The Swedish design company, Bolon, has entered into a partnership with the world famous French architect Jean Nouvel. Their first appearance together will be at the Stockholm Furniture Fair in February 2012 where they will be presenting their joint project at the Bolon stand.

“Jean Nouvel and his design team will be creating an architectural setting that will also be presented in one of Bolon’s newly-developed digital tools designed specifically to inspire architects. We are unable to reveal more details at the moment but we promise that Bolon’s stand will be out of the ordinary. Of course, Monsieur Nouvel will also be with us at the Fair,” says Marie Eklund, Creative Director at Bolon.

Designer Friends is the name Bolon gives to the collaborative relationships it has enjoyed with many well-known designers over the years. In the New Year, Bolon will be initiating a collaborative concept called Architect Friends, which means that, in conjunction with the new partnership, Monsieur Nouvel will become the company’s first “Architect Friend”. Jean Nouvel was born in 1945 and studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. His major breakthrough came in 1987 as an architect with the Institut du Monde Arabe. Monsieur Nouvel is one of the most renowned, award-winning architects in the world today. His commissions are often large, public buildings and institutions, such as Danish Radio’s Concert Hall in Copenhagen, the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, Torre Agbar in Barcelona and the Louvre Abu Dhabi (under construction).

Jean Nouvel Design, an independent company, was set up in 1995 by Jean Nouvel to accompany architecture firm Ateliers Jean Nouvel by working in the field of design and interior architecture. Last year Jean Nouvel Design worked with a Swedish fashion chain store at Champs Élysées. The cooperation with Bolon concerns primarily Jean Nouvel Design.

“We are naturally tremendously proud and delighted to have formed this partnership with Jean Nouvel, who is one of the world’s most outstanding and talented architects, and it gives us a fantastic opportunity to display the full potential of our floors,” Marie Eklund concludes.

The Swedish flooring company Bolon was founded in 1949. Today, Bolon is a cutting edge company owned and run by sisters Annica and Marie Eklund, the third generation of Eklunds to own the company. From its origins as a traditional manufacturer of woven flooring, they have developed the company into an internationally successful design company, with a focus on innovative flooring and creative interiors. Bolon was the first company in the world to produce woven vinyl floor coverings and has its own design studio where all the flooring is designed. Bolon offers a unique product, both in terms of design and production. All floorings have a discernable textile appearance with strong, vivid features, but are highly functional when it comes to maintenance and long life. The range is produced for public environments with a focus on hotels, shops and exclusive shops. They meet all the stringent standards for fire safety, wear and durability and sound insulation.

Bolon has been implementing a progressive and inclusive environmental improvement program, Bolon Green™, in all areas of its operations for many years, which has contributed to the company being certified to leading environmental standards such as FloorScore, GreenTag and Breeam. Bolon has also been certified to ISO 14001 since 1999. All production is carried out with pride in Sweden.

Customers include well known brands such as Adidas/Reebok, Armani, Google, Mercedes and Sheraton as well as leading architects and designers such as Tom Dixon, Jean Nouvel and Cappellini.

Bolon
bolon.com