Building materials

Transforming Drywall Guides into Avant-Garde Design Elements

The Drywall Collection represents a pioneering venture that challenges traditional perceptions of construction materials by elevating mundane metal drywall guides into sophisticated design objects. This initiative, spearheaded by Claudio Larcher and Sofia D'Andrea, reimagines these often-concealed industrial components, showcasing their inherent structural and aesthetic possibilities through a series of innovative furniture and sculptural pieces.

Unveiling the Hidden Beauty: Drywall Guides as Art

Reimagining Conventional Construction Materials as Core Design Elements

The Drywall Collection offers a fresh perspective on standard construction systems, transforming them into a suite of architectural objects. This innovative series encompasses seating, illumination fixtures, and artistic installations, all unified by principles of repetition, modularity, and material uniformity. By engaging with mass-produced components, the initiative explores how fundamental structural principles can dictate artistic form, thereby making traditionally hidden systems visually engaging and integral to the design.

The Artistic Vision of Claudio Larcher and Sofia D'Andrea

Conceived by the visionary duo Claudio Larcher and Sofia D'Andrea, the collection draws its essence from metal drywall guides—technical profiles typically embedded within walls and thus rendered invisible. These industrial elements are meticulously extracted from their usual roles and reshaped into pieces that exude a sleek, cohesive architectural aesthetic. The project posits these components not as auxiliary infrastructure, but as foundational design materials, highlighting their intrinsic formal and structural attributes.

Innovative Repurposing and Artistic Interpretation of Industrial Materials

Through careful modular arrangements and precise modifications to the cross-sections of the metal studs, achieved using sophisticated bending and cutting techniques, the common drywall profile is reimagined. These alterations enable the creation of diverse volumes, intricate surface details, and compelling three-dimensional forms. The strategic manipulations not only introduce reflective qualities but also imbue spatial depth, extending the utilitarian logic of the material into a realm of expressive design.

Advancing Sustainable Design Through Material Reevaluation

Claudio Larcher and Sofia D'Andrea's Drywall Collection also champions the inventive reuse and reinterpretation of industrial materials. It underscores the untapped aesthetic value of components often relegated to construction waste or hidden assembly. By preserving the original character of the material while drastically altering its spatial function, the project advocates for a novel understanding of material worth, rooted deeply in iterative processes, modularity, and a commitment to architectural clarity.

United Visual Artists Transforms Casa Batlló with "Hidden Order" Audiovisual Spectacle

United Visual Artists (UVA) has unveiled a groundbreaking audiovisual installation titled "Hidden Order" at Barcelona's iconic Casa Batlló. This monumental projection mapping, conceived by UVA founder Matt Clark, transforms the façade of Gaudí's architectural masterpiece into a dynamic canvas of light, motion, and sound, offered as a free public spectacle. Concurrently, an indoor exhibition, "Beyond the Facade," extends the project's conceptual framework into a newly inaugurated second-floor gallery space within Casa Batlló, bridging the exterior display with an intimate, reflective experience.

The "Hidden Order" projection mapping reimagines Casa Batlló's exterior through an intricate interplay of visual and auditory elements. Matt Clark's artistic vision interprets Gaudí's design as a living system, deeply rooted in geometric principles, natural laws, and a continuous state of flux. The title itself, "Hidden Order," pays homage to "L'ordre invisible" – the official slogan for Gaudí Year 2026 – emphasizing the idea that deeper structures and logical frameworks often underpin seemingly chaotic appearances. Clark's inspiration draws directly from Gaudí's philosophy, particularly the belief that "the straight line belongs to man, and the curve to God," highlighting a fascination with the unseen systems that sculpt our environment.

A crucial element intensifying this immersive experience is the live performance by choreographer and dance artist Fukiko Takase. Her movements are meticulously recorded using motion-capture technology, allowing her physical presence to become a generative force within the projection. Takase's body is multiplied and transformed into fluid visual structures that seem to organically emerge from the façade, establishing a profound feedback loop between the human form, the architectural structure, and the observing public. Her choreography was developed through direct engagement with Casa Batlló, responding to its unique curves, textures, and spatial rhythms, effectively treating the building as a collaborative partner in the artistic endeavor.

Complementing the visual spectacle, an original musical composition by Daniel J. Thibaut seamlessly weaves together image, movement, and architecture. Developed in close collaboration with Clark and Takase, Thibaut's score draws inspiration from geometric and natural patterns, evolving from subtle pulses to grand, expansive sequences. Sound is utilized not merely as an illustrative element, but as a structural component, allowing the façade to articulate its own auditory identity as light, motion, and audio synchronize over time, creating a holistic sensory experience.

The accompanying indoor exhibition, "Beyond the Facade," represents the official launch of Casa Batlló's contemporary art exhibition space. Conceived as an internal extension of "Hidden Order," this exhibition guides visitors on a thoughtful journey from natural light to simulated darkness, metaphorically tracing the rhythms of day and night, order and disorder. Through a curated collection of light studies, motion-based projections, and kinetic sculptures, the British artist deliberately slows the pace. Clark describes this indoor segment as "a more reflective counterpoint to the façade mapping," offering an opportunity for deeper contemplation of the underlying ideas and creative processes behind the entire project. A significant conceptual anchor for the exhibition is Ramon Llull, the 13th-century Majorcan philosopher whose diagrammatic systems aimed to unveil the world's hidden order through logic and geometry, thus linking Clark's contemporary practice to a long lineage of thinkers, including Gaudí, who perceived nature as an inherently intelligible system.

This initiative is part of Casa Batlló Contemporary, an ongoing institutional program dedicated to commissioning new artworks that engage with and expand upon Gaudí's enduring legacy. As Barcelona prepares to be the World Capital of Architecture in 2026, coinciding with the centenary of Gaudí's passing and officially designated Gaudí Year 2026, projects like "Hidden Order" and "Beyond the Facade" underscore the timeless relevance of Gaudí's work. As Gary Gautier, General Director of Casa Batlló, notes, "We see the mapping as a gift to the city – an open moment of encounter with a living World Heritage site." María Bernat, Director of Casa Batlló Contemporary, further emphasizes this, stating, "Gaudí's work is already alive. Casa Batlló Contemporary exists to create the conditions for that legacy to continue expanding through contemporary artists, for the world of today." This fifth edition of Casa Batlló's annual mapping series continues its tradition of transforming the façade through innovative digital and generative art, having previously captivated over 110,000 spectators in 2025 alone. While UVA has created numerous permanent public artworks globally, "Hidden Order" marks their inaugural venture into projection mapping, solidifying Casa Batlló's role as a vibrant hub for artistic innovation and a guardian of Gaudí's living heritage.

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Lammhults Design Group Debuts Innovative Stockholm Showroom by Note Design Studio

Lammhults Design Group has unveiled its innovative new showroom in central Stockholm, meticulously designed by Note Design Studio. This space, introduced during Stockholm Design Days 2026, fundamentally transforms the conventional showroom model. Rather than a mere display area, it functions as a dynamic, shared environment where the interplay of furniture, acoustic elements, illumination, and material selections profoundly influences the perception and occupation of modern work settings. Cristiano Pigazzini, co-founder of Note Design Studio, extends his expertise beyond the architectural design to serve as the creative advisor for the entire Lammhults Design Group, ensuring that the showroom embodies a forward-thinking yet historically informed spatial language. His approach involves a deep dive into each brand's heritage, meticulously examining the evolution of materials, construction techniques, and design philosophies to forge a vision that is both contemporary and rooted in the group's rich past. This strategic move aims to foster a more engaging and interactive experience for visitors, allowing them to truly inhabit and understand the design ethos.

The establishment of this new hub on Norrlandsgatan 20 marks a significant evolution for Lammhults Design Group, positioning it as a vibrant center for dialogue, collaboration, and inspiration. The design challenges traditional boundaries, creating a fluid transition between the urban landscape and the internal world of Scandinavian design. Large street-facing windows offer glimpses into inviting interiors featuring soft seating, tactile acoustic textiles, and a palette of warm, harmonious tones, subtly encouraging passersby to slow down and engage. Inside, carefully orchestrated sightlines, diffused natural light, and nuanced variations in floor elevation guide visitors through a series of interconnected spaces. These areas are crafted to evoke the comfort and functionality of actual workspaces and lived-in environments, moving far beyond the static displays typically found in exhibition halls. This intentional design fosters an atmosphere where products are encountered within meaningful contexts, prompting interaction and contemplation rather than passive observation.

A Transformed Experience: The Stockholm Showroom Reimagined

Lammhults Design Group has opened an innovative showroom in the heart of Stockholm, a project realized in collaboration with Note Design Studio. This new space, showcased during Stockholm Design Days 2026, represents a departure from traditional display-focused showrooms. Instead, it offers an integrated environment where the careful selection of furniture, acoustic treatments, lighting, and materials collaboratively shape the user's perception and engagement with contemporary workspace solutions. Cristiano Pigazzini, a co-founder of Note Design Studio, plays a pivotal role as creative advisor for the entire group, guiding the overarching creative direction. His methodology begins with an in-depth exploration of each brand's historical archives, analyzing how construction methods, material choices, and design philosophies have evolved. This historical understanding is then leveraged to inform a progressive spatial language that anticipates future trends while honoring past innovations, ultimately creating a cohesive and forward-looking design narrative for the showroom.

The ground-level location of the showroom on Norrlandsgatan 20 seamlessly connects the bustling city life with the carefully curated internal world of the Lammhults Design Group. Expansive windows blur the lines between inside and out, showcasing inviting soft seating, rich acoustic fabrics, and a palette of warm, earthy tones that subtly encourage a moment of pause from the urban pace. Within, visitors are drawn through a progression of rooms by extended sightlines, gentle daylight, and subtle changes in floor elevation. These spaces are intentionally designed to resemble dynamic workspaces and comfortable residential interiors, offering a more immersive and relatable experience than conventional exhibition setups. Pigazzini emphasizes the showroom's role as a vital meeting point, fostering interaction and dialogue. The arrangement of furniture within contextual settings encourages conversation and contemplation, shifting the focus from individual items to the synergistic relationships between them. This approach allows diverse design philosophies from Lammhults, Abstracta, Fora Form, and Ragnars to coexist harmoniously within a unified spatial rhythm, highlighting the group's 'Multiplied' strategy and its commitment to comprehensive, holistic design solutions.

Fostering Connection and Dialogue through Contextual Design

The new Lammhults Design Group showroom in Stockholm, envisioned by Note Design Studio, represents a strategic evolution in how design is presented and experienced. This space goes beyond merely exhibiting products; it creates a holistic environment that mirrors actual living and working situations. The design, spearheaded by Note Design Studio’s Cristiano Pigazzini, is deeply rooted in the rich heritage of each brand within the Lammhults Design Group, utilizing past innovations to inform a contemporary and forward-looking aesthetic. This integrated approach allows visitors to experience the full breadth of the group's offerings – including products from Lammhults, Abstracta, Fora Form, and Ragnars – within inspiring and contextual settings. The showroom is conceived as a dynamic hub for fostering customer dialogue, enabling creative collaborations, and offering boundless inspiration, thereby strengthening the symbiotic relationship between design, business objectives, and evolving customer needs. It serves as a physical manifestation of the group's new strategic direction, emphasizing interconnectedness and a deeper engagement with design.

Strategically situated on Norrlandsgatan, the showroom acts as a crucial link between the vibrant urban environment and the group's interior design world. Its street-level presence, marked by large windows, invites engagement with a curated display of soft furnishings, sound-absorbing textiles, and a comforting tonal scheme that instills a sense of calm. Inside, the meticulously designed layout uses long visual axes, carefully modulated daylight, and subtle shifts in floor height to guide movement through a series of distinct yet flowing rooms. This progression offers an experience akin to navigating authentic workspaces or residential interiors, diverging significantly from a standard exhibition format. Pigazzini views the showroom's location as central to its function, highlighting Lammhults Design Group's role as a leading Scandinavian design entity that aims to connect more intimately with product users. The thoughtful arrangement of furniture in 'situations' rather than isolated displays encourages conversation and moments of reflection. This emphasis on relational design ensures that various design approaches can coexist harmoniously, creating a cohesive spatial rhythm that underpins the group's renewed vision and commitment to Scandinavian values of work, life, and community. The interior is deliberately crafted for repeated exploration, allowing its atmosphere to subtly transform with different uses, times of day, and the presence of diverse individuals, thus making every visit a unique and engaging experience.

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