Hearth & Home Technologies
Using simplistic vignettes to inspire designers, architect, and builders.
Project Brief
Hearth & Home Technologies – home of eight state-of-the-art fireplace brands – partnered with Derse to design and execute a new exhibit for the International Builders’ Show (IBS) 2023 that would allow designers and architects to visualize Hearth & Home Technologies’ products in their own projects and engage in conversations with representatives to learn more.
Strategies
CHALLENGE
As Hearth & Home made plans to return to IBS 2023, they looked to their longtime exhibit provider, Derse, to design, build, and execute their 40’ x 50’ exhibit. Hoping to change the look of their previous exhibit to be more modern and have a sleek finish, Hearth & Home wanted their fireplaces to inspire architects, designers, and general contractors attending the trade show.
DESIGN SOLUTION
Derse designed different concepts pursuing a different trade show strategy from prior years. Hearth & Home selected the design concept with several minimalistic vignettes and simple product displays on the perimeter of the exhibit. With their products as the hero of the exhibit and topic of conversation, Derse developed a space for architects and designers alike to envision Hearth & Home’s fireplaces in their future project environments.
Large horizontal slabs of monotone tile and high-end materials were the backdrop of simple vignettes. Above each of the vignettes were large-format, illuminated graphics emphasizing the emotions and experiences their products evoke.
PRODUCT AS THE HERO
In addition, Derse strategically designed the booth with specific lighting hanging from above. The spotlights allowed Hearth & Home to highlight their products without using show lighting. Although some of the vignettes had monitors, the focal point of every corner of the exhibit was Hearth & Home’s fireplaces. By selecting the right materials, the exhibit was able to let their products shine.
CRISIS AVERTED
While much of the installation went according to plan, the team was faced with one major curveball: a general contractor’s forklift driver dropped one of the vignettes while bringing it to the exhibit space, resulting in a broken marble slab. Fortunately, due to Derse’s swift response and problem-solving, one of the two remaining slabs in the United States of this rare type of marble was shipped to the convention center in time for the show to open. After resolving the marble crisis, the show opened without any complications.
