Sign in to view
member only content

When we covered 3DWalldecor’s three-dimensional wall panels earlier this year, we thought they offered an interesting new alternative. We still do, of course, but just recently we got wind of a like-minded idea in the works that will bring even more to the table. Specifically, Dutch Royal Philips Electronics last week announced a partnership with Danish Kvadrat Soft Cells to create wall coverings that not only absorb sound but emit light as well. Kvadrat Soft Cells is already known for its acoustic panels that control sound absorption, but the new partnership will use Philips’ expertise in ambient lighting to take such efforts even further. By integrating Philips’ addressable and multicolored LEDs into Kvadrat’s panels — which are constructed from fabric stretched over an aluminum frame — the two will give architects, interior designers and lighting specialists a world of new plug-and-play capabilities. Targeted particularly at retail and hospitality providers, the resulting “luminous textiles” will create a “mood wall” or series of panels that can not only absorb sound but enhance any ambiance through the display of light and dynamic visual content. Soft, diffused light will create an almost “dreamlike” quality suitable for settings ranging from reception areas and restaurants to hotels and airport lounges, Philips says, and users can either draw from the technology’s standard content portfolio or choose branded or other content of their own. The video from Philips below explains the premise in more detail: There’s no denying that ambiance is a critical factor in hospitality offerings, in particular, and luminous textiles could take such efforts to new heights. Restaurateurs, hoteliers and beyond: one to watch and try out!