his exhibit for Kohlhaas Messebau GmbH & Co. KG may look like little more than a curious configuration of suspended foam balls. But there was profound meaning behind this unusual, impactful design, which debuted at EuroShop 2011. "Aristotle put it best - the whole is greater than the sum of its parts," said Kohlhaas designer Florian Dorsch. "We see Kohlhaas' relationship with its clients the same way, so we translated that philosophy into a room-sized sculpture."

In the 21-by-39-foot exhibit, 1,028 orange foam balls were meticulously suspended from the ceiling on clear nylon strings and elevated from the floor on ultra-thin rods for a display that generated a sense of movement from every direction. The wave-like effect created a tension that Exhibit Design Awards judges felt drew people into the booth. "With simple foam balls, the designers created an impactful presence," one judge said. "It seems easy to suspend a bunch of orange spheres, but the level of precision necessary to perfectly align them is astounding, particularly within the confines of a trade show exhibit."

Judges felt the undulating design was aesthetically appealing and strategic. "The overhead elements suggest a sense of flow throughout the space," one judge said. Pathways led visitors past iPad information stations, a literature wall, and a sitting area. Along the way, visitors could learn more about the company's philosophy from selectively imprinted balls scattered about that bore German words for brand attributes such as "Teamwork," "Sustainability," and "Communication."

"While the orange balls clearly take center stage, this is also a very purposeful exhibit with a reception area, lounge, and learning stations," one judge said. "It was essentially a giant piece of highly functional fine art."e