Explore the extraordinary at the 100% Design South Africa pavilion at Decorex Cape Town 2019, 1-5 may
Expect no run-of-the-mill fare at this year’s 100% Design South Africa pavilion at Decorex Cape Town, running from 1-5 May 2019 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) and organised by the globe’s leading exhibitions company, Reed Exhibitions. Aptly entitled 100% Extraordinary, this display of ultra-unusual designer products and pieces is a collaboration between Platform, the curators of 100% Design South Africa and a selection of leading local brands, in an effort to push design beyond the bounds of the ordinary.
Under the theme Botanical Office, 100% Extraordinary explores the concept of an office space that offers an antidote to the norm. ‘The botanical theme is a no-brainer for me,’ says Creative Director of 100% Design South Africa, Cathy O’Clery, ‘I feel people have a huge desire to connect with nature these days and I see no reason why this can’t come into a workplace. Cape Town is a beautiful city surrounded by the most extraordinary nature – there is no reason not to bring that into a space where we spend the majority of our time.’
Office spaces today need to be practical and hardwearing without being hard-lined or sterile. In line with this thinking, the Botanical Office theme showcases brands that bring a human-centric element to design.
100% Extraordinary’s participating design businesses include the fairest of the Cape, such as contemporary furniture designers Kino (kino.co.za), textile designer David Bellamy (museumofmakingandtomorrow.com), ceramic artists Louise Gelderblom (louisegelderblom.com) and Mervyn Gers (mervyngers.com), and lighting design specialists Hoi P’loy (hoiploy.com) – all champions of the local and the sublimely handmade. Office design expert Entrawood (entrawood.co.za) will bring fresh perspective too, with its innovative and intentional approach, while carpeting aficionados Monn will wow with cutting-edge carpeting that takes the idea of office flooring to a new level. In addition, award-winning Gauteng-based outfit Houtlander (houtlander.co.za) brings its lovingly crafted wooden furniture pieces to Cape Town for the event.
All the products chosen for display were selected in consultation with O’Clery, who also provides the creative direction for the stand appearance. She explains: ‘In keeping with the intention of this year’s pavilion, I have chosen products and pieces from designers whose work already stands out. Ordinarily, their designs are gloriously idiosyncratic and unmistakably their own, but for 100% Extraordinary they have progressed this even further, into exciting, fresh territory. Starting with a great office furniture company in the form of Entrawood, we have complemented its signature lightweight contemporary style with work by artisans like David Bellamy and Louise Gelderblom, who are inspired by our natural world and whose designs would not typically be seen in an office environment. David is creating hand-blocked textiles on upcycled vintage chairs and Louise is creating sculptural vessels. We have also asked Mervyn Gers to create some striking tabletop ceramics that will be a poetic antidote to the ubiquitous office mug.’
Says Sandra Jardim, General Manager of 100% Design South Africa at Reed Exhibitions: ‘We are thrilled to see that 100% Design South Africa continues to stimulate the local design industry by attracting and promoting the country’s leading designers to a dedicated trade audience. We’re certain that our interior design trade guests – not to mention members of the public – will find 100% Extraordinary and its humanising direction for workspaces simply out of this world!’
Decorex Cape Town takes place from 1 to 5 May at the Cape Town Internatinal Convention Centre. Visit reedexpoafrica.co.za.
