Kvadrat Winter News 2021

This winter Kvadrat takes a fresh look at sculptural textile design – introducing two new textiles by Karin An Rijlaarsdam – exploring the delicate irregularities of natural surfaces inspired by the crafts, traditions and landscapes of Grand-Bassam, Côte d’Ivoire, where she resides. Really is launching an innovative new acoustic material made from post-production polyester waste. Furthermore, introducing a new creen fabric by Patricia Urquiola, and Kvadrat Shade adds two new metallised and highly technical textiles to its collection.

Encircle and Interlace by Karin An Rijlaarsdam

Aiming to create three-dimensional textiles, Karin An Rijlaarsdam's design process is informed and inspired by local textures and artisanship techniques – taking particular interest in how they spark social interactions and shape identity.

Karin An Rijlaarsdam: “We collaborated continuously with artisans to redefine crafting techniques in a contemporary and durable way.”

Encircle is a sculptural upholstery textile with a tactile, meticulous expression. Complex yet simple, Encircle unites a naturally irregular bouclé yarn and a plain-dyed background yarn. Playing with transparencies, the upholstery gives an intriguing look: intricate irregular circles appearing to pop out of its surface.

The curtain textile Interlace is a light, transparent, soft curtain with a distinctive, irregular organic expression. The result of extensive research into weaving techniques and meandering lines that never cross, Interlace features gently undulating lines, reminiscent of handcrafted structures and braids, which flow down its surface. The curtain occupies a space between plain and patterned design, as these lines come from densities in the weave. The colour-scale for Encircle and Interlace references the vibrant nuances found in West Africa. It reflects a range of elements that shape life in Côte d’Ivoire, from flamboyant coloured textiles to luscious greenery and infinite waterscapes.

Relate Screen by Patricia Urquiola

Relate Screen is a special version of the sophisticated twill-woven upholstery textile Relate developed for wall-panels, desk screens and similar applications. Patricia Urquiola has created both designs to rethink the concept of melange. While Relate Screen is identical in composition to the textile Relate, it has a more open structure. A faux-uni, it initially appears monochromatic yet, under closer inspection, reveals a diagonal weave which fluidly blends two different coloured yarns.

Acoustic Textile Felt FR by Really

Acoustic Textile Felt FR is an innovative acoustic material ideal for ceilings and wall installations as well as absorbers for acoustic systems. Designed with circularity and durability in mind, Acoustic Textile Felt FR is made from 70% post-production waste from Trevira CS polyester and a newly developed binder. Acoustic Textile Felt FR is a non-toxic flame-retardant, consisting of purely natural components, and the composition allows for complete recycling of the material. Acoustic Textile Felt FR is designed to reveal its circular origins, expressing hints of the many recycled textiles used in the creation process. The rich scale of the fabric fibres, and its various tones, emerges in its subtly structured surface making it a natural part of the finished material. The material comes in two colours: A light tone called Polyester Sand and Polyester Ash in a dark hue, both underlining the distinct aesthetic and history of the textiles.

Kvadrat Shade: two new textiles to the collection

Since its launch, Kvadrat Shade aims to bring window covering solutions and services of unparalleled design and quality to architects worldwide. The versatile solutions can be specified for all windows and offers the best possible solution in terms of functionality, comfort, longevity and climate control. The hardware is designed by the acclaimed designers Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, while the textiles are produced by Kvadrat and crafted in collaboration with a roster of celebrated creatives. This winter Kvadrat are introducing two new textiles to the collection, Niesen by Alfredo Häberli and Silvretta by Louise Sigvardt.

Niesen by Alfredo Häberli is a metallised textile with an intricate woven structure and sophisticated character. The highly technical, precise composition emphasises the outstanding performance of the metallised textile. The construction is engineered to give a particularly perfect view out and the highest level of solar reflectance, offering an excellent balance of visual comfort. As a result, it provides superior control over thermal comfort while reducing the need for cooling systems and the associated energy consumption.

Silvretta by Louise Sigvardt is a woven, yarn-dyed textile made from three differently coloured yarns. Despite the complexity of the metallised textile’s innovative, precise weave, it has a rich and very natural expression. Silvretta has a good view out and delivers control over glare, thereby reducing the need for cooling systems and the associated energy consumption.

Notes to Editors

About Karin AnRijlaarsdam

A graduate of the Academy of Arts in Utrecht, Dutch designer Karin An Rijlaarsdam works across several fields including, interior design, textile design, product design and colour design. She travels extensively across the world and often finds inspiration in her surroundings. Karin An Rijlaarsdam is the Creative Director and founder of CLOUD-9 design; a studio focused on creating sustainable designs with a positive environmental, and or social impact. It is located on the Ivory Coast. She works with a roster of leading design brands across the globe, such as Apple, Beats by Dr Dre, Capellini and Kvadrat.

About Patricia Urquiola

Patricia Urquiola studied architecture and design at the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (Technical University of Madrid) and completed her studies at the Politecnico di Milano where she graduated under the mentorship of Achille Castiglioni. In Spain, she was awarded the Golden Medal for Merits in Art and received the Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic. In 2001 Patricia Urquiola founded her own studio where she specialises in industrial product design, architecture, art direction and strategy consulting. Creative Director of Cassina since 2015, she works with a roster of leading design companies. Patricia Urquiola also gives lectures at leading universities and has work shown in prominent museums and design galleries across the world.

Alfredo Häberli

The expansive portfolio of Argentine-Swiss designer Alfredo Häberli includes industrially produced everyday articles, architectural projects and technically sophisticated furniture. His designs particularly stand out for their simplicity and innovative, intuitive use of colours. A guest lecturer at schools of design and architecture in the US and Europe, Alfredo Häberli has worked with many top design firms. These include Vitra, Moroso, Camper, Luceplan, Thonet and Zanotta. His work has been extensively exhibited.

About Louise Sigvardt

Louise Sigvardt is a Master of Fashion Design who graduated from the acclaimed Kolding Design School in Jutland, Denmark. She works across a number of fields, ranging from textile design to shoes and jewellery. Louise Sigvardt creates designs that, ‘…are based on something recognisable but have details or surprising elements that have a certain edge and a uniqueness.’

About Kvadrat Shade

Kvadrat Shade offers an aesthetically outstanding, versatile roller blind solution, which leverages Kvadrat’s leadership in textile and design innovation. Crafted in collaboration with metallised fabric specialist Verosol, and creative talents, this enables architects to complete any design theme and optimise visual, acoustic or thermal comfort – or a combination of all three. Reflecting a commitment to longevity, simplicity and premium quality materials, the Kvadrat Shade hardware is designed by the internationally-acclaimed Studio Bouroullec, while Kvadrat produces the textiles. Kvadrat Shade completes this offering with end-to-end expert support that includes the advantages of Kvadrat’s global network.

About Kvadrat

Kvadrat was established in Denmark in 1968 and has deep roots in Scandinavia’s world-famous design tradition. A leader in design innovation, Kvadrat produces high-performing, design textiles, rugs, acoustics and window covering solutions for both commercial and residential interiors. Our products reflect our commitment to colour, quality, simplicity and innovation. We consistently push the aesthetic, technological and functional properties of textiles. In doing so, we collaborate with leading designers, architects and artist including: Miriam Bäckström, Raf Simons, Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, Thomas Demand, Olafur Eliasson, Alfredo Häberli, Akira Minagawa, Peter Saville, Roman Signer,as well as Doshi Levien and Patricia Urquiola.