These wool-clad soundscapes are ultra-sustainable

Although Ingegerd Råman, one of Sweden’s foremost glass designers and celebrated ceramists, has been creating exquisite and just as functional objects enveloped by pared-down designs since the 1960s, at the beginning of her career, the artist envisioned herself as a textile designer. Joining forces with Swedish brand Abstracta and sustainable furniture manufacturer Verk prompted Råman to bittersweetly travel back in time and joyously rediscover the skills she was once utterly devoted to.

In Abstracta x Verk, a riveting assortment of premium quality, sound-absorbing, framed acoustic panels is blanketed by Råman’s designs as she fearlessly explores and reunites with the language of textiles through elegant weaving techniques. Warmly received, the collection was showcased at the 2025 edition of the Stockholm Furniture Fair as part of the Reinventing Textile group exhibition.

Established in 2021, Verk’s philosophy is rooted in quality, traceability, and functionality. By choosing to utilize only Swedish raw materials such as wood, leather, and wool, Verk paves the way for more responsible and transparent solutions. In collaboration with Swedish actors Ullkontoret, Sjuhäradsbygdens Färgeri, Väveriet i Bollnäs, Rodens Spinneri, and Artex, Verk has developed a new wool fabric entitled “V.IR” which has been used for the objects that make up the new collection. The material is made from wool that would otherwise have gone to waste. The wool comes exclusively from Swedish sheep and is washed, spun, and woven in Sweden which significantly reduces overall environmental impact.

Abstracta instinctively recognized the value of weaving the new textile into their acoustic products as wool fibers are also naturally flame-retardant, making wool an unduplicatable non-toxic alternative. For more than five decades, the company has been at the forefront of improving soundscapes. The imaginative brand offers a rich range of acoustic solutions, from table and floor screens, wall absorbers, and acoustic luminaires to innovative furniture with integrated acoustics and quiet room solutions. The Swedish collective of experts strives to reduce its environmental impact by using recycled materials and working with local suppliers. 

Simultaneously improving the sound environment and adding soothing aesthetic appeal lies at the core of the collection of sleek acoustic panels. Suitable for a wide variety of spaces and environments such as restaurants, hotel lobbies, open-plan offices, co-working spaces, learning environments, and home offices, the sophisticated panels have a high sound-absorbing capacity and effectively absorb unpleasant noise. The superbly effective Swedish-produced sound-absorbing core is made from textile waste and polyester made from recycled PET bottles. Together with their well-crafted oak minimalist frames, the wool fabric enhances both the tactile feel and the refined visual identity of the panels.

Visually, Abstracta x Verk exudes warmth, humility, strength, and timelessness. Inspired by the wool’s natural tones, the color scheme includes earthy tones and calming shades and is very much a nod to the cautiousness and gentility found across Råman‘s design philosophy. The unmatched weaving techniques create engaging patterns and playful dynamics in the palette, giving a vibrant yet harmonious feel. No thicker than 45 millimeters, the acoustic panels are available in three sizes: 1000 mm x 1400 mm, 700 mm x 1000 mm, and 500 mm x 700 mm, and are framed in untreated Swedish oak.

Stupendously sustainable as it is divinely functional and robustly aesthetically fitting for interiors of many kinds, the Abstracta x Verk collaborative collection of unique acoustic pieces masterfully reinvents the presence of textiles by bathing it in innovation.