to tens of metres in length with various forms of edge design and patterns. The glue can also be used to perfectly mend a scratched surface or any other form of damage. Durat is otherwise easily processed with common woodworking tools. The method of production was developed in the early 90s. The exact details of this process are an industrial secret, as is the content of the base material.
The potential of the material was fully exploited through close collaboration between the designers and the producers. For information, signs in the Jostedalsbreen National Park colours were tailor-made to suit the project. The designers are Ralston & Bau from Norway, who put Durat to the test in their production process by using their material in a new field. The experience was successful.

Interview with Ulla Tuominen, Durat Product Development Manager :

“To have a product from Finland is a good thing for us: the perceived quality of Nordic products is good. As for Durat as a company, its recyclability and colours are our main strengths. We are not yet very present in some European countries, as France or Italy, but interest is growing. Durat sell a lot to the Netherlands, the UK, the USA... and we get orders from all over the world. I think Scandinavian countries share the same mentality about sustainability and ethical products, so it is an easier market for us. As a finishing company, Durat targets high-quality projects; designers and architects know that if they use Durat for a hotel chain, it will still be in a nice and stable shape in ten years’ time. The clients save money; it is an investment. Hopefully now more and more people think long-term. For around 25% of the initial cost, we can maintain Durat products on-site and they will be in perfect condition for another ten years. Nordic Innovatheque is a strong partner because through their database we can inform interested people about our innovative material.”
www.durat.com
www.noin.nu
www.ralstonbau.com