BDG uses natural materials with a clinical twist at Tate & Lyle’s new office
The data-backed design by BDG reflects Tate & Lyle’s determination to implement a radically different way of working.
15/08/2022
2 min read
The Momentum furniture collection from David Thulstrup for Søuld
The award-winning designer utilises the innovation of Søuld’s eelgrass acoustic mats to create four limited edition furniture designs.
15/12/2021
2 min read
Rot-resistant, non-toxic, moisture-regulating, insulating, low-emission: eelgrass is a natural resource that reproduces itself annually in the sea, washes ashore without any human intervention, and is dried on nearby fields by the sun and wind. A type of seagrass, its use in construction dates back centuries; originally used by settlers on the Danish island of Læsø to create thick and insulating roof-thatching for their ‘seaweed’ houses – a technique not seen anywhere else in the world. After a decade of research and development into the material, Søuld’s products represent a passionate reinvention of Denmark’s forgotten seaweed house heritage, emerging as an expert in this wonderful material.
Working together with local Danish farmers, municipalities and ecologists, Søuld has optimised eelgrass processing based on environmental protection and the preservation of natural eelgrass meadows. The sea plant is found washed ashore along Denmark’s coastline as an abundant, renewable and overlooked local resource, absorbing significant amounts of CO2 while growing in the sea, and therefore serving as a carbon sink when used in construction.
Søuld has demonstrated that this natural and non- toxic material has numerous inherent qualities as a modern building material: it provides excellent acoustic and thermal comfort, effective humidity regulation, long-term durability, high fire-resistance and low susceptibility to mould and bacteria due to its naturally high content of mineral salts from the sea.
Formed from this impressive CO2-binding material, Søuld’s Acoustic Mats enhance the sensory experience of interior wall and ceiling cladding whilst providing acoustic performance, health and wellbeing benefits. Søuld offers the mats with wooden joinery or wooden frames – available both framed and unframed to offer a minimal and versatile acoustic solution.
Created with award-winning designer and architect, David Thulstrup, the Momentum Collection explores the tactility of eelgrass through four limited edition designs: a Low Table, High Table, Podium and Screen – marking the first use of Søuld’s eelgrass in furniture design. With a focus on the senses, each piece integrates glass and steel with Søuld’s eelgrass Acoustic Mats.
‘Working with eelgrass feels rewarding not only because of its truly unique characteristics, but also the fact that it’s natural, sustainable, and revolutionary,’ David comments. ‘I especially love the surface of the eelgrass, its warm hue, and the smell of salt. Visiting Læsø and understanding the history of the place played a huge role in the design process. Once I started to dissect how the eelgrass was used and applied in building the roofs back in the days, I realised that methods like layering, stacking and exposing the material would be an integral part of my designs.’
The result is a collection of honest and sensorial designs that improve acoustics within spaces whilst connecting modern interior design with nature.