Kvadrat was established in Denmark in 1968 and has deep roots in Scandinavia’s world-famous design tradition. Their products reflect their commitment to colour, quality, simplicity and innovation, whilst constantly pushing the aesthetic, technological and functional properties of textiles. During this process, they collaborate with leading designers, architects and artists, including globally recognised names, such as Patricia Urquiola, Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, Margrethe Odgaard, Alfredo Häberli, Doshi Levien, Giulio Ridolfo, Peter Saville, Pipilotti Rist, Thomas Demand and Olafur Eliasson.
About Kvadrat
The brand strives to constantly push the boundaries of high-quality textiles through design and innovation.
“We are pioneers, always in motion, and open-minded towards design and cooperation. Our approach to product development is defined by collaboration, curiosity, knowledge sharing, responsibility and consideration for the environment.”
Kvadrat Acoustics
They can provide solutions to any acoustic challenge and for any design scheme by uniting best-in-class longevity and expert service, covering every stage, from initial technical support to installation. Kvadrat Acoustics acoustic solutions set the benchmark for sustainability, flexibility and durability and are used in numerous visionary architectural developments all over the world. Its unique design ecosystem is combined with a 10 year warranty, offering a seamless integration into any space, assisted by a personalised support.
A sustainable ethos
From the beginning, respect for the environment has been a defining pillar at Kvadrat. In 1997 the brand became ISO 14001 certified, and since then has measured and assessed the environmental impact of all their products.
“We use the latest technology to enhance the quality of our products and reduce their environmental impact.” The majority of their woollen products have an EU Ecolabel (EU flower), meaning their sustainable profile is best-in-class. The brand also owns its own weaving mills in England, Norway and the Netherlands, giving them tighter control on emissions, waste and resource use throughout the whole production and design process. Their deep rooted belief upholds longevity at the core of sustainable design. “Our textiles are made using only the best raw materials so that they are made to last and have the least possible impact on the environment.”
Plans for growth in the region (Middle East and Africa)
Kvadrat’s subsidiary in Dubai was established in 2008. With a showroom in Jumeirah Lakes Towers, and a dedicated team at hand to work with designers and architects to shape architectural spaces, the brand is able to assist designers and furniture manufacturers produce and craft exquisite furniture, and bring tactility and colour into any project.
“We are excited about the potential In Middle East for Kvadrat, and we look forward to contributing to the design community by increasing awareness on the processes behind creating beautiful and healthy interiors with textiles and acoustic solutions that enrich people’s lives,” says Gitte Nyhus Holm, Regional Director Middle East
“We are excited about the potential In Middle East for Kvadrat, and we look forward to contributing to the design community by increasing awareness on the processes behind creating beautiful and healthy interiors with textiles and acoustic solutions that enrich people’s lives”
– Gitte Nyhus Holm, Regional Director Middle East, Kvadrat
Plans for the Future
Kvadrat is looking forward to several exciting launches.
A celebrated collaboration between Kvadrat and Peter Saville opened a sensorial, thoughtful new chapter with the launch of Technicolour – a craft-orientated, sculptural collection that visually and haptically translates the industrial processes in textile production. The name relates to the spectrum of bold hues commonly used to mark flocks of sheep that are spectacularly incongruous in pastoral settings. Controlled accidents and traces of the reality of nature are expressed throughout Technicolour, which exemplifies Peter Saville’s eye for articulate colour compositions. The collection has its roots in the curiosity he’s always had about the random industrial-coloured markings on sheep, which he first observed on family holidays in Wales. Peter has likened this to ‘rural graffiti’.
Technicolour comprises upholstery, three rugs and two curtains. The upholstery and rugs are meticulously crafted from the finest wool, which is naturally coarse, and references the character of stock-marked fleeces through seemingly haphazard colours and rich tactility. At the opposite end of the haptic scale, the curtains in the collection are woven from smooth, subtly iridescent Trevira CS.
This fall, Kvadrat explored the intersection of timeless Danish design, contemporary culture, and storytelling with the launch of the vibrant upholstery textile, Sisu. Originally designed in the 1960s by the visionary designer, Nanna Ditzel, the textile is curated with a contemporary eye by the artist Danh Vo who discovered it in the Kvadrat archives and chose it for his exhibition, ‘Take My Breath Away’, at Denmark’s National Gallery (SMK). Sisu represents an anthology of stories. It speaks of Kvadrat’s history and the celebrated collaboration with Nanna Ditzel that still echoes through the company – Danh Vo’s mission to discover more about the pioneering designer and the relationship between textiles and furniture, and the often hidden yet definitive role women have played in the textile industry. It also showcases the enduring relevance of classic Danish design.
