“Everyday life is filled with dualities and opposing forces that create interest and tension in and around everything we see and experience. These different forces arise from social and cultural shifts that occur as reactions to the natural order of things, as society assimilates both the past and the future. Our design studio believes that great design comes from Surface Tension, where contrasting properties make for the most dynamic treatment of surfaces and materials.” -Suzanne Tick 2013
The opposing qualities of textured surfaces vs. smooth ones make for dramatic juxtaposition. Like yin and yang, solids and textures are interdependent so that each may be recognized as important together rather than as sole opposing forces. Their power comes when they are presented in tandem and each quality seems more extreme. The textural shift also allows for further play of light and shadow.
Articulated textures when used in repetition or on a large scale create depth and beauty that is quite poetic when juxtaposed against smooth surfaces. This museum in Taiwan uses native granite panels of varying textural treatments on the façade to create a dramatic effect.This is done on a much smaller scale by Alexander Wang, who contrasts two grey textures to create visual interest and define shape.
Visit Teknion Textiles to discover more collections.