A castle, two days, eight conversation rounds – that’s the setting of the Austrian Design Talks at Schloss Hollenegg. The focus lies on questions such as how design contributes to economic success, what added value it can generate, and how this can be anchored in a modern business strategy. Each conversation round features duos of clients and designers presenting their projects and offering insights into their design process. Moderators from Creative Industries Styria, designaustria and Schloss Hollenegg for Design lead the discussions, with the audience invited to follow up with questions.
The Topics and Duos in Detail
The following projects were presented and discussed at the tenth edition of the Austrian Design Talks at Schloss Hollenegg:
Swisspearl: Rethinking Cement
Architect and designer Martin Mostböck and Head of Marketing Hans-Jörg Kasper spoke about Swisspearl’s outdoor series made of fibre cement and shaped by a forward-thinking design approach: “Nowhere does our material come closer to the user than in seating or garden products,” said Kasper. “That’s how we make the product more approachable.”
Molto Luce: The Future of Office Lighting
Product designer Michael Fink and Head of Product Management Christian Hofwimmer discussed the »LENS« office lighting solution, which combines sensor matrix technology with minimalist design. An interesting comparison: “Our LENS 2 includes several daylight sensors. The computing engine has roughly the same processing power as a PlayStation 1,” noted Hofwimmer.
Weitzer Woodsolutions: Where Wood Meets High Tech
Wolfgang Knöbl from Weitzer Woodsolutions and Andreas Straßmayr from KEBA discussed their jointly developed high-tech wooden casing for wall boxes, with a strong focus on sustainability. Straßmayr remarked: “In the future, we want to use wood much more in production – even in areas where it might still seem unusual today. The industry is taking new paths.”
Cucina Alchimia: Alchemy of Space, Form and Function
Jakob Bretterbauer and Michael Moser from Cucina Alchimia, together with Simon Pointner from Studio FREUDE, spoke about their joint restaurant project as an “institute for experimental culinary arts” and a vehicle to realise further ideas. “For me, working with Cucina Alchimia was also an exciting addition to my portfolio,” said Pointner from a designer’s perspective. “Our aim was to make an international mark.”
Lobmeyr: Homage to the Line
Designer Bodo Sperlein and Johannes Rath, Managing Director of J. & L. Lobmeyr, discussed the »SCRIPT« lighting series, inspired by the elegance of typography. “For me, it’s not about having an object,” said Rath, “but about creating a language, a line that can be conjugated across different applications.” Designer Sperlein added: “For me, good design is something that still looks good even when it’s not in use.”
Artweger: Design with a Double Purpose
Christoph Pauschitz from GP designpartners and Michael Walkoun from Artweger talked about their collaboratively developed walk-in shower with barrier-free access, called »JOICE«. “In recent years and decades, bathrooms have become more integrated into living spaces,” said designer Pauschitz. “That’s why we need to design the bathroom as such, not just as a utility room.”
Sprinters: Sustainable Success Under Pressure
Designer Tomislav Bobinec and Gerhard Steindl from Medienfabrik Graz explored the development of the company’s new online printing brand with a focus on speed, regionality, and sustainability – Sprinters. “In the past, digital printing wasn’t an option for everyone,” said Steindl. “But with the inkjet machines developed in recent years, we can now achieve a quality that’s almost better than offset printing – especially thanks to the repeatability.”
Hutter Acustix: Virtuosic Stage and Sound Spaces
Architect Johannes Kraus and Elisabeth Hutter from the acoustic carpentry workshop Hutter Acustix discussed the triangle of architecture, acoustics, and craftsmanship. “The room is the first instrument,” Hutter summarised the challenge of acoustic design in buildings. “Only when that is taken care of can the musicians come.” But it’s not just about functionality – design also plays a role: “In music, the pauses are important. In architecture, so are the voids – otherwise the concept doesn’t work,” said Kraus.
About the Austrian Design Talks at Schloss Hollenegg
The Austrian Design Talks at Schloss Hollenegg present best-practice examples demonstrating how a symbiotic relationship between design and business can lead to innovative products and services. Nine partnerships between traditional industries and designers take centre stage at the round table. The designers and entrepreneurs reflect together on the learnings from their collaboration and offer insights into their personal approach to design and the resulting impact on their business activities.
The format is an event by Creative Industries Styria in cooperation with designaustria, Holzcluster Steiermark, and Schloss Hollenegg for Design. In 2025, the Design Talks were held for the tenth time.
