Hannover. The Swiss designer Alfredo Häberli, one of the design stars of his generation, will be a special guest at DOMOTEX 2017. Häberli, whose work has gained him various international design awards, will be appearing at DOMOTEX, the world’s leading trade fair for carpets and floor coverings, in Hannover, Germany, on 14 January 2017. He is one of many internationally acclaimed designers, architects and interior designers scheduled to deliver keynote speeches and discuss trends and developments relevant to the flooring sector.

Working from his studio in Zurich, Argentine-born Häberli creates furniture, lighting and home accessories for a large clientele that includes companies such as Alias, Camper, Georg Jensen, Kvadrat, Iittala, Moroso, Ruckstuhl, Vitra, BMW, Fürstenberg and Parador. His products are characteristically minimalist and demonstrate a responsible, sensitive use of materials and an intuitive understanding of contemporary form and function.

Häberli has also made a name for himself with his imaginative interiors for shops, restaurants and hotels. He created more than 60 products ranging from bathroom hooks to carpets for the interior of the design hotel 25hours in Zurich West. In every room he has placed an object that is linked to the city of Zurich.

Häberli’s extensive experience in product design and the scope of his projects and assignments, including floor coverings for various clients, make him the ideal ambassador for DOMOTEX. "Flooring needs to be an integral part of room design while still making an individual statement. It can be designed in such a way that only a second glance reveals surprising patterns and textures. The impact is the important thing. Design should evoke emotions and reinforce the character of the room", says Häberli.

In fact, carpet design has often proven to be an area of Häberli’s design competence: "Carpeting", he continues, "is essentially a feel-good factor. It can bring warmth, comfort and color into a room. More than that: it can be used to define and separate spaces or designate an area for walking barefoot."

New insipiration for architects, planners and designers

Häberli’s presence at DOMOTEX will be a major attraction, especially for architects, designers and planners. In his keynote speech at the Innovations@DOMOTEX Dialogues in Hall 6 on 14 January 2017 he will outline some of the elements of effective design and the ideas and inspiration that render his work fresh, surprising and original. The exchange between the top designer and his audience will prove fruitful, informative and exciting.

Guided tours geared to practical aspects of the keynote themes of the Innovations@ DOMOTEX Dialogues program and featuring selected innovations will provide creative professionals with a wealth of information and ideas for the contracting sector. Headed by some big names in architecture, design and journalism, the tours will offer an insight into the most exciting innovations of the sector. A selection of new products and developments in the floor coverings industry can also be viewed in the Innovations@DOMOTEX areas in halls 6, 9 and 17.