by Ann Withanee — June 18, 2012—As facilities managers look to products that are ecologically sound, Shaw Contract has responded with DyeLab, whose natural dyes are derived from madder root, indigo and cochineal. DyeLab merges colors drawn from nature with texture and technique. Ancient wash and dye techniques are reinterpreted, and fabric is woven, twisted, bundled, dipped and dyed. The results, according to Shaw Contract, are unpredictable, making color discoveries unreal.
DyeLab modular carpet was awarded Gold in the Best of NeoCon 2012 competition held annually in June during the NeoCon contract furnishings event at The Merchandise Mart, Chicago.
“DyeLab is an exploration of color extracted from nature, its intricate merger with texture, and how one affects the other,” said Reesie Duncan, creative director. “The result is a carpet tile that is unpredictable, random, beautiful, and unlike anything Shaw Contract Group has previously designed.”
“Our exploration of natural dyes led to the development of an innovative dye infusion process that applies color in an irregular and organic fashion,” said John Stephens, vice president of marketing. “This process repurposes lost practices with modern technology to create ancient wash and dye techniques. The technique parallels the natural dyeing process where the outcome is unpredictable. No two Dip Dye tiles are ever precisely the same.”
DyeLab is Cradle to Cradle Silver Certified and uses premium Eco Solution Q fiber with 45 percent recycled content. All tiles feature EcoWorx backing, which is completely recyclable, are PVC (polyvinyl chloride)-free, and contain 44 percent recycled content. DyeLab contributes to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) credits, including recycled content, low-emitting materials and innovation in design.
For more information visit the Shaw Contract Group Web site, and see the list of the Best of NeoCon winners on FMLink.
