Kvadrat (company)

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Industry Textile design
Founded 1968
Headquarters Ebeltoft, Denmark
Key people
 Anders Byriel, CEO
Website http://www.kvadrat.dk/

Kvadrat is a textile company established in Denmark in 1968 with deep roots in Scandinavia’s design tradition. Kvadrat holds the leading position in Europe’s high-quality textile market [1] and supplies architects, designers and private consumers across the world. Their textiles and textile-related products have been used in some of the world’s most important architectural landmarks.

Kvadrat works to expand the aesthetic, technological and artistic boundaries of the use of textiles, their products reflect commitment to colour, quality, simplicity and innovation.

History

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Poul Byriel, Erling Rasmussen and Percy von Halling-Koch

Kvadrat (Danish for 'square') emerged at the height of 1960's frenzy for all things Scandinavian in design. It was a time of idealism and optimism in Danish design in the light of increasing international success. The company was founded by Poul Byriel and Erling Rasmussen in 1968 in Ebeltoft, Denmark. They worked closely with designers such as Nanna Ditzel, Finn Juhl, Nina Koppel and Gunnar Aagaard Andersen and created a portfolio of furniture textiles. With the force of their modernist heritage behind them these designers were seen as possessing the power to improve everyday life. Kvadrat received official recognition when the company received Møbelprisen 87 for their 'courage and sensibility in modern domestic culture'.

Kvadrat's close collaboration with designers resulted in the creation of classic textiles such as Nanna Ditzel's Hallingdal that has kept a strong presence in private homes, hospitals, airports and trains; most prominently on DSB (Danish National Railways). National critical recognition of Kvadrat's contribution to design came in 1986 when Danish Museum of Art and Design staged the exhibition Kvadrat Textiles through 20 Years.

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Colour wheel

In the early 1980s Kvadrat joined the international design scene when they started to work with Italian-based American designer Ross Littell, however, the company resisted international trends and kept its distinctive Scandinavian style. 'If you want Provence idyll or Hollywood style, you can get it... Just not from us', said Poul Byriel. Kvadrat textiles were used as the bearer of national political symbolism when British architects Foster & Partners were commissioned to design the interior of the Debating Chamber of the Bundestag in the Reichstag. Senior partner and head of design explained that 'the fabric needed to represent a strong image of Parliament', therefore Finn Skødt's cobalt blue Topas textile was used. The Debating Chamber's seating recalls an early statement by Byriel. 'A piece of furniture', he said, isn't merely the piece of furniture on its own and the fabric on its own. The furniture and its upholstery should rise to a higher level.' A principle which is evinced by the longstanding relationships Kvadrat have with its furniture manufacturers, which include the German maker Thonet and the Swiss company Vitra. Foúrther official recognition came in 1996 as Kvadrat was awarded the Danish Design Council Designrådet's Annual Award for the partners' significant contribution to design development.

The direction of Kvadrat passed to the next generation in the 1990s, Poul Byriel's son Anders Byriel took over as the CEO along with Erling Rasmussen's daughter Mette Bendix as the product director. Kvadrat has remained a family business, but one that is surrounded by an extended family of creative partnerships.

Collaborations

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Kvadrat/Raf Simons cushion

Kvadrat strives to continuously push innovation and creativity through a long series of collaborations with external designers and artists. Throughout the years Kvadrat has worked with some of the world’s best designers, architects and artists including Raf Simons, Alfredo Häberli, Peter Saville, Olafur Eliasson, Akira Minagawa, Hella Jongerius, Tord Boontje, Miriam Bäckström and Werner Aisslinger.[2] Kvadrat's creative partners come from very different design backgrounds and often specialize in fields other than textiles such as furniture, jewellery, porcelain, graphic design and architecture.

Kvadrat's design collaborations have resulted in a wide range of products and projects such as the Kvadrat/Raf Simons textile and accessories collection, B&O PLAY speakers, Camper Together with shoe company Camper and Vifa loudspeakers.

Architecture

Kvadrat textiles have been used in intriguing architectural developments such as The Gherkin in London, Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, The Reichstag Berlin, Guggenheim Bilbao in Spain, the Copenhagen Opera House in Denmark, Foster & Partners studio in London, Yves St. Laurent in Paris and the Oslo Opera House in Norway.[3]

Art projects

Kvadrat has actively engaged in projects with artists, museums, galleries and designers. Such projects include:[4]

Showrooms

Kvadrat's major international showrooms are located in

Awards

References

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