artek + kvadrat collaborate with kuehn malvezzi for design miami/ basel collectors lounge

artek + kvadrat collaborate with kuehn malvezzi for design miami/ basel collectors lounge

the collectors lounge at design miami/ basel 2016 is a collaboration between artek and kvadrat, who commissioned berlin-based keuhn malvezzi architects to create the overall scheme. the finnish furniture company and danish textile manufacturer chose the firm because of its strong affinity to the arts, along with its vast museum and exhibition design experience. 

the collectors lounge features artek’s ‘kiki’ collection upholstered in fabrics by raf simons/kvadrat

the space that keuhn malvezzi has conceived highlights artek’s ‘kiki’ collection that was originally designed by finnish master ilmari tapiovaara in 1960, but which has now been upholstered in contemporary fabrics by raf simons for kvadrat. the blended wool textiles—the third collection between kvadrat and the belgian fashion designer—explore the stripe in varying degrees of graphic boldness, drawing influences from modernist furniture, pop and contemporary art, fashion textiles and music.

the fabric by raf simons for kvadrat that upholsters the furniture explores the stripe in varying degrees of boldness

the 2016 design miami/ basel collectors lounge is a landscape of inverted spaces or solid rooms, in which cubic volumes form a striking environment of different color and texture combinations for ilmari tapiovaara’s modernist furniture. variations of kvadrat/raf simons’ brightly coloured textiles will form a strong graphic presence on horizontal and vertical surfaces, as well as on ‘kiki’ sofas and lounge chairs—at times in contrast, at times homogeneous.
the lounge is furnished with artek’s ‘kiki’ collection by finnish master ilmari tapiovaara (1960)

with the support of two like-minded companies that are both deeply rooted in the nordic design tradition, keuhn malvezzi’s impactful setting for the collectors lounge will provide a space for relaxation and respite at the centre of the global design forum, while celebrating the merging of design, art and architecture.
‘kiki’ bench sporting subtle black striped textiles designed by raf simons for kvadrat
3/4 view of the ‘kiki’ bench

back view of the ‘kiki’ bench

the graphic boldness of raf simons’ stripes in black and white

the graphic boldness of raf simons’ stripes in beige and yellow
‘kiki’ chair