Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec and Kvadrat's roller blinds

Kvadrat and the Bouroullecs collaborate on new blind design

Parisian design duo Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec have collaborated with Kvadrat on a new roller blind series

(Image credit: Kvarat, Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec)

last updated 31 October 2022

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’.

Danish textile brand

The temperature- and light-controlled blinds are constructed with fabrics the brothers designed specially for the Danish textile brand – entitled ’Stratus’, ’Nimbus’ and ’Cumulus’

(Image credit: Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec)

New blind designs of Textiles. — ’We did a lot of research into the textiles and their relationship with light,’ the Bouroullecs explain

Minimalist remote control or a more classic stainless steel chain — 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

Frames in a variety of sizes — 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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Sujata Burman is a writer and editor based in London, specialising in design and culture. She was Digital Design Editor at Wallpaper* before moving to her current role of Head of Content at London Design Festival and London Design Biennale where she is expanding the content offering of the showcases. Over the past decade, Sujata has written for global design and culture publications, and has been a speaker, moderator and judge for institutions and brands including RIBA, D&AD, Design Museum and Design Miami/. In 2019, she co-authored her first book, An Opinionated Guide to London Architecture, published by Hoxton Mini Press, which was driven by her aim to make the fields of design and architecture accessible to wider audiences.

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