It is interesting how design trends are quickly mirrored across
the world.
A few years’ ago, for example, lifestyle and interior design
magazines were all about plain white walls, hard surfaces and minimal
furniture.
Today, heavier materials are being revitalised and darker colours
are being used in more and more projects.
The theme explores how this trend has permeated through every
aspect of architecture and design. Included in the theme is an interview with
Danish designer and trend researcher Rikke Skytte.
She comments: “Following the financial crisis, we are beginning to
look to warmer climes for inspiration and we’ve started to use dark, burned
colours indoors such as black, dark red-brown and dusty grey. You know that
when people start investing in dark sofas, ceilings and kitchens - i.e.
elements which are seldom replaced - then it’s a clear sign that the trend has
taken hold.”
In a short space of time, Troldtekt has seen a steep rise in the
specification of its wood wool acoustic panels in dark greys and black. From
residential houses in Denmark, hotel and resorts in Macau, music venues in the
Netherlands to London’s new iconic Design Museum, black acoustic ceilings have
been used to add to the ambience and enhance atmospheric design.
In the Design Museum, John Pawson and Dutch architects OMA have
extensively used darker colours for the wood wool panelling culminating in
black at Parabola, the stunning restaurant at the top of the Museum. These
high-performance panels absorb the sounds of noisy dining and chatter together
with the echoes and reverberations caused by the hard surfaces and large glazed
areas. Furnished with blue stained ash tables and chairs, the restaurant offers
views of Holland Park and into the central atrium topped by the dramatic
exposed roof structure.
Troldtekt natural wood wool acoustic panels are widely specified
throughout the UK and Europe. Available in various sizes and in four grades
from extreme fine to coarse, they can be left untreated or painted in virtually
any RAL colour. They offer high sound absorption, durability and natural
breathability coupled with sustainability as documented by Cradle to Cradle
certification at silver level.
