KaDaWe, one of the oldest department stores in Berlin and indeed the world, recently opened up a new wing designed by French architect India Mahdavi. The new section of the store was inspired by the Bauhaus movement, and it features different tones of Santa Margherita, a composite stone material made from quartz sand and resin.
KaDaWe, which is short for Kaufhaus des Westens, has been in operation in Berlin since 1907. Not many years after that, the Bauhaus school of architecture and design (which also stemmed from Germany) began to make its mark on the world, so Mahdavi's choice is all the more fitting. Bauhaus is known for its insistence on combining the work of artists with craftsmen, and the aesthetically intricate lines and patterns that make up KaDaWe are indeed just as artistic as they are practical.
Deco Department Store Interiors
India Mahdavi's Design for KaDaWe Features Colored Quartz
Trend Themes
1. Bauhaus-inspired Designs - Opportunities for creating furniture, home decor, and architectural designs that incorporate the aesthetic principles of the Bauhaus movement.
2. Composite Stone Materials - Potential for the development and application of composite stone materials like Santa Margherita, which combine quartz sand and resin for various interior and architectural projects.
3. Artist-craftsmen Collaboration - Disruptive innovation opportunities lie in fostering collaborations between artists and craftsmen, merging creativity and practicality in the design and production process.
Industry Implications
1. Interior Design - Interior designers can embrace Bauhaus-inspired designs to create unique and aesthetically intricate spaces for residential and commercial clients.
2. Furniture Manufacturing - The furniture industry can explore the production of Bauhaus-inspired furniture pieces that embody the combination of artistry and functionality.
3. Architectural Materials - Companies in the architectural materials sector can invest in the research and development of composite stone materials to offer innovative solutions for interior and exterior applications.