Dick Spierenburg
- Interior Designer
- Founder of Spierenburg Studio
- Creative Director of imm cologne
1. In your opinion, what are the defining trends shaping the furniture production and interior design industry today? How do you see these trends reflected in the nominated products or companies for the interzum guangzhou Award?
The way we use resources is strongly in focus in the process of designing products and interiors. Are they circular, reusable, or bio-based? How much energy is used in production? These are actual topics in the industry. As always societal change and new available technology are at the starting point for new products and product innovations, such as material research, AI and digital systems. Consumers embrace attractive innovations and at the same time stick to traditions. In there lies a challenge for designers and industry. In the nominated products and materials I found these challenges taken very seriously and followed up by great solutions.
2. Among all the submissions this year, which prominent features capture your interest the most (e.g., materials, technology, design philosophy)?
I saw the use of bio-based ingredients leading to safer materials. Time, material and energy saving solutions in mounting components. Safer control systems thanks to AI technology. Innovative, invisible functions in traditional products like mattresses.
3. This year, some award-winning products have incorporated AI functions. What's your view on the impact of AI on the furniture industry?
AI will help to create new and better optimized products but also helps both design professionals and end users to visualize, optimize and personalize furniture, lighting and complete interiors.
4. What advice would you offer to the future participants of interzum guangzhou Award?
A wide orientation focused on societal change, new technologies and real needs. Less focus on unnecessary gadgets and creating passivity. Keeping users active, not spoiling them! Working eco-friendly, sustainable, circular.
5. Looking ahead, what changes do you anticipate in the furniture production and interior design market over the next 3 to 5 years? How can industry stakeholders adapt to these shifts to maintain their influence?
Reused and bio-based materials will break through. An also energy saving processes and products, hidden technology, customisation, intelligent control systems. All of this on the cutting edge of high tech and tradition.
