Nya Nordiska: Fabrics in a new dimension

While most of us link architecture with hard materials and orthogonal spatial forms, at the imm cologne 2016 visitors were confronted with a different kind of spatial creation in the form of the 'Das Haus – Interiors on Stage' installation by Sebastian Herkner: A circular holistic experience comprising light, sound and aromas in which textiles play the main role. In cooperation with the Dannenberg-based textile editor Nya Nordiska, Herkner has developed an installation with special haptic and acoustic qualities - spatial sequences full of openness and permeability that nevertheless convey an immediate feeling of security. This is achieved through the use of several layers of transparent and semi-transparent materials and mesh and openwork patterns that are able to be moved and superimposed within a track system. 'Thus it is not a static structure, but soft, textile architecture that plays with light and changing perspectives', says Herkner about his design. Bright, mineral colour shades contrast with bright yellow and blue, enlivening the textile walls.

Nya Nordiska has focused on the topic of three dimensionality for some time. While exploring the space-forming and functional possibilities, fabrics are constantly being redefined in terms of design, materials and workmanship. Thus the Nya Textiles collection is now supplemented with the Nya Artline decorating systems and the Nya Walls diamond-glass textile wall panels and fabric creations. 'We get inspiration from everywhere,' says Sybilla Hansl, Head of Design and the daughter of company founder Heinz Röntgen, 'Fashion, art sports and nature provide us with ideas, as do new technologies and related disciplines such as furniture design and architecture.'
In addition to the recent 'Das Haus – Interiors on Stage' installation, other projects such as David Chipperfield Architects' 'British Art in the 20th Century' at the Kunstmuseum Wolfsburg, or '-arium' in the ICSID Hanover with Jürgen Mayer H. Architects also show the enormous potential of combining textiles and architecture.

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Text: Katja Reich