Our Story
Based in Ebeltoft since its foundation in 1968, Kvadrat’s current headquarters were commissioned from architects Poulsen & Therkildsen of Aarhus in 1980. The red brick of the building’s construction echoes the local architectural vernacular, while the low profile of the structure sites it comfortably in the surrounding coastal landscape. The building’s early spatial colour scheme was created by the lithographer Finn Sködt who later designed the classic Kvadrat textile Divina.
With showrooms in 30 cities around the world, some 30 per cent of Kvadrat’s 530 employees globally work out of the Ebeltoft headquarters (August 2017). Under the direction of Anders Byriel and Mette Bendix – offspring of founders Poul Byriel and Erling Rasmussen – Kvadrat remains not only a family business but also a cornerstone of the local community. Since its inception, Kvadrat has worked closely with artists and designers, from its early association with Nanna Ditzel, Gunnar Aagaard Andersen and Verner Panton, through to significant contemporary artists such as Rosemarie Trockel and Pipilotti Rist and ongoing relationships with the likes of Thomas Demand and Peter Saville today.
On the redesign by SevilPeach
London-based architects SevilPeach have transformed Kvadrat’s head office in Ebeltoft, Denmark, creating visual connections with the surrounding landscape throughout the complex. A spectacular new 320 square metre showroom allows clients to explore the company’s full range of textiles and products on site. Freshly opened up office spaces encourage collaborative working practice between departments. A new welcome area, social spaces and an inviting library extend Kvadrat’s familial ethos.
The landscape that has so profoundly influenced Kvadrat’s use of colour has been brought into the building through new floor-to-ceiling windows. Opened-out offices and studios offer long lines of sight. The canteen where all company employees gather for ecologically home cooked meals is afforded proper status as the heart of the site, its function bolstered by the library, meeting and soft social zones opened alongside.
Meet the Architect
SevilPeach Architecture + Design is a global reaching, London based studio founded by Sevil Peach and Gary Turnbull. As a team they have wide range of project experience, including retail, healthcare, exhibitions, residential and commercial sectors. They have developed an in depth interest and expertise in workplace design, working with internationally recognized clients including Kvadrat, Vitra, Novartis, Spaces, Swiss Re and Microsoft who have wished to recast their work environments to both better support their business goals, organization and employees, and to develop new working patterns and relationships. In addition, an extensive list of fruitful collaborations with distinguished architects including Diener+Diener, David Chipperfield, Herzog & De Meuron, Kengo Kuma, Alejandro Aravena and Sergison Bates among others accompanies their portfolio.
