Messe Frankfurt Kiosks

The opening of hall 12 in 2018 makes a round dozen. Which is why Messe Frankfurt wanted this event space to be in a class of its own: a very modern, multifunctional event location has been created over two floors and across 33,600 square metres, with a fantastic view of Frankfurt’s famous skyline. Exhibition hall 12 is something very special in many ways – and also a generous space, designed to handle large numbers of exhibition visitors. Its aisles are exceedingly long and, as a result, can seem rather deserted. With our expressive ‘Loop’ and ‘Shade & Shelter’ kiosks, however, we have created places to remember there. Places that give visitors the feeling that they’ve not simply visited hall 12, but have experienced it in full.

Design not designed to merge with the architecture
At the request of Messe Frankfurt, we designed two kiosk concepts with satellite seating platforms. Both arrangements are designed to attract guests and encourage them to stop for a while. As we placed great value on long-range impact, we developed two completely independent designs that are a deliberate departure from the surrounding hall aesthetic: both ‘Loop’ and ‘Shade & Shelter’ appear as visual counterpoints. Although function was not the key focus here, the individual constructions integrate top-of-the-range quality for catering. Moreover, they are designed to be places with high recreational qualities: devised to benefit exhibition visitors of course, but also exhibition employees. After all, selling is much more fulfilling in an aesthetic and interesting environment – and this communicates itself to visitors.

Expressive objects with long-range impact
‘Loop’ embodies a welcoming gesture and appeals to visitors from afar. The folded-back, shuttered lamellae of its outer shell immediately communicate to visitors that the kiosk is open. This message is deliberately overstated. The warm, natural materials exude an attractive atmosphere of peace and comfort. While the stainless steel cites the kitchen context and traces the motif of the bladed shutter in rich contrast.

‘Shade & Shelter’ uses its outer shell to entice visitors. Appearing as a foreign body in space, it plays on the unexpected and invites visitors to draw nearer to investigate. With every step, the shadows, reflections and colour values of its metallic painted, cascading layout of shingles change. From a distance, the shell appears closed, draw closer however and it gradually opens up. The construction allows light to penetrate from all sides, ensuring plenty of transparency and lightness. ‘Shade & Shelter’ is a visual spectacle, a veritable bird of paradise in this context.

Resting places or micro offices on the move?
Both kiosks are surrounded by large seating islands – places to rest, away from the bustle of the trade fair. The seating islands offer different dynamic positions: you can sit and lean back either at chair height or bar stool height. What is more, electronic devices can be charged and the levels can be used as table surfaces, transforming the islands into micro offices on the move. Exhibition visitors can recharge their batteries here, both literally and figuratively, and put the islands to whichever use they need. Strong personalities will use both options, of course.