Dezeen Magazine

Bouroullec brothers create the "Swiss watch" of roller blinds for Kvadrat

French designers Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec have put their spin on the humble roller blind using textiles the duo created for Danish brand Kvadrat (+ movie).

Roller blinds by Bouroullec for Kvadrat

Launched in Berlin yesterday, the Kvadrat Roller Blinds are the Bouroullec brothers' take on the simple window-shading device.

The project follows the Ready Made Curtain do-it-yourself kit that the Bouroullecs designed for the brand in 2013.

Roller blinds by Bouroullec for Kvadrat

"The roller blind was a typology we couldn't challenge," said Erwan. "Ronan and I simply wanted to make a perfect construction – to treat this everyday object with decency and respect."

"It is refined, like a Swiss watch," he added.

Roller blinds by Bouroullec for Kvadrat

The duo created a trio of monochrome textiles for Kvadrat: Stratus, Nimbus and Cumulus. All three are designed to help control light levels, glare and temperature, as well as the ambience of a space.

"We did a lot of research into the textiles and their relationship with light," Erwan said. "The textiles not only introduce positivity and colour; they can change the ambience of a space in an instance."

Roller blinds by Bouroullec for Kvadrat

The material is stored in an anodised aluminium case. The roll is half exposed along its full length, while the top and sides are protected.

A looped cord of metal beads that hangs to one side of the blind can be used for opening and closing. Options for switch-operated and remote-controlled versions are also available.

Roller blinds by Bouroullec for Kvadrat

The blinds can be installed against both vertical and horizontal surfaces, fixing so no screws or hinges are visible.

Frames and textiles come in a variety of sizes and colours. The Kvadrat Roller Blinds are available in Germany, Belguim, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Denmark for contract use.

Roller blinds by Bouroullec for Kvadrat

The Bouroullecs have worked with Kvadrat on a number of occasions. The duo launched their first fabric collection for the brand in 2014, and have previously used its textiles to create a stripy installation at London's V&A museum and a modular room-dividing system.