Scalo is a new, asymmetric upholstery fabric with a three-dimensional shell-like structure. Scalo shall accentuate the furniture and support the company’s expressed goal of becoming one of the world’s ”top five” manufacturers of upholstery fabrics within five years. The furniture shall also meet stringent requirements in respect of durability, fire-resistant qualities and stretchiness.

The jury’s verdict:
Scalo upholstery fabric gives a fascinating illusion of three-dimensionality. This creates an interesting effect when the fabric is used on a three-dimensional shape. Cooperation with the designer and factory has been extremely successful, and the fabric has an innovative appearance. The surface of the fabric has a special, complex quality depending on the angle at which it is viewed, the light and the shape of the furniture. Production of the fabric satisfies stringent environmental requirements. Scalo’s durability and fire-resistant qualities mean it can be used on furniture that is subjected to a lot of wear and tear.

Company: Gudbrandsdalen Uldvarefabrikk AS

Project group company: Frode Svarstad (Gudbrandsdalens Uldvarefabrik, Project manager)www.gu.no

Design: Norway Says/Jon Pettersen

Project group design company: Torbjørn Anderssen (Designer Norway Says), Espen Voll (Designer Norway Says), Andreas Engesvik (Designer Norway Says) and Jon Pettersen (Professor in textile at Kunsthøyskolen, Bergen)www.norwaysays.no

Award / year: Award for Design Excellence - 2007

Category: Textile and clothing design