The inaugural Find Attached exhibition in Berlin unveiled a collection of ingenious designs from 14 emerging talents, all united by a commitment to sustainability and resourceful living. Hosted during Berlin's new Currents festival, the exhibition transformed a historic shutter factory into a showcase of forward-thinking products. Curated by Jonas Paul Spieker, Mia Pahl, and Jul Gross, the event sought to elevate the profiles of local young designers, offering them a much-needed platform to present solutions addressing global challenges related to resource scarcity and environmental impact.

Emerging Designers Showcase Sustainable Innovations at Berlin's Find Attached Exhibition

In mid-September 2026, the vibrant city of Berlin played host to its first-ever Find Attached exhibition, a pivotal event within the newly established Currents festival. The exhibition, conceived by University of the Arts Berlin (UdK) alumni Jonas Paul Spieker, Mia Pahl, and Jul Gross, took over a portion of a beautiful, old 1900s shutter factory. The primary objective was to spotlight the often-overlooked local design community, providing a stage for 14 innovative designers to present their projects focused on maximizing limited resources and fostering societal change.

Among the standout exhibits, Garance Pröbsting unveiled a revolutionary natural air conditioner that operates entirely without electricity. This ingenious device utilizes a wetted textile divider with an integrated reservoir, allowing air to flow through its central slit to create a cooling effect—a modern take on ancient atmospheric cooling techniques. Mia Pahl, one of the exhibition's founders, presented a water-conserving wash station inspired by the German concept of 'Katzenwäsche,' or 'cat's wash,' emphasizing minimal water usage by requiring manual two-liter reservoir filling and wastewater collection. This design significantly reduces water consumption compared to traditional showers. The Vloow Design Lab, comprising another trio of UdK students, showcased a space-saving, foldable sink crafted from repurposed truck tarps, ideal for compact living environments. Marie Kurstjens addressed critical hygiene needs with a reusable menstrual kit designed for displaced populations lacking access to clean water and sanitation. Jonas Paul Spieker's 'ImPerfekt' furniture series challenged conventional manufacturing by skipping the final finishing step in CNC-milled wood furniture, highlighting the energy expenditure of achieving 'perfection' and questioning society's tolerance for imperfection in sustainable practices. Other notable contributions included Esmée Willemsen's customizable coffin made from 3D-printed sawdust, Paul Rees's satirical climate change survival tools such as an ice-cube scarf, and works from Anna-Maria Argmann, Emily Lechaux, Lion Sanguinette, Emil Löber, Daniel Sauter, and Lukas Henneberger, all exploring themes of sustainability, resourcefulness, and critical commentary on contemporary issues.

This exhibition serves as a powerful reminder of the untapped potential within local design communities to drive meaningful change. By fostering a platform for young, innovative minds, Berlin's Find Attached exhibition not only enriches the city's cultural landscape but also inspires a broader reconsideration of how design can proactively address pressing global challenges, encouraging us all to embrace more conscious consumption and sustainable practices in our daily lives.