johan kauppi composes subtle floor screens for glimakra of sweden

stockholm furniture fair 2017: interior architect and designer johan kauppi completes his latest collection of subtle floor screen for manufacturing company glimakra of sweden. set to be exhibited at the stockholm furniture fair from the 7th to 11th of february 2017, the series can be furnished in dynamic groups as well as repeated in rows, or individually as focal points.

a formation with three legs
all images © johan kauppi

johan kauppi‘s subtle floor screens exhibited at the stockholm furniture fair come with extra thick frames, giving them particularly high absorbency, and are based on glimakra of sweden‘s strongest and most effective screen system ‘limbus SUB’ — with a thickness of at least 80 mm. ‘at first, when discussing the brief with glimakra, it was difficult to imagine that the dimensions of the particularly robust and efficient SUB-system would fit naturally for new design floor screens. nonetheless were the sound characteristics of these screens so desirable, it was impossible not to give it a try. to be able to furnish with screens based on the unusually heavy frames, I wanted to add ease and let the screens lift off the floor. I also felt that the screens would have to be elevated to something more, to become… furniture screens’, explains the designer.

johan kauppi subtle floor screens collection: arrangements with two panels

for this collection, kauppi has based the design on three main parts: a large wooden frame, upholstery and white stained ash legs. in other words, the bulky presence of the board is softened by the neat wooden legs — that pinch the screen panels while hiding the fastening screws right under — as well as by the padded fabric on either side. the wood itself offers the screens a snug character while its handcrafted details express the great craftsmanship that is found in glimakra’s products. all in all, the simple proportions bring together the robust screen panels into a light family, gently lifted off the floor, while offering unusually effective absorption.

close-up of a subtle leg, with the piping as a hallmark of the limbus brand of glimakra

‘I remember exactly when the idea came to me. it was during a walk last autumn, visiting my home village in northern sweden, when I suddenly saw it. it was a beautiful old trestle off a century-old decayed barn. I was drawn by the elegant figure, and it seemed obvious to try capturing the expression and lend it into the work with floor screens‘. 

a group of three screens that both complement and contrast each other

a small subtle screen upholstered in blue fabric

the collection can be furnished in a dynamic arrangement thanks to its various colors and sizes

row formation 

the smallest and lowest subtle floor screen is suitable for low seating areas, like lounges

this old trestle found during a walk by kauppi is the source of influence behind the design

two pairs of legs ready to be mounted

Schematic illustration of the six screens

project info:

designer: johan kauppi
producer: glimakra of sweden
screen composition: (legs) 420 x 300 x 40 mm in white stained ash / (body) 80 x 30 mm, joined together with sharp corners and filled with an 80 mm solid sound absorbing foam / (upholstery) padded with fabric on both sides.
screen sizes:  (1) 1400 x 700 x 80 mm / (2) 1800 x 700 x 80 mm / (3) 1400 x 1100 x 80 mm / (4) 1400 x 1350 x 80 mm / (5) 800 x 1350 x 80 mm / (6) 1800 x 1500 x 80 mm

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lea zeitoun | designboom