Danish textile brand Kvadrat worked with designers Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec on a roller blind that does more than just hide a window.

Kvadrat Shade is a line of window coverings that come in a variety of tones and textures, very much in the spirit of the company’s fabrics. But they also offer acoustic benefits and can provide thermal insulation, thus helping to reduce a building’s energy consumption.

The company even created a calculator, so customers can see how much money they can save on their heating bills.

“We are entering a new industry with the ambition to transform this industry,” Kvadrat CEO Anders Byriel explained at a launch event. “We come in with a very deep knowledge of textiles, but we also have a lot of technology. “

The product is the result of a collaboration with the Dutch company Coulisse, a specialist in high-performance window covering solutions, and also draws on the expertise of Verosol, an expert in solar protection fabrics belonging to Kvadrat.

By applying a metallic textile on the underside of the blind, they allow it to function as a thermal insulator. It keeps heat out during the hottest summer months and prevents heat from escaping in the winter.

“We actually have a product that offers an alternative to an exterior sunscreen product, which significantly shifts the options in architecture,” added Christian Baum Blaakær, Managing Director of Kvadrat Shade.

Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, based in Paris, were tasked with making this high-tech product as clean and simple as possible. The duo have already worked with Kvadrat on numerous projects, including the Clouds acoustic screen and the Ready Made Curtain.

Erwan Bouroullec described the process as “a hell of a job”. He explained, “Most of the offers you see are technically driven; they solve the problem, but they forget the human, they bring no taste.

“We have developed a roller blind concept which has a strong visual identity through each element and reflects Kvadrat’s expertise in terms of colors, materials and technical performance,” added Bouroullec.

“Unlike typical alternatives, Kvadrat Shade solutions open up intriguing possibilities for elevating interiors by playing with tones, transparencies and textures. You can combine anything and get a great result.”

The patterns are made of polyester, PVC free, to make them more easily recyclable. Customers can choose from a variety of controls – in addition to the traditional lanyard, there is also the option for thin sticks or remotes.

Kvadrat believes that the product line offers a good solution for every type of window and situation. The team said they have already made arrangements for the product to be installed on several major new buildings.

Other recent Kvadrat launches include shelves designed by Layer for the recycled textile brand of the company Really and curtains designed by Margrethe Odgaard that take inspiration from paneling.