02 — Vertiflute: Worldbex and Conex 2026
An experience shaped by movement, curiosity, and materiality.
Project Name
Designed by
Location
Year Built
Area
Vertiflute
SMX Convention Center
2026
36 sqm
The structure emerged as a spatial pause; a form shaped not only to be seen, but to be experienced through movement and interaction.
The design began with intention. At exhibitions like WORLDBEX and CONEX, where hundreds of brands compete for attention in a sea of spectacle, the challenge is to design a space that invites people in, holds their attention, and leaves a lasting spatial impression. Rather than treating the structure as a static object, it was shaped by observing how visitors engage with space about how they move and where they pause.
From this understanding of movement, the form emerged as a direct response to flow. Sweeping curves, open thresholds, and portals designed to guide visitors and encourage them to move around, through, and within the structure. The space became an experience of movement and presence that lingers beyond the moment of passing through.
CONEX 2026, Linen Portal
WORLDBEX 2026, Fluted Natural Stones Display
A dedicated display gallery was conceived as an extension of the booth’s narrative centered on tactility and human interaction. Rather than presenting materials as static samples on a wall, the gallery was designed around the question of how people naturally reach for, trace, and experience surfaces through touch.
Panels were arranged at approachable heights and in immersive compositions that invited visitors to run their hands across textures, feel the rhythm of the fluted profiles, and understand the depth, warmth, and character of each panel. The display transformed material selection into a sensory encounter, emphasizing that architecture is not only something we see, but something we physically engage through texture, weight, and touch.
This tactile approach also redefined the space as an active surfaces that showcased Vertiflute’s versatility across different finishes and applications. Each zone was articulated with a distinct material expression, allowing every transition through the space to feel like entering a new spatial experience. From acoustic panels that created intimacy, to WPC Metallic that introduced depth, to Flexiflute Panels that played with light and shadow, each material palette gave its area a unique atmosphere. This thoughtful layering of finishes transformed the booth into a sequence of tactile environments, guiding visitors through a journey of discovery where material was not only displayed, but fully embodied in space.
CONEX 2026, Display Shelves from Hardware Museum
The collaboration with Topshelf and Hardware Museum brought a finer layer of craftsmanship and detail to the space, showing how material systems, fittings, and millwork can come together to create a seamless architectural experience. Rather than functioning as separate branded elements within the booth, each contribution was carefully integrated into the larger spatial language where surfaces, joinery, and hardware became part of one cohesive design narrative. This partnership highlighted not only the visual compatibility of the materials, but also how thoughtful detailing elevates the way people move through and interact with space.
At the heart of this collaboration was Topshelf’s application of Vertiflute materials within bespoke cabinetry and counter. The counter doors were finished in Flexiflute 25mm In, whose deep fluted profile introduced rhythm, shadow, and a tactile softness to one of the structure’s central touchpoints. In contrast, cabinet doors featured Acrylic Fluted Out 4mm, offering a sharper, more refined surface quality that played beautifully with reflected light and transparency. Together, these material choices created layers of texture and visual contrast balancing warmth, polish, and dimensionality while demonstrating the versatility of Vertiflute profiles across different applications and scales.
Complementing these crafted surfaces were thoughtfully selected hinges and shelving systems from Hardware Museum, where functional hardware became an integral design element as a part of experience. The shelving installation formed a portal threshold within the booth framing views, defining circulation, and creating moments of passage that invited visitors deeper into the space. More than display infrastructure, these shelves became architectural devices that encouraged exploration, allowing materials to be seen up close, touched, and understood in context.
WORLDBEX 2026, Acoustic Portal / Acrylic Nook
What made Vertiflute’s presence at WORLDBEX and CONEX resonate was its understanding that material presentation goes beyond display; it is about creating experience. Through a space shaped by circulation, defined by tactility, and enriched by thoughtful collaboration, the booth became more than a showcase of products; it became an environment that invited movement, curiosity, and meaningful interaction. Every curve, threshold, and surface was carefully considered, creating a spatial experience that guided movement while allowing the materials to be understood through proximity and touch.
At its core, the structure embodied Vertiflute’s design philosophy: that surfaces have the power to define atmosphere, guide movement, and create meaningful sensory experiences. Through the expressive use of fluted forms, layered materiality, and spatial rhythm, Vertiflute demonstrated how wall systems can move beyond finish and become architecture in their own right. The installation stood as a reflection of design with intention; where material, form, and human experience come together to create spaces that are not only seen, but deeply felt.
