POoR Collective Unveils 'Power' Rug Celebrating London Housing Estates

The POoR Collective, known for its innovative architectural projects, has launched its debut rug design in collaboration with British brand Floor Story, showcasing the often-overlooked beauty of London’s housing estates.

Named 'Power,' the rug is crafted from New Zealand wool and features a flatwoven design that captures the geometric essence of iconic structures like the Barbican and Trellick Tower. Shawn Adams, a member of POoR Collective, emphasizes that the design aims to reflect the everyday life and stories of those living in these significant yet divisive architectural spaces.

"It’s about finding the beauty in something everyday that might ordinarily be overlooked," Adams explains. The design process included translating three-dimensional architectural elements into a vibrant two-dimensional format. The collective's mission is to highlight the layered histories of residents, transforming their experiences into a visual narrative.

Collaborating with Floor Story's head designer, Gill Thorpe, POoR has produced a versatile rug available in two striking colorways: Evergreen and Tangerine. Thorpe was drawn to the collective's ethos of community and joy, seeing it reflected in the rug’s graphic structure and color palette. "Power is the only flatweave in the collection that comes in two stock colorways, which adds to its uniqueness," she noted.

The rugs are made in Mirzapur, India, and will be featured during the London Design Festival, alongside works from four other creative practices. Thorpe expressed enthusiasm about working with local designers who were new to rug design, leading to an exciting blend of styles and materials.

The collaborative effort has been a journey from sketches to digital designs and finally to tangible samples, with a focus on understanding the textures and movements of the materials. Adams emphasizes the importance of experiencing the fibers in person, as the physical properties can differ significantly from digital representations.

The rugs will be showcased at Floor Story's Shoreditch showroom, transformed into immersive room sets that celebrate London's diverse design talent. For POoR Collective, this project not only introduces a new medium but also invites deeper conversations about architecture and community, challenging traditional design narratives.

Source: www.wallpaper.com