Experts in the history of window fittings (yes, they exist) claim that the first appearance of blinds dates back to as early as the Ancient Egyptians, who would use wet swathes of cloth to keep out dirt and sun. Early Chinese civilisations were found to have used thin stalks of bamboo, while the slatted form of a Venetian blind actually originated in Persia around 1100 AD.
These days, we’re a lot more sophisticated when it comes to shielding our interiors. Especially now that Kvadrat has joined the game and elevated the ubiquitous household fitting to a ‘best in class’ solution.
Launching today in Copenhagen, Kvadrat Shade is the latest offering from the Danish company, which has teamed up with window covering specialist, Coulisse to make it possible. The project has seen the Bouroullec brothers create hardware for a range of typically minimal textile blinds, rooted in a design concept that plays on colour, transparency and most of all, flexibility.
‘It’s always a pleasure to play with windows, light and colours,’ says Erwan Bouroullec, who worked alongside his brother, Ronan, on the project. ‘Unlike typical alternatives, the Kvadrat Shade solutions opens intriguing possibilities to elevate interiors by playing with tones, transparencies and textures. Most of the time, the blinds are just solving problems. They’re technically driven, but they’ve forgotten the human and they have no taste. We’re trying our best to make sure there are enough tones to fit the atmosphere of the room'.
With quality in mind, materials used for the mechanisms are premium while also being PVC-free, in compliance with standards on harmful chemicals. Kvadrat’s high-performance textiles evolve to include an option layered with ultra-fine aluminimum, which is engineered to reduce heating and cooling costs in the home or office.
When it came to designing the hardware (the rolling systems, pulleys and cassettes), the Bouroullec duo had modularity at the forefront of their minds, resulting in a range of ‘meticulously engineered’ components, available in a range of finishes, that offer architects flexibility to the nth degree. Whatsmore, the blinds can be automatically controlled, allowing building management systems to be timed to coincide with the changing daylight.
We focused on creating a complete offering that makes everything possible for architects
Erwan
Christian Baum Blaakær, managing director of Kvadrat Shade adds, ‘it meets the longstanding need for an aesthetically outstanding, officient and versatile roller blind solution, which provides the freedom to create compelling interior themes, where all textiles, textures and colours are in perfect harmony,’
INFORMATION
-
All-In is the Paris-based label making full-force fashion for main character dressingPart of our monthly Uprising series, Wallpaper* meets Benjamin Barron and Bror August Vestbø of All-In, the LVMH Prize-nominated label which bases its collections on a riotous cast of characters – real and imagined
-
Maserati joins forces with Giorgetti for a turbo-charged relationshipAnnouncing their marriage during Milan Design Week, the brands unveiled a collection, a car and a long term commitment
-
Through an innovative new training program, Poltrona Frau aims to safeguard Italian craftThe heritage furniture manufacturer is training a new generation of leather artisans
-
Erwan Bouroullec on all things chairs, including his ‘dynamic’ new design for VitraUpon the launch of his new ‘Mynt’ office chair for Vitra, Bouroullec tells us about the design that proposes a ‘new way of sitting’ and will keep you moving 'like a cat’
-
Six Montana Furniture classics get a colourful makeover by KimpopDanish designers and TV personalities Kimpop give Montana Furniture's classic designs a colourful new look: ‘People will either love it or find it outside their comfort zone’
-
Danish Architecture Center celebrates trailblazing 20th-century designer Nanna DitzelA new exhibition dedicated to the groundbreaking work of Nanna Ditzel opens in Copenhagen
-
Hot metal: why shiny tableware is a holy grail of hostingFrom a silvery modernist coffee pot to a perfectly poised stainless-steel candleholder, bring glimmer to dinner with shiny metal tableware
-
The Bouroullecs’ ‘Belleville’ chair reimagined 53 ways for La Source Garouste auctionThe ‘Belleville’ chair is spliced, diced and furrified for La Source Garouste’s charity auction, by designers from Christian Louboutin to Constance Guisset
-
Giulio Ridolfo’s latest colour work for Kvadrat is ’like a piece of jazz that you can play in different ways’Orgatec 2022: Kvadrat expands the Steelcut collection by Giulio Ridolfo, a series of vibrant blends of colours demonstrating the colour maestro’s eclectic sensibility
-
Fritz Hansen marks its 150th anniversary with new collectionFritz Hansen’s ‘Anniversary Collection’ features reissues of iconic pieces by Arne Jacobsen and Poul Kjærholm, presented during 3 Days of Design 2022 (15 – 17 June)
-
Best of Danish design (and more) from Copenhagen’s 3 Days of DesignA selection of the best new spaces and furniture launches from Danish and international brands and designers, shown at Copenhagen’s 3 Days of Design 2021
