A pair that need no florid introduction, this year’s Wallpaper* Designer(s) of the Year, Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, are yet again transmuting another everyday object in line with their elegant ethos. Teaming up with textile stalwarts Kvadrat for the new venture, they present their version of functional roller blinds.
Having previously created dynamic pieces using the Danish brand’s wares – including the interactive and playful ‘Textile Field’ installation, shown in 2011 at the V&A – the design sees the duo shift in a more modest industrial direction.
The Parisian designers have here combined the technological know-how that shone in last year's Samsung Serif TV with the elegant 'Stratus', 'Nimbus' and 'Cumulus' fabrics they designed for the Danish textiles behemoth (and specially for the project).
‘We did a lot of research into the textiles and their relationship with light,’ the brothers explain. Controlled with either a minimalist remote control or a more classic stainless steel chain, the blinds variously absorb and reflect light to prevent glare, as well as providing thermal insulation.
When it comes to the design, the duo stay true to form: 'The roller blind was a typology we couldn’t challenge,’ Erwan says. ‘Ronan and I simply wanted to make a perfect construction.’ The result is meticulous; choosing anodised or powder coated aluminium for the cassette, together with the subtle hued materials, they present cleanly crafted frames in a variety of sizes.
Perfecting a traditional, day-to-day form imbued with a little poetic Bouroullec magic, they describe the final product as being 'refined like a Swiss watch’.
The temperature- and light-controlled blinds are constructed with fabrics the brothers designed specially for the Danish textile brand – entitled ’Stratus’, ’Nimbus’ and ’Cumulus’
’We did a lot of research into the textiles and their relationship with light,’ the Bouroullecs explain
Controlled with either a minimalist remote control or a more classic stainless steel chain, the blinds variously absorb and reflect light to prevent glare, as well as providing thermal insulation
The design is meticulous; choosing anodised or powder coated aluminium for the cassette, together with the subtle hued materials, the collaboration presents cleanly crafted frames in a variety of sizes
INFORMATION
The Bouroullec-designed roller blinds will be exclusively available in Germany, Benelux and Denmark for contract use
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