The passion lies in the diversity of interior design

1. Why was the Design Unit founded? Has the demand for support from OBJECT CARPET increased in recent years?

OBJECT CARPET responded to this in 2020 by offering support with planning services as a comprehensive service. In contrast, the individualization of carpets - for example through certain printing techniques - has been around for some time. In terms of a holistic service concept, it was then a logical consequence to bundle both creative services in-house and gradually expand them further. This is how the Design Unit came into being.

2. How exactly does the OBJECT CARPET Design Unit work?

Our aim is to find a tailor-made solution for every project, every customer and every request that optimally meets the respective requirements and circumstances. Our aim is to closely accompany and support architects and planners in the realization of sophisticated design concepts in the field of textile floor coverings. We take the time to understand their respective needs, to understand the peculiarities and special features of each project in order to ultimately find the right approach. This requires experience on the one hand and creativity and honest, open communication on the other. Our aim is always the same: to combine functionality and aesthetics in spatial planning in the best possible way.

3. Whether carpeting, wooden parquet or ceramic tiles: Tastes differ widely when it comes to the ideal floor covering. What features distinguish carpet from hard flooring from a planning perspective? Does it have advantages that other floors do not?

Of course, there are always preferences and tastes when it comes to selecting materials. The same applies to design itself. Carpet is still underestimated by many - yet it is an all-rounder in many respects and its use very often makes sense. One argument that is often overlooked but is extremely important, for example, is the acoustic effectiveness that carpet has over other materials: the way it dampens noise and sound. Our OBJECT CARPET products also have many other properties: they meet high sustainability standards and are allergy-friendly. The myth that carpet is the worst choice for house dust allergies is long outdated, but still persists - even though it reduces fine dust in the air and is recommended by the DAAB (German Allergy and Asthma Association). Then there are the “soft” factors that should not be neglected either - for example, the feeling of well-being: Carpets make a decisive contribution to the atmosphere in a room, creating a basic level of comfort that no other floor covering creates in the same way. Last but not least, there are a wide range of design options in terms of colors and textures, as well as elements such as gloss levels and high-low effects. This makes the material very versatile in terms of planning.

4. Let's say a new customer contacts you: How do you approach a new project, what do you focus on?

It's impossible to say in general terms, because every project we work on is of course unique in its own way. From a design point of view, however, it can be said that unusual color concepts are often required for hotel renovations, for example. The aesthetic aspect is paramount, so the demand for individual, particularly expressive print designs is especially pronounced. In the office sector, on the other hand, we are mostly dealing with functional aspects: For example, we often see the desire for zoning with the help of carpeting to separate the different work and communication areas. The focus is on the design of the different zones, with calming elements in the work areas and activating designs in communicative hotspots. The length of people's stay at a particular location sometimes also determines its design. I stay in a hotel temporarily, so at best I should have a lasting memory of the surroundings. By contrast, I return to the office almost every day, so I want to find a familiar, stimulating working atmosphere.

5. Have the demands on modern carpet solutions changed in recent years?

I think that, apart from aesthetic trends that come and go, the issue of sustainability has moved to the center of attention. This applies both to our customers and to us as a company. This involves questions such as: How can we reuse materials and prevent the loss of valuable raw materials? How can we move from waste to less waste to no waste at all? Which business models enable the transition to a circular economy? Ultimately, it is about being more considerate and responsible with our natural resources.

6. Personally, what aspect of your work do you enjoy most?

Clearly the variety of options for combining different colors, patterns, textures and structures to create a wide range of effects: an amazing multidimensionality, for example, or a soft, silky shimmer, to name just two examples. Because the floor is one of the largest contiguous surfaces that influences the overall effect of a room, it is always exciting to find the right level of design that will ultimately impress everyone. The carpet can be the big highlight - with playful designs or expressive colors - or blend discreetly and calmly into the background. This makes working with it incredibly varied. Ultimately, however, we always see our flooring solutions as part of a larger whole, which should be brought to life in the best possible way in terms of its overall effect: understanding the basic architectural idea, then making the right product selection and adapting it optimally to create the desired ambience - we always aim to harmonize these aspects with one another.