PART FIVE
COLOUR, QUALITY & DESIGN
Humanistic +
Holistic Series
Kvadrat Maharam’s collection reflects our commitment to colour, quality and innovation. We strive to develop products that enrich people's lives.
Our approach to product design and development is defined by collaboration, curiosity and knowledge sharing, with a responsibility and consideration for the environment.
We consistently push the aesthetic, as well as the technological and functional properties of textiles. In doing so, we collaborate with leading designers, architects and artists who work closely with our own textile designers and engineers to create collections that continue to push the boundaries of textile design.
Material innovation is fundamental to our textile engineering development and design. Balancing an appreciation of history with innovative interdisciplinary exploration, Kvadrat Maharam continues to evolve new ideas for the usage of materials and techniques in design and manufacturing.
We value colour as highly as we do collaboration. Reflecting this, we continuously examine our approach to colour, pushing the boundaries and leading the way forward in the world of textiles and design.
We adopt a holistic approach in all we do; offering solutions that help to create ideal interior environments for people to work, live, learn and relax in. These solutions serve to address human sensory needs by resolving acoustic issues and promoting a sense of well-being through tactility and colour. This in turn provides inspiration and influences how spaces are used.
Thank you for being part of the Holistic + Humanistic Series. We have enjoyed sharing the series with you and hope you have gained an understanding of how our collections can help to create better interior environments that people want to be in.
Photo Credits
Raf Simons project e15 design, www.e15.com @e15furniture
Clouds acoustic solution for wall and ceiling, I DO ART Agency
Atomic Beer Sydney, photographer Anson Smart
Bosch AS Headquarters, photographer Zooey Braun
Design Process by Doshi Levien at Kvadrat, I DO ART Agency
Basecamp Lyngby
Broken Twill Weave colour wheel, photographer Casper Sejersen
’Take My Breath Away’ by Danh Vo, photographer Nick Ash
Kvadrat Headquarters, photographer Ed Reeve
Kvadrat/Raf Simons Ria upholstery textile
Cleveland Clinic, photographer Mark Wayner
Amore Pacific, photographer Raphael Olivier
Modular Circle House, D4, Studio Pneuma, photographer Claus Troelsgaard
Kvadrat Storylines collection
Stockholm Furniture Fair, photographer Brian Buchard
Kvadrat Innvik mill factory, photographer Lars Petter Pettersen
Mizmaze designed by Sylvain Willenz
Kinfolk Office Copenhagen
Unscripted by Sarah Illenberger, photographer Robert Rieger
Interior campaign for Storylines by Kvadrat, photographer Anders Schonneman
Fritz Hansen Swan Chair, photographer Benjamin Lund
Sancal Void Matter by Note Design Studio, photographer
Mizmaze designed Sylvain Willenz, photographer Sylvain Willenz
Cassina Utrecht Chair, photographer Benjamin Lund
GUBI Pacha Lounge Chair, photographer Benjamin Lund
Pilotis by Doshi Levien, photographer Annabel Elston
Stockholm fair, photographer Dana Ozollapa
Wu Tsang Anthem Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, photographer David Heald
Kvadrat Raf Simons, photographer Casper Sejersen
PART FOUR
SUSTAINABILITY
Humanistic +
Holistic Series
The way we work, the materials we use, and the environment we do this in, is where our sustainable and social responsibility begins.
As the Australian subsidiary of Denmark-based Kvadrat & USA-based Maharam, we are dedicated to minimising our environmental impact. Environmental awareness and sustainability have been core parts of the design philosophy since Kvadrat’s founding in 1968. Maharam is committed to the implementation of progressive sustainability and environmental practices as a matter of corporate and design philosophy.
Through constant examination and development of our business practices and our approach to product development, Kvadrat Maharam continues to deepen its understanding of the impact our collections have on the environment.
As a company, we have defined specific goals to reduce these effects and move towards a more sustainable future for the textile industry.
We focus on our manufacturing practices, local & global initiatives, and the afterlife of our collections, to achieve a comprehensive, sustainable approach. Everything we do, from the sourcing of raw materials, through to design & production, is influenced by innovation and an investment in circularity.
Designing with pure compositions and without harmful chemicals enables the recyclability of our products. We consider whether the biodegradability of our collections at their end of use is the best outcome or whether re-using, upcycling or recycling a product is a better way to respect the earth’s resources.
We reflect upon impacts when investigating production methods, and use the circular economy prioritisation list when working with waste as a resource.
The prioritisation list encompasses four points.
We believe in the potential of circularity to enable positive change, and seek to lead this transformation towards a circular economy. Working with recycled materials such as recycled wool and polyester plays an important role in reducing our impact at the raw material extraction stage and ultimately reducing our carbon impact overall.
Over 200 textiles in the Kvadrat Maharam collection are made using recycled content. This content varies across collections and consists of wool, cotton, post-industrial and post-consumer recycled polyester as well as recycled glass.
The use of recycled wool contributes greatly to a reduced energy consumption and environmental footprint. Kvadrat Maharam utilises recycled wool from both the fashion industry and our own woollen waste that is generated when woollen fibres are spun into yarn. The wool is then used in the production of a growing number of textiles in our collection.
Rather than dyeing new wool, garment fibres from wool clothing are shredded, sorted and cleaned before being spun back into yarn to create new, upholstery textiles. This practice reduces energy consumption and the environmental footprint, as the need to farm & transport sheep as well as scour and dye the wool, is eliminated from the production process. In 2020, more than 8300 kilograms of our own woollen waste fibres were recycled and used to create new textiles.
The use of recycled plastic in our textile collections also continues to rise.
Revive, an upholstery textile from Kvadrat, uses thirty plastic bottles to make one metre of fabric; and in 2018, production of this textile accounted for a reduction in plastic waste by 2.3 million plastic bottles.
The high-performance woven textile ranges in the M collection from Maharam, have expanded to over 400 colours across eight ranges with its recycled compositions between 50 – 100%.
Kvadrat Maharam utilises innovative technology and production methods that allow us to offer more sustainable textiles which are free from perfluorinated compounds (PFCs). Kvadrat’s outdoor textile collections utilise advanced water repellent technology based on fat modified compounds, creating effective sustainable textile solutions, free from fluorocarbon.
In keeping with our belief that longevity is at the core of sustainable design, most of our textiles carry a 10-year warranty. In using only the best raw materials, our textiles are made to last with the least possible impact on the environment.
In 2020 Kvadrat initiated the Carbon Emission Project, involving an impact screening across our entire supply chain and its activities. To ensure adherence to the science as well as our commitment to a meaningful contribution, we are following the Greenhouse Gas Protocol’s emission accounting standards, scope and definitions, along with the methods of the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
In 2021, we set an ambitious carbon reduction target approved by SBTi. Covering our HQ in Denmark and our main office and warehouse in Germany with 100% renewable energy, is only the beginning. Our initiatives will reach many more Kvadrat locations and tackle different sources of carbon emissions across our entire value chain.
Kvadrat joined the UN Global Compact in 2013 and aims to move the agenda forward, with regard to performance relating to human rights, labour rights, the environment and anti-corruption. Progress in line with the ten principles of the compact is reported annually.
Our collections are certified in accordance with a number of third-party organisations:
Greenguard
Greenguard Gold
EU Ecolabel
REACH
Health Product Declaration (HPD)
Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)
The standards we adhere to provide us with a framework for continually reducing the environmental footprint of our production and internal processes, as well as assisting us in driving the efficient and responsible use of raw materials. This sets the direction for a secure and healthy environment for all employees, as well as guiding a proactive approach to responsible business conduct and compliance.
Photo Credits
Glacial Expectations, photographer Annabel Elston
Remix 3 with Giulio Ridolfo, photographer Howard Sooley
Maharam Love That Design, photographer Nick Ballón
Kvadrat Showroom, photographer Gilbert McCarragher
Patio 2 BREA collection, photographer Moritz Peters
Curtains from Kinnasand's MONOTYPES collection 2020
Wooltex Huddersfield, photographer Helene Seitz-Madsen
Revive 1 colour wheel image, photographer Casper Sejersen
Wooltex Kvadrat, photographer Joël Tettamanti
Kvadrat Warehouse, photographer Alastair Wiper
Wooltex, photographer Lea Kargaard
Kvadrat Febrik, photographer Casper Sejersen
Waterborn by Aggebo & Henriksen, photographer Casper Sejersen
Knit! In use, photographer Tomas Friml
Re-wool by Margrethe Odgaard, photographer Casper Sejersen
Molly 2 by Åsa Pärson, photographer Casper Sejersen
Atrium Outdoor, photographer Casper Sejersen
Patio by Karina Nielsen Rios, photographer Casper Sejersen
Wooltex, photographer Alastair Wiper
Technicolour by Peter Saville, film by Eva Weber
PART THREE
Humanistic +
Holistic Series
THE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD ACOUSTICS
In the buildings we use, whether they are for working, learning,
listening, living, or healing, architecture, along with the nature of
materials and finishes, influence how we experience sound inside those spaces.
By definition, acoustics are the properties or qualities of a room or
building that determine how sound is transmitted within it.
Good acoustics significantly reduce adrenaline, stress levels, error rates and
conversational distractions. Their efficacy promotes productivity and well-being,
enhancing our overall experience of interior spaces.
Good acoustics can also have a significant impact on task motivation;
improving the ability to focus on tasks requiring a high level of concentration.
Good acoustics can improve
Task motivation by over 60%
Ability to focus on tasks by more than 40%
Mental arithmetic performance by 20%
Performance during concentration demanding tasks by up to 50%
Good acoustics can reduce
Adrenaline levels by 30%
Stress levels by 27%
Conversational distractions by more than 50%
Error rates by 10%
Kvadrat Maharam offers an extensive collection of products that
improve acoustic performance within interior spaces. They Include:
Kvadrat Soft Cells is a solution-driven, customisable acoustic panelling system,
suitable for use on ceilings and walls. It is a highly flexible system, achieving up to Class A sound absorption.
The system incorporates a patented tensioning mechanism, which ensures the textile
surface is unaffected by changes in temperature and humidity.
Soft Cells panels are designed for optimal sustainability. The frame is made with 44% recycled
aluminium and the acoustic core is made from 38% recycled mineral wool.
Soft Cells panels can be reupholstered, and the components can be reused.
Curtains can also provide an acoustic solution within interiors, by reducing reverberation time & amplified noise.
Rugs affect sound attenuation, dampening sound by reducing the energy of sound waves.
The way in which acoustics are addressed in any interior environment,
has a great impact on how the space is used and the way humans feel and interact within it.
When properly considered, effective acoustic treatments, together with colour and tactility,
can have a profound impact on the human experience.
Photo Credits
Amore Pacific, photographer Raphael Olivier
Restaurant Under, photographer Ivar Kvaal
Wire Suspension Installation, photographer Casper Sejersen
Kvadrat Showroom, photographer Gilbert McCarragher
Kvadrat Headquarters, photographer Ed Reeve
Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, photographer Mark Wayner
Kvadrat Showroom, photographer Oliver Heinemann
Aedas Singapore, photographer Raphael Olivier
PART TWO
Humanistic +
Holistic Series
WELL-BEING THROUGH COLOUR & TACTILITY
Textiles create countless effects within an interior environment – they can induce
feelings of comfort, warmth, relaxation and happiness to enrich our experiences.
Textiles introduce colour and tactility to a space, and both elements can enhance a feeling of well-being at work.
Kvadrat Maharam’s collections reflect our commitment to colour, quality, simplicity, and innovation.
Kvadrat Maharam continues to push the boundaries of colour and textile design
through ongoing work and collaboration with the world’s leading designers.
“Colour is fundamental to our experience of the world around us.”
Kassia St Clair, The Secret Lives of Colour.
When used in conjunction with other finishes, textiles shape how a space is used and its atmosphere. In architecture and interiors, colour and texture can provide cues, show us how to use a space, set moods, create impact, define zones and identify different areas of use.
Tactility is intrinsic to human nature. Touch is one of the first senses a human experiences and plays a vital role in our daily lives. Research shows that even fleeting forms of physical contact may have a powerful impact on our emotional and social functioning.
Kvadrat Maharam offers textile solutions that help designers and architects shape spaces,
create experiences and promote well-being by bringing two things
humans associate with and respond to every day – colour and tactility.
This can be done through upholstery, curtains and rugs.
Curtains can play a central role in defining the experience of a space.
On an aesthetic level, they introduce colour, form and texture.
On a functional level, they help to control light, views, temperature, and sound.
Acoustically, they reduce noise level and reverberation time to create a sense of calm
and comfort for those spending time within an interior space. This, in turn, promotes fluid
and effective communication and collaboration.
Similarly, by their nature, rugs affect sound attenuation, effectively damping sound by reducing
the energy of sound waves. They are also a simple way to introduce colour and tactility to an interior.
We often associate rugs with home and the comfort and warmth we experience inside our living spaces.
By including them in a workplace environment, they help to create a connection
between home and work, improving the quality of the space and its emotional experience.
Photo Credits
Kvadrat Showroom, photographer Gilbert McCarragher
Steelotto Mello Sofa, photographer Tom Ross
Europlaza Offices Amsterdam, photographer Matthijs Van Roon
Kvadrat Sisu by Nanna Ditzel reinterpreted by Danh Vo, photographer by Nick Ash
Sony Entertainment and Sony Music Publishing Headquarters Berlin, photographer Stefan Lucks
Take My Breath Away by Danh Vo, photographer by Nick Ash
London Design Festival, photographer Mark Cocksedge
Kvadrat Headquarters, photographer Ed Reeve
Royal Library Aarhus, photographer Tor Birk Trads
Technicolour by Peter Saville Salone Del Mobile installation, photographer Matteo Girola
PART ONE
Humanistic +
Holistic Series
OUR APPROACH
The way that we work and live has changed profoundly in the last 18 months. Hybrid working
is here to stay, and the way we use the office and our homes for working and living has shifted.
Both spaces are no longer dedicated to one purpose, and the need to
consider and address our human interaction and sensory needs is greater than ever before.
As time spent in the office will be reserved for key collaboration meetings, colleague
engagement, learning and focused tasks, it is even more important than ever that the workplace
allows people to feel comfortable, motivated & engaged. Creating environments that focus
on the human experience and allow for optimum productivity, focus and collaboration
while fostering creativity, will be crucial.
We see that the office or workplace has three main functions:
Focus & Productivity
Collaboration & Learning
Socialising
These three functions need to be supported by high quality, sustainable spaces that are comfortable, welcoming, motivating and healthy. Coming together, face to face, is fundamental to our psychology. It is something humans need and want to do. The workplace should optimise productivity by bringing people together to strengthen the social and collaborative components of the business, and in turn, build a company’s culture.
We have developed an understanding of what is needed in
interior spaces in response to three human needs:
Well-being
The state of being comfortable, healthy & happy.
Tactility + Colour
Tactility, being of, relating to, or having a sense of touch. Colour, a characteristic of visual perception.
Sustainability
Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations.
With this in mind, we believe that the design of optimal interior environments
must incorporate three out of the five human senses:
Hearing – acoustics
Vision – colour
Touch – texture
In order to feel comfortable within a space, good acoustics along
with the use of colour and tactility, all play an important part.
Kvadrat Maharam offers many solutions that contribute to the creation of spaces that are comfortable, inspiring and uplifting. These solutions address human sensory needs by resolving acoustic issues and promoting a sense of well-being through tactility and colour.
The Humanistic + Holistic Series will explore these themes; we’ve broken them into four parts over the series.
PART ONE: Our Approach.
PART TWO: Well-being Through Colour and Tactility.
PART THREE: The Importance of Good Acoustics.
PART FOUR: Sustainability.
We look forward to sharing the series with you and we hope you enjoy learning more about our approach and the solutions we offer for interior environments.
Photo Credits
Modular Circular House, photographer Claus Troelsgaard
Kvadrat Showroom, photographer Gilbert McCarragher
Sony Entertainment and Sony Music Publishing Headquarters Berlin, photographer Stefan Lucks
Karimoku Case Study by Norm Architects, photographer Jonas Bjerre Poulsen
Technicolour by Peter Saville Salone Del Mobile installation, photographer Matteo Girola
Kvadrat Showroom, photographer Ed Reeve
Kvadrat Headquarters, photographer Ed Reeve
Relax Kinfolk Office Copenhagen, photographer Relax Kinfolk Office