Haworth Enters the Art and Design World with the Innovative Clouds Collection (with Video)

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed)
Jan 7th 2011 at 9:31AM

Haworth, the world's leading manufacturer of high-end organic office furniture and work spaces, has entered the art and design world with the launch of an innovative, interlocking fabric tile that can be used as a sculptural art installation. Called "Clouds", the tiles add design and color to any space and make an ideal replacement or supplement to more traditional forms of art.

Clouds is the result of a collaboration between Kvadrat (a Danish textile manufacturer) and the French-born Bouroullec brothers---Ronan and Erwan, who are leaders in industrial design. Kvadrat's textiles are used worldwide by renowned architects, designers and furniture manufacturers for upholstery and curtains.

The soft-sided tiles are easy to assemble as they are attached to each other by special rubber bands. They are simple to mount, move, change and maintain and can be rearranged as often as you'd like to bring new ideas into a space. The tiles can be hung from a wall or ceiling, placed on the floor, or attached to railings and stairs, adding color, texture, and warmth, in addition to providing sound insulation.

Gallery: Clouds by Haworth

"It is a design solution that is both soft and welcoming," says designer Ronan Bouroullec. "We aimed to design a solution that was so simple and well thought out that it didn't require expensive workmen, but could be set up by everyday people without having to be polished, adjusted or given additional treatment. This makes it possible to create anything from a wall to a specific figure and expression to fit ones taste. Clouds provides the opportunity for personalized design where an individual is the architect, designer and workman."

Indeed, the tiles are extremely versatile and can be used as an art installation, wall decoration, or as a room divider. The opportunities for application as well as self-expression are infinite, according to Bouroullec.

They bring a contemporary feel to any room and are especially well-suited for modern buildings made from steel, glass and stone. "By banishing traditional 'rectangular" settlements, Clouds coat architecture in a fluid, yet dynamic way---bringing surprisingly colorful fabric windows," the designer explains.

The tiles come in a variety of fabric types, including Divina-Wool and Tempo-Trevira CS Polyester. The tiles, which are reversible come in 16 different colors in eight prescribed multi-color combinations ranging from light blue/dark blue, black/white, lime green/slate blue, burgundy/deep purple, zesty orange/burgundy and light brown/dark brown.

Clouds are original and versatile for residential purposes, but are available through Haworth for commercial use and are ideal for office spaces, reception areas (as seen above), boardrooms, restaurants, hotels and building lobbies. They are sold in packs of eight or 24 pieces. The module system enables maximum flexibility and variation. A box containing eight pieces is priced from $780 to $875 and a 24 piece box ranges in price from $1965 to $2185.

Clouds are available for purchase through Haworth's contact furniture dealers in North America. For more information, visit Haworth's website or call (800) 344-2600 or (616) 393-3000.