In 2021 Bolon revealed a new design collaboration and welcomed renowned architect and designer Patricia Urquiola to the extraordinary list of Bolon friends. Together, the Bolon team and Patricia shaped a contemporary architectural flooring collection with a modern and soft appearance. A perfect match of performance, playfulness and craftsmanship.

“Sashiko means craftsmanship, a sense of materiality.”

Patricia Urquiola is one of the most influential designers and architects of our time. Pursuing two professions, she moves freely between interior architecture and product design – a shift that constantly drives her to develop new approaches to her craft. In her collaborative work, the processes of finding the human aspect and exploring craftsmanship often become the very essence of her design. This was the case for the Bolon by Patricia Urquiola collection, as Patricia recognized that the design’s weaving technique resembled traditional Japanese Sashiko stitches. The result – an expressive yet subtle flooring collection with a neutral elegance.

In 2020 BOLON added a new friend to the already existing portfolio of influential names within the design industry. As masters of the all things interactive, New York-based design practice, Snarkitecture have created a multi room booth for the 2020 Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair. The space highlights Bolon’s collections, but also gives visitors a chance to slow down and engage. The booth is a labyrinth which will take visitors on a journey through multiple rooms that communicate different features of Bolon’s story, products and performances. Space here has been designed for interaction and includes media displays, design tables and product demonstrations.  
 
Lead by partners Alex Mustonen, Daniel Arsham and Ben Porto, Snarkitecture’s work focuses on the reinterpretation of everyday materials, structures and programs to new and imaginative effect, making them the perfect partner to have helped create a booth design full of unexpected and memorable moments.

"Collaborating with Bolon has presented us with the opportunity to create something different within the context of a design fair"

- Alex Mustonen of Snarkitechture

The first collaborative project between Bolon and Jean Nouvel was presented during the Stockholm Furniture Fair in February 2012, where Jean Nouvel will revealed a spectacular interpretation of Bolons 2012 collection Create – an exciting concept in the form of an exhibition stand that challenges gravity as well as the traditional ideas of flooring.

Challenging gravity

In the world of architecture, the name Jean Nouvel commands instant respect. His major breakthrough came in 1987 when his design for the Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris received critical and commercial acclaim. A self-confessed admirer of Bolon flooring for many years, our initial collaboration for the Stockholm Furniture Fair involved a spectacular, gravity defying interpretation of our Create collection. Like Bolon, Monsieur Nouvel strives to challenge conventionality, a task he believes is made more achievable through harnessing the unique characteristics our flooring can offer. In 2016, Bolon and Jean Nouvel collaborated to launch the flooring collection Bolon by Jean Nouvel Design which was launched during Nouvel's exhibition at the Musée de Art Decoratifs in Paris.

For over a decade, Bolon joined creative forces with the Italian fashion and interior house Missoni, resulting in the Missoni Home collections. 

The richly coloured, versatile, and powerful collections of exclusive woven floors was based on the iconic patterns and gave new and exciting expression to Missoni Home’s beloved and characteristic attributes.

We will always be proud of the collections we created together. 

Founded in 2004 by partners Lyndon Neri and Rossana Hu, Neri&Hu Design and Research Office is an architectural design agency based in Shanghai, China. Known for their inter-disciplinary approach to design and architecture, Neri&Hu creates a new paradigm in contemporary design by fusing local culture with international spirit - often combining Asian simplicity with Western influences. Working on projects in many countries, the husband-and-wife team’s projects range from interiors, contract and product design.

A tremendous amount of passion is woven into the Bolon fabric, with each thread carefully chosen. It was an inspiring collaboration that we hopefully will extend to future projects

The first creative collaboration between Bolon and Neri&Hu was displayed during the Stockholm Light and Furniture Fair in February 2018, where the iconic design duo created a stand concept that interprets the Scandinavian landscape. The collaboration sparked an interest for Bolon’s material and potential future collaborations.

The dynamic design duo was named Guest of Honour during Stockholm Design Week 2019, where they were given 200 m² in the entrance hall. They chose to use the space to shine the spotlight on social issues unique to China, specifically the disappearance of villages and village cultures – an alarming trend which is significantly impacting traditional views on community, family, and cultural roots. By installing Bolon Jean Nouvel No. 3, Neri&Hu created an exhibition that represents and captures the very essence of the traditional Chinese village, while also offering viewers first-class design and architecture together with Bolon.

Finding meaning is a recurring theme within Doshi Levien’s work. Recognized by industry leaders, Doshi Levien is an internationally acclaimed design studio founded by designers Nipa Doshi and Jonathan Levien. Nipa’s approach is rooted in her plural upbringing and astute eye for visual culture. Jonathan’s approach is rooted in industrial precision, combined with the sensuality of a makers hand and deep understanding of materials. Working across various disciplines and industries, the London-based pair create furniture, furnishings, installations and accessories for design brands.

What is important is that people appreciate this material. These floors are essentially textiles; they’re jacquard floors.

In 2015, a creative partnership was established with the design duo for an architecture-infused campaign, ‘Material Interventions’. The visual treatment tied into the release of Bolon By You. Taking inspiration from fashion, art and culture, the collection was launched at the 2016 Stockholm Furniture Fair where Doshi Levien lent their expertise and designed Bolon’s stand to showcase the new collection. Displaying their keen eye for an impactful presentation, the stand was created as an open gallery and the collection was installed alongside various architectural materials.

Giulio Cappellini is a legend in the design world, an influential furniture producer and currently also an appreciated member of Bolon’s Friends. The first Cappellini-Bolon cooperation came about in 2008 when Giulio was asked to furnish the entrance hall of the Stockholm Furniture Fair. Since then Giulio Cappellini has used Bolon flooring in several projects, among others in the Malpensa and Linate airport VIP Lounges in Milan, Italy. Giulio Cappellini uses Bolon flooring in all his new showrooms worldwide. Not one showroom is like the other, since he always wants to adapt the concept to the special atmosphere of the city and the place itself. The Cappellini showroom in Paris is dominated by Bolon’s flooring NOW Pink, which also underlies the colour of the walls and ceiling.

I chose Bolon for several showroom and public area projects because I think the material is beautiful, durable and contemporary

In 2017, Giulio teamed up with young Italian designer, Antonio Facco to present a tailor-made design using custom Villa La Madonna upholstery from Bolon. The 2015 ANEMOS collection, produced by Cappellini received a makeover and the iconic table and poufs were transformed through Antonio’s vision. The impressive pieces were presented during Stockholm Design Week at Bolon’s exhibit “Innovations at Heart” in February, 2017. The collaboration has sparked an interest for potential production and additional experimentation with Bolon. “This is a prototype and the first step towards potential production and we will surely experiment with Bolon to cover other Cappellini products”

The unique success story of Thonet began with the work of master carpenter Michael Thonet (1796-1871), which established the transition from manual furniture production to industrial production. Michael Thonet succeeded in making the breakthrough to industrial production in 1859 in Vienna with chair No.14, later called the “Vienna coffee house chair“, for which the innovative technique of bending solid beech wood was used. Chair No.14 cleared the way for Thonet to become a global enterprise, and numerous successful bentwood designs followed.

The material catches a lot of attention and is an interesting and fashionable material to use

For Bolon’s 2017 experimental concept “Innovators at Heart”, contact was made through Thonet’s Head of Product and Development and the flooring brand. Identified as a top furniture producer, it was clear that Thonet’s involvement was brilliant as their classic No. 209 Bentwood chair was selected and transformed using Villa La Madonna textiles. The statement piece was uniquely displayed at Bolon’s exhibit during Stockholm Design Week alongside other collaborative furniture brands.

The launch of the collection Silence featured a creative collaboration of a different, yet exciting kind – with acclaimed choreographer Alexander Ekman. The result is a groundbreaking short film named “The Contradiction of Silence”. A playful piece of art, filled with energy, joy and beauty, it sits at the conceptual centre of the launch of Silence.

Into new territory

Alexander Ekman was born in Stockholm in 1984 and educated at the city’s Opera Ballet Academy between 1994 and 2001. He is famous for his modern interpretations of classic dance, his previous work includes projects with the Boston Ballet Company, Sydney Ballet Company, The Juiliard School, the Royal Swedish Ballet and as well as being the associate choreograph for Nederlands Danse Theatre. Since 2006 he has devoted his time to creating pieces that entertain, challenge and surprise the observer. In the spring of 2014, Alexander presented his own production of ’Swan Lake’ at the Oslo Opera House. It was his first full-length narrative ballet and together with top designer Henrik Vibskov and with new music by composer Mikael Karlsson, ’Swan Lake’ was presented with a full company on stage, a complete orchestra in the pit and a real lake on the Main House stage.

Stockholm based design studio FÄRG & BLANCHE was founded in 2010 by the Swedish designer Fredrik Färg and designer Emma Marga Blanche, born in France. As a studio, they work across a wide variety of fields, collaborating with established furniture brands such as BD Barcelona Design, Gärsnäs, Petite Friture and Design House Stockholm to name a few, as well as producing their own collections and limited art pieces for galleries in Milan. Known for their experimental stance, where each expression informs the other, they effortlessly move between the exclusive hand made, one off and the industrially produced, without ever losing their distinctive touch.

Both Bolon and we share this curiosity about innovation and material and to have a company like Bolon that wants to experiment is like a dream scenario for us. The combination of mat wool and the shiny vinyl make the material come to life

In 2017, the design pair joined Bolon again after 8 years for a collaborative experimental concept named “Innovators at Heart” which was exhibited during Stockholm Design Week that same year. Using custom DUET material, the studio designed a special armchair upholstered with Bolon’s new textiles. Inspired by samurai armor, the impressive piece named Long Neck is planned to be featured in Färg & Blanche’s “Armour mon Amour” collection this spring.

Bolon joined forces with Swedish fashion house and winners of Elle Designer Of The Year Award 2014, AltewaiSaome to create an exclusive flooring based on their designs. This flooring was used to decorate the catwalk at the AltewaiSaome show during Mercedes-Benz Stockholm Fashion Week Autumn / Winter 2014. As well as designing this unique flooring, AltewaiSaome also created four showpiece garments using the Bolon flooring material.

We felt an instant connection during our first meeting with Bolon and knew straight away that we were on the exact same page and shared the same vision

In the case of AltewaiSaome, we feel a particular affinity to their work as it is architectonic in style and represents high quality with exciting details. A limited edition of cut pieces of flooring from the catwalk was sold exclusively in selected boutiques during 2014.

It started with an image. A confusing image – at least it was confusing to the Campana brothers, Fernando and Humberto. An advertisement for Bolon’s Botanic collection in the form of an eye-catching yet mysterious giant plant caught their eye and awoke their curiosity – and from this beginning, one of our most interesting and rewarding collaborations was born.

Perhaps for the first time, creative Brazilian chaos met West Swedish innovative enterprise and at the Stockholm Furniture Fair in 2011, the first fruits of this collaboration were revealed to an admiring public. 7000 pieces mounted as a mosaic was a true manifestation of Campana brother’s spirit as well as a uniquely new take on Bolon’s Artisan flooring collection. Another example of the endless creative possibilities to be found in the intricate weave of Bolon flooring? We like to think so – and we love to think that there are so many more as yet undiscovered.

Since its origins in the 1970’s, BD has always been an atypical company. Its founders and still current owners, who come from an architectural background rather than the business field, have oriented BD’s production from the very start by cultivating beauty, in some cases above their function. Accompanied with artisanal processes instead of mass production, the new products always have more proximity to art than industrial design. Characterised by superior quality, short-series productions (and on occasion limited editions), and unique pieces due to crafted manufacturing. Jordi joined the acclaimed design furniture company 16 years ago and never imagined how passionate and attractive the business was and what he would learn from it. After one of their products (the Showtime sofa by Jamie Hayón) was used in a Bolon advertisement, Jordi kept a close eye on the company and looked forward to a future collaboration.

The pieces look so beautiful that I’m sure when people will start to see them we will start receiving enquiries to produce this armchair with Bolon’s finishes

It was not until 2017 where he lent his expertise and oversaw the design of two pieces to be used in Bolon’s experimental concept “Innovators at Heart”. Shown during Stockholm Design Week, two armchairs, designed by Färg & Blanche were upholstered using Bolon materials. One featured customised DUET textiles new to the season and the other used Bolon Gradient from the Graphic collection. The partnership has opened up the door for additional testing with the hopes to produce more pieces in the future.

Founded in 1893, and run by Anna and Day Klockby together with Åke Axelsson, this family owned company produces and manufactures quality furniture from their own factory village in Gärsnäs. Since its inception, their focus has been on quality and wood furniture factory craftsmanship, transferred naturally between different generations. Gärsnäs has an ongoing collaboration with many prominent designers to include Bolon.

The furniture has a different expression – similar to fashion and how what we wear affects our appearance

Using customised DUET material, their iconic ELSA and JACK poufs designed by Färg & Blanche were restyled for inclusion in Bolon’s 2017 “Innovators at Heart” exhibit. Debuting during Stockholm Design Week, the pieces were part of an experimental concept where various collaborators were specially chosen to work with the new material and test the potential of the textile. The outcome was impressive as the three-dimension depth of the material elevated the final piece and brought out a luxurious product.

As the creator of some of the most internationally renowned objects in contemporary Swedish design today, Monica’s work is characterized by a strong sense of pure form mixed with a never-ending curiosity for new materials and technology. Always trying to work in a cross-disciplinary way, she invents and renews typologies in industrial, furniture and object design.

The textile we have chosen has a strong direction. The idea has been to align the feeling of the textile with the chair

As the founder of the Monica Förster Design Studio, she adds another prestigious assignment to her current list of international collaborations and currently sits as the new external Creative Director of Swedese – one of the world’s leading furniture producers. Under her direction, the GUEST chair was redesigned for Bolon’s 2017 “Innovators at Heart” exhibit during Stockholm Design Week. Using custom Duet material, this one-of-a-kind hospitality chair was presented among other collaborative pieces showcasing the experimental possibilities of Bolon’s new textiles.

During Salone del Mobile 2018, Bolon presented a new collaboration with the renowned American designer, Stephen Burks. In conjunction with the Spanish design brand BD Barcelona Design, Bolon and Burks revealed an experimental line of textiles which blend industrial production with the warmth of handcraft detailing. Hand-tailored for use in custom projects, the fabrics were developed as a couture upholstery for the Grasso collection – a furniture range developed by Burks for BD Barcelona Design.

Led by Stephen Burks’s maxim that “The closer the hand gets to the act of making, the greater potential there is for innovation”, the textiles developed by Bolon and Burks push at the boundaries of craft and industry, while posing a series of radical questions about how textiles might be used within furniture design