Press Releases
23 May 2023
Oloïd – a sustainable acoustic luminaire with character.
Impact Acoustic, provider of sustainable acoustic solutions, and renowned Swiss design studio atelier oï present Oloïd, a luminaire that combines acoustic excellence with intuitive design. The lighting solution will make its debut at Clerkenwell Design Week in London, where it will be on display at the Clerkenwell Dungeon from Tuesday 23rd to Thursday 25th May. An extended version of Oloïd will be unveiled at Chicago Design Days on 12 June.
Oloïd is the result of a successful collaboration between Impact Acoustic and atelier oï, combining their expertise in acoustic engineering, material research and design innovation. Harnessing the capabilities of ARCHISONIC® Felt, Impact Acoustic's proprietary high-performance acoustic absorber made from upcycled single-use plastic bottles, Oloïd delivers exceptional sound absorption properties while promoting sustainability and responsible material sourcing.
"At atelier oï, we often begin our creative process with an encounter with the material," says Aurel Aebi. "Our goal was to find a way to make the sustainable material speak in a new way." To create organic shapes, the designers had to push the limits of the material's stiffness and flatness. With the right tools and processes, the designers were able to test and give the panels a whole new character.
Oloïd's captivating design is enhanced by the carefully curated selection of all 32 colours in the ARCHISONIC® Felt range, allowing architects to personalise spaces and create immersive environments. The products will premiere during Clerkenwell Design Week in London, providing a unique opportunity for visitors to experience the aesthetic appeal of the luminaire first-hand at the Clerkenwell Dungeon from 23-25 May. An extended version of Oloïd will also be unveiled at Chicago Design Days on 12 June, showcasing its innovative design and acoustic performance on a larger scale.
"The collaboration fascinated us as we witnessed the metamorphosis of our material. This was made possible using a distinctive cutting technique at specific angles and the skillful folding of the panels. This creative approach seamlessly transformed the two-dimensional panels into fascinating three-dimensional entities, transcending surfaces to tangible bodies," said Sven Erni, co-founder of Impact Acoustic." With its sustainable design, this collaboration sets a new standard for sound-absorbing luminaires.
Oloïd offers a transformative lighting experience that seamlessly blends functionality and artistic expression. Its innovative design, coupled with outstanding sound absorption, redefines the way light and sound interact, enhancing the ambience of any space.
About Impact Acoustic
Impact Acoustic is a leading Swiss provider of innovative acoustic solutions dedicated to improving the acoustic environment of various spaces. With a commitment to sustainability and design excellence, Impact Acoustic combines acoustic expertise with responsible material sourcing to deliver exceptional acoustic performance.
About atelier oï
Founded by Aurel Aebi, Armand Louis and Patrick Reymond in 1991 in La Neuveville, Switzerland, atelier oï is a renowned design studio known for its multidisciplinary approach and visionary creativity. With expertise in architecture, interior design, product design and scenography, atelier oï pushes boundaries and embraces intuitive and emotional design to create transformative experiences.
17 April 2023
Introducing ARCHISONIC® Cotton - an innovative and fully circular solution that addresses the issue of sound absorption.
ARCHISONIC® Cotton is a completely new sustainable solution made in Italy from waste materials. The high-performance acoustic absorber can be returned to the production process, making the material completely circular. Available in a range of 24 curated colours, it not only absorbs sound, but also adds a natural aesthetic to any room.
ARCHISONIC® Cotton is an innovative solution that addresses the issue of sound absorption while being fully circular. Circularity is a concept that has gained traction in recent years and refers to the idea of designing products and processes that are inherently restorative and regenerative. This means that they aim to eliminate waste and pollution while creating a closed-loop system in which resources are used efficiently and sustainably.
ARCHISONIC® Cotton embodies this concept by using only natural and renewable materials in its production process. The main component of the material is cellulose derived from cotton linters, a by-product of the cotton industry that would otherwise be discarded. The production process is also designed to be circular, recycling, and reusing water and minimising waste.
The material is completely reusable, with 100% of the sound absorbers able to be returned to the production process at the end of their life cycle. This not only reduces waste, but also ensures that resources are used efficiently, and that the product can be used indefinitely by simply reshaping and adding no more than water without degrading the quality of the materials.
The revolutionary material offers a range of natural colours obtained without the use of chemical dyes or mordants. The range of 24 natural earth pigments matches the existing ARCHISONIC® Felt, based on upcycled PET, collection and has been curated by the trend scouts at Colour Hive. This attention to detail ensures that the product not only meets the functional requirements of sound absorption, but also offers a beautiful and natural aesthetic that is in line with current design trends.
The material is handmade in Italy, where skilled craftsmen take great care to ensure that each tile meets the highest standards of quality and beauty. In addition, ARCHISONIC® Cotton can absorb up to 60% of sound, making it a highly effective acoustic absorber. It has been designed to meet the most demanding professional requirements, making it a popular choice for a wide range of applications.
Overall, ARCHISONIC® Cotton is an innovative and sustainable solution that embodies the concept of circularity. By using natural and renewable materials, designing a closed-loop production process, and ensuring that the product is fully recyclable, it offers a restorative and regenerative solution to the problem of sound absorption.