Wakufuru

Design by Kauppi & Kauppi for Glimakra of Sweden

It all started with a curious thought - can solid wood furniture be given acoustic properties?

Wakufuru is a collection of tables, benches and seating islands - combining sound absorption with solid wooden furniture. An innovative corner design, provides a system consistent family where all tables and seats are constructed the same way - regardless of height or size. Every piece of furniture hides an effective sound absorber, built up by several interacting materials and air gaps, all responding to the volume of the furniture. It all started with a curious thought - can solid wood furniture be given acoustic properties?

“Wood as a material, always contributes with a natural warmth in interiors. I wanted to find out if solid wood furniture could also reflect some of the sound atmosphere experienced in forests. Already the first sketches were based on a design that focuses on Glimakra of Swedens long tradition and history of wood production. The goal was to combine a great knowledge of wood with the expertise in acoustic solutions that is found in the company. The result is an essence of true craftsmanship, advanced wood technology and a great attention to acoustics.”  – Johan Kauppi

”The thing with good acoustics is that; when it is well taken care of nobody will notice. They will just feel comfortable and enjoy their conversations or work flow. It is when the noise is not taken care of, that will drive people crazy" - Johan Kauppi

The importance of creating functional and pleasant sound climates is something being addressed in the exhibition The Senses: Design Beyond Vision at the Cooper Hewitt Design Museum in New York. The exhibition focused on how design activates our senses and how design can improve and change the conditions in people’s everyday life.

In the exhibition there is a wide range of expressions represented. Wakufuru was chosen by the curators to represent another take on the subject labeled ”quiet both visually and acoustically”.  The Wakufuru seating islands are honorable placed as centerpieces in the section where large projectors are showing entertaining and educational animations and sounds on the theme reverb and room acoustics. The exhibition was shown from April to October 2018.