02 — Vertiflute: Worldbex and Conex 2026

Archive2026

May 19

Written By Vertiflute Admin

An experience shaped by movement, curiosity, and materiality.

Project Name

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.

WorldBex 2026

We approached the structure as something that should be experienced. Throughout our previous WorldBex exhibitions, we studied how people navigate exhibition spaces; where they pause, where they shift direction, and how forms can subtly guide the circulation. Instead of forcing visitors into a single path, the forms opened and narrowed in response to movement, creating moments of compression and release that encouraged exploration.

The display strategy became equally important. We wanted the materials to feel immersive and approachable. The product displays were designed around human interaction, specifically the instinct to reach out, touch surfaces, and experience texture physically. Moving through the structure became a sequence of changing atmospheres, where acoustic panels softened spaces, WPC Metallic introduced contrast and reflectivity, and Flexiflute MDF surfaces played with shadow and light. Instead of separating architecture from material, the design allowed the materials themselves to shape the spatial experience.

This idea extended through the collaboration with Topshelf and Hardware Museum. Topshelf utilized Flexiflute 25mm In panels for the counter doors and Acrylic Fluted Out 4mm panels for the cabinet doors, while Hardware Museum supplied the hinges and shelving systems. Together, these elements created a seamless installation that encouraged visitors to engage closely with the materials and craftsmanship.

CONEX 2026

For CONEX 2026, the design approached the exhibition space as a place for connection. While previous installations focused on movement and discovery, this concept explored how architecture could encourage people to slow down, stay longer, and naturally gather. The layout opened into a larger and more welcoming environment where conversations could happen comfortably, allowing the booth to feel less like a display and more like a shared space within the exhibition.

At the center of the installation, a linen portal framed the experience while introducing the new WPC Linen finishes. The softer textures and muted tones created a calmer atmosphere compared to the highly energetic environment of the trade show. Rather than using the materials as static samples, they became part of the architecture itself, surrounding visitors and shaping the overall mood of the space.

To support this sense of gathering, a custom-designed bench was integrated into the installation, giving visitors a reason to pause instead of simply passing through. Throughout the exhibition, the space became a backdrop for casual conversations, meetings, and moments of reconnection between designers, clients, and visitors. The design was not only about presenting materials, but about creating an environment where people felt comfortable enough to stay, interact, and build relationships naturally

WorldBex 2026, *Acoustic Portal / Acrylic Nook*

What made Vertiflute’s presence at WORLDBEX and CONEX resonate was our 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 structure 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: 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.