SquareRooms | Issue 180 • April 2020

99 Focus on Brazil Each year, Ambiente dedicates a key space to the rising talents of a specific country. In 2020, the fair turned the spotlight on Brazil, a country whose art, architecture and design scenes are exponentially growing. The five Brazilian design studios showcased a variety of products that represented the country’s love for modern design and respect for its rich traditions. Trend watch Ambiente has always been a hotbed for upcoming design trends, with many exhibitors unveiling new products and collections that will only be officially launched later in the year. This year, the organisers curated three design categories: shaped+softened, precise+architectural and artistical+diverse. Additionally, they engaged the help of Future Thinkers, a group of students from Netherlands’ Fontys University of Applied Science, to further research and present the “underlying values behind products, ideas and services”. Sustainable and ethical One of the major innovations of Ambiente is its dedication to social good. Throughout the fairgrounds, brands and companies that provide sustainable and ethical designs were highlighted. There was even a section that focused on products hand-crafted by refugees. COMING SOON! We kept an eye out for some design trends you might love. Jungle greens Lush greenery was on show throughout the fair with many exhibitors embracing the ‘back-to- nature’ vibes. Quirky picks With so many design talents on show, their quirky and eclectic sides were on full display. From avant garde expressions to whimsical flairs, many exhibitors weren’t afraid to walk on the wild side. New and improved Many exhibitors showcased new technology and innovations that promise to be the “next big thing”. This ranged from unique materials to new production methods. Blue highlights Blue seemed to be the on-trend colour with different shades of the hue making unexpected appearances all over the exhibition halls.