ti&m is an information technology company with branches in Zurich, Lausanne, Berne and Frankfurt. In 2018, the company commissioned Schumann to integrate textile objects into its offices to alter the atmosphere and serve as a source of inspiration.
Softspace is a series of textile objects that have their roots in the interplay of textiles and architecture. Having worked previously in the TextielLab on her graduation project, Schumann had already experimented with the atmospheric properties of textiles. Softspace mediates between architecture and observer and, due to the positioning of the objects in the space, introduces both different materials and a new source of inspiration into the office environment. The use of floating threads breaks up the density of the textiles and allows the observer to discover movement, dimensionality and fragility in the surface of the objects.
For her graduation project, Schumann pushed the limits of the looms in the TextielLab by working with floating threads. These floating threads combined with the right yarns produce the desired atmospheric and three-dimensional effect when the textiles are hung up. For Softspace, she sought to refine the material and fall of the fabric. She also wanted to involve ti&m’s employees in the development process. The data the company uses is similar to the data used in weaving software. This link eventually manifested itself as an element in the design.
Schumann studied textile design in Hamburg, Germany and Lucerne, Switzerland. She worked at Studio Ratzer in Copenhagen, Denmark before moving to Zurich, Switzerland. Inspired by shapes and structures in urban environments, Schumann’s work is characterised by an intuitive approach and a pure view of materials.
