School of Architecture + Design faculty, students only U.S. university team invited to Cologne furniture fair
A team of faculty and students in Virginia Tech's School of Architecture + Design in the College of Architecture and Urban Studies represented the United States at the imm Cologne furniture fair in Germany. Virginia Tech was the only U.S. university invited to participate.
The team is led by Joseph Wheeler, associate professor of architecture, and Robert Dunay, the T. A. Carter Professor of Architecture and director of the Center for Design Research. Dunay and Wheeler, both members of the American Institute of Architects and residents of Blacskburg, have been working with graduate and undergraduate students from architecture and industrial design to develop the exhibit titled, Industrialized Furniture. The work represents a distinctive aspect of design research, presenting an intellectual dimension emphasizing innovative use of computer and fabrication technology.
At the imm Cologne 2009 about 1,200 exhibitors from more than 50 countries showed an international product range which is unique in respect to its quality and diversity.
In total, 120 independent designers and studios, as well as 21 universities from the fields of architecture, interior design, and product design presented their work to imm Cologne exhibitors, visitors and journalists during the fair held Jan. 19-25.
The invitation to participate in the imm Cologne furniture fairs was a direct result of the team’s participation in the Milan Furniture Fair last year. Imm Cologne organizers saw Virginia Tech’s work and invited them on the spot.
