Another year, another trade show. Overall, I found less of interest than normal at this year’s BDNY. It also seemed like a lighter attendance than last year. Nonetheless, there are a handful of things worth noting from this show, which concentrates on the needs of the hospitality trade.
Germs
Stern Engineering Ltd. showed touchless WC partition doors. Operating via proximity sensors, the user no longer needs to manually operate the toilet partition door. As we become more sensitive to germs and with the reality that 80% of germs are transferred by touch, this is a solution for a problem that might extend beyond a public restroom.
A continual issue with shower enclosures is grout mold. Mincey Marble is promoting cast marble that eliminates the grout. Unfortunately, for me, it has the look of the inexpensive resin/plastic tub enclosures that are advertised on late-night television. Too bad, they may be on to something here with a higher-end answer to black mold. I hope they continue to work on it.
Need privacy in a large space? Room offers a collection of portable spaces that can insure some level of quiet and a place to meet. While this can be of value in hotels, I can also see the importance in open-plan office settings and maybe even homes with two “work from home” living partners.
https://room.com/?srsltid=AfmBOorunYggcJhlk0dTOnh_xOLfZpU-47rDZVgue8E4U2fPBHbKNy58
Lighting
I have mentioned Swadoh before and their product bears repeating. Their design approach is different and unique. I was especially drawn to the look of torn and battered pages of a book used in their Fungia collection. If something special is needed, I’d suggest a look here.
Uecko is a Spanish cabinet company. Nice products, but what attracted my attention was the internal lighting. 3/8” wide LED Tape has become the default for so many tasks, so when I saw the internal cabinet lighting, I was very surprised. A tiny 3/16”, at most ¼” sliver of LED lit the cabinet interiors. This forced me to ask, “Why have we settled on the current LED Tape width?” Perhaps it is easy. No need to reinvent the printed circuitry that drives the concept. No need to engineer new connectors. Regardless, LED is very adaptive and why not consider a smaller concept. It certainly works here.
As I gazed into the Artemide showroom window in SOHO, I was reminded of a past comment I made on RGB lighting. “Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.” Yes, color changing lighting is fun, but it has a very limited practical use, especially in a home. I’m not sure where “Discovery Dialogue” by Ernesto Gismondi will be used, but I love the conversation and I appreciate the respect for technology expressed in the creator’s abstract. We must understand lighting technology will change and luminaire design and application will change. We need to get on board, or step aside.
https://www.artemide.com/en/subfamily/4746461/discovery-dialogue
Miscellaneous
I liked the combined materials of ceramic and leather used by Meso Goods in their wall hanging, Tela de Barro. Meso products are made in Latin America and this was an especially appealing design and use of mixed materials.
Anytime I see Zaha Hadid, I am hooked. Despite her dying many years ago, her architectural firm continues and they have been remarkably consistent with her artistic vision. Isimar, a Northern Spain manufacturer of galvanized metal rod products, has engaged her firm and they have created Topos an outdoor chaise and chair that immediately brings to mind some of Hadid’s architectural work.
Outdoor heating has become more and more important, yet the design of the units has been somewhat pedestrian. Heatsail is a Belgian company that is creating interesting and fashionable heating units. Resembling pendants and 70s era Italian floor lamps, outdoor heating in outdoor spaces can be achieved more beautifully now.
I loved the dimensionality of the rugs at the family run, Portuguese weaver Ferreira de Sá. The addition of these pieces would make almost any room better.
These might appear “old fashion” but I liked the full wall murals displayed by Paul Montgomery. I think these could find a place in the interiors of the next decade, especial the less literal compositions like birds on a tree and jungle scenes. The concept of large, immersive wall coverings fits with the bend to maximalism and these are wonderful options.
Despite a limited amount of new ideas, my trip to New York and BDNY did deliver a few concepts that will drive the future. We must all remember that the hospitality industry is often the driving force of design for the residential consumer. It is important to understand this industry to better determine what the residential consumer will want and desire in the future.
Lighting by Jeffrey 
2 replies on “BDNY 2024 Report”
Just saw this, Jeff, fascinating — there could be some important ideas for lighting brewing too.
I share your concern about RGB lighting and much prefer white light + RGB for practical applications.
Terry
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The wall hanging reminded me of my grandma’s wall mural in her kitchen — can’t say I hate the idea.
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