BRAZIL – The second edition of HIGH DESIGN – Home & Office Expo took place from August 8 -10, at São Paulo Expo as an anchor event of the DW! São Paulo Design Weekend.

The three-day exhibition had a 20% increase in the number of visitors and for the first time on-site renewal was carried out for 2018. Another new feature this year was the first business meetings held between Brazilian designers and importers. The initiative, promoted by Sindmóveis with the support of Apex-Brasil, totaled more than 60 meetings held in a two-day event.

With an increase of 30% both in area and in exhibiting brands when compared to last year’s event, more than 16 thousand visitors checked all the new products, including furniture, lighting, rugs, wallpapers, customized modular furniture and solutions for corporate areas, showed by more than 100 brands.

The highlight of HIGH DESIGN 2017 was the appreciation of the Brazilian design, demonstrated by the presence of approximately 150 professionals who signed pieces exhibited in many booths. STUDIO HIGH confirmed the positioning of the fair as one of the main showcases for new designers by presenting works from 20 design studios, including young and renowned talents.

One of the premises of the fair has always been to provide visitors with unique, unprecedented and exclusive live experiences. Mission accomplished successfully through the significant program for the areas aimed to debate issues that permeate the architecture, design and businesses markets. During the three-day event, attendees at HIGH DESIGN could choose from more than 50 talks to participate and address relevant topics. Lecturers included Jader Almeida, Ana Neute, Fernando Prado, Sergio Matos, Guto Requena, Aristeu Pires, Fernanda Marques, Suite Architects, Fabio Morozini, Ruth Zein, Christina Hamoui, Rodrigo Jorge and Fábio Bouilet, Cristina Wakamatsu from LW Design; Mariana Orsi, Pedro Morais; CR2 Arquitetura and Casa 14 Arquitetura and Lucila Turqueto.

Concurrent events reinforced HIGH DESIGN 2017 concept of debating and enhancing all aspects of contemporary design: the 6th DW! São Paulo Design Weekend, the largest urban festival in Latin America, aimed to promote the design culture; CONAD – National Convention of Interior Designers, a traditional event organized by the Brazilian Association of Interior Designers (ABD) since 1996; 8th Greenbuilding Brasil – International Conference and Expo, main sustainable construction event in Latin America and the Salão Design Award Show, product design award organized by Sindmóveis since 1988.

Promoted by the Informa group and devised by Summit Promo, the next HIGH DESIGN will be held from August 28-30, 2018 and will once again be one of the main anchors of the largest urban design festival in Latin America, the DW!.