Experimentarium came to Feria Hábitat València with a clear intention: to champion curiosity, risk-taking and experimentation as an antidote to uniformity.
Our laboratory moved to Valencia with a new spatial layout, organised around a large orange cross that connected the different areas of the stand. A journey designed to present the latest designs and, above all, spark curiosity by showing what happens when design invites participation rather than simply being looked at.
Gradas was one of the main protagonists. The Grada XL version, by Dutch studio UNS, surprised visitors with its scale, architectural presence and, above all, the freedom of use it proposes. Because there is no single right way to sit.
But Gradas also showed just how much a piece can change when you play with its proportions, finishes and scale. The Grada XL, originally conceived as a large-scale piece, gave rise to the Grada M sofa and the Grada S armchair. An evolution that retains its architectural language even as the piece becomes smaller, while upholstery and lacquered finishes open up different combinations and give each version its own expression.
Colour once again proved its ability to transform a design. Palma, by Mallorcan designer Marc Morro, demonstrated this from two opposite ends of the spectrum: from the calmness of silk grey combined with natural wood to the intensity of fluorescent lime, with playful mauve and elegant curry in between, all in monochrome versions. Different finishes can give the same design a completely different look without losing its identity.
Something similar happens with the Twins armchairs by designer and, in her own way, seamstress Júlia Esqué. The Formal and Drama versions already start from two distinct personalities, but the choice of fabrics and colours adds another layer to the game, accentuating their differences and giving each combination its own character.
At the other end of the spectrum was Mimoso, by Swedish studio Note. Its generous U-shaped configuration almost became the stand’s chill-out zone without even trying. Some visitors sat down to try it out and seemed rather reluctant to get back up. Its generous proportions, oversized cushions and unmistakably cosy character did the rest.
Many visitors had already made time in their schedules to see Sandra Egido and Iván Sier in Experimental Movement. But the performance also caught the attention of those simply passing by. The dancers’ hypnotic, at times unexpected movements transformed the space and offered a different perspective on the products, exploring new ways of interacting with them.
And, to finish, Play & Pause, the space we shared with RS Barcelona, showed that experimentation can also mean taking a break and connecting. The eight-player foosball table brought out the most competitive among us, while the Links seating elements by Raw Color welcomed those who preferred to take things a little more slowly.
Valencia reminded us once again that creating means experimenting, making mistakes, changing perspective and daring to do things differently. Experimentarium makes sense when scenography stops being just a backdrop and becomes a starting point for discovering new ways of relating to objects and space.
Thank you to everyone who stopped by our stand, sat down, played, asked questions, touched, explored and, above all, experimented with us.
