The new exhibition stand concept for Swisspearl, the Swiss manufacturer of fibre cement building envelopes, is fully dedicated to the principles of the circular economy.
Whereas conventional trade fair booths are often discarded after a single use, generating large amounts of waste, Stephan Hürlemann’s design focuses on disassembly, reuse, and material longevity.
First presented at BAU 2025 in Munich, Swisspearl demonstrates that trade fair architecture can be both sustainable and visually engaging.

At its core, the stand is built from a reused scaffolding structure, bearing the visible traces of previous use. Its raw aesthetic deliberately contrasts with the polished, elaborate neighboring booths. The interior surfaces are clad with lightweight mono-material textiles, creating a bright and refined atmosphere. Along the side panels, the fabric doubles as a communication surface.
The spatial layout is defined by a coffee bar and micro-architectures that offer intimate spaces for conversation. The scene is complemented by custom-designed mobile display units, presenting Swisspearl’s products in a flexible and adaptable setting.

After the exhibition, nearly all elements are reused at other locations or reintegrated into the next use cycle. Some of the mono-material textiles are recycled.

«Beyond reducing Swisspearl’s ecological footprint, our goal was to introduce new ways of seeing. Circular design has its own aesthetic — a beauty that takes time to appreciate,»
says Stephan Hürlemann.


Design: Stephan Hürlemann
Design Assistant and Project Management: Elisa Böll
Sub-Project Management: Rik Bovens


Photos: © Swisspearl / @Bluedonau