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Wolvilt Gains Magnetic Freedom
A wall made of wool felt that isn’t glued in place but stays in position magnetically. With Aurum by HOLLANDFELT, HOLLANDFELT presented a new way to use the material in interiors at Architect@Work. The magnetic acoustic tiles can be easily installed, removed, and rearranged.
HOLLANDFELT specializes in wool felt made from 100 percent pure new wool for interior design and acoustic applications, among others. The company is a regular participant in the Dutch and Belgian editions of Architect@Work. “The interesting thing is that you always want to show something new,” says director Mischa de Vries. “That challenges us to take a critical look at our possibilities. You have to stay on your toes.”
This time, that development process has led to Aurum by HOLLANDFELT. The standard size of the magnetic tile is 60 by 60 centimeters, and the product is available in all of the company’s more than 100 colors. HOLLANDFELT can also produce other shapes and sizes. Printing and die-cutting are also still possible.
The main difference lies in the installation method. While wool felt is typically glued to walls, Aurum is installed using magnets. HOLLANDFELT has developed a complete system for this purpose. The surface is coated with black magnetic paint, which can be finished in the desired wall color if desired. This creates an invisible magnetic base onto which the felt elements can be placed as desired.
“You retain all the properties of wool felt, but gain a lot of flexibility,” says Mischa de Vries. “We find that particularly interesting for turnkey projects and offices. If a space gets a new tenant or needs a different look, you simply remove the tiles and create a new arrangement. You can transform a wall like that very quickly.” The magnetic fastening system does not alter the material properties of the wool felt, including its sound-absorbing and fire-retardant properties.
Aurum has only just been introduced. At its own Experience Center, HOLLANDFELT has already installed two walls featuring the system. Here, the company showcases not only Aurum to customers but also the broader possibilities of wool felt. During Architect@Work, HOLLANDFELT also used two walls to demonstrate what’s possible with the new system. Mischa de Vries expects that experimenting with the magnetic application will yield new ideas. “By exploring the possibilities and, for example, collaborating with students, you often gain inspiration and ideas.”
For now, HOLLANDFELT is focusing on the Dutch market with Aurum, after which an expansion into foreign markets is planned. The system is by no means fully developed. Mischa de Vries: “We’re going to keep experimenting and playing around with the possibilities. That gives us another challenge for next year: what will we come up with next?”
