Stephanie Forsythe at ICFF 2004 - paper softwall prototype shown above is taped to the hard walls of the booth for structural support. Early rendition without end panels. ICFF 2004 Editors Award for “Best New Designer”. Also featured: molo float tea set
2004 – molo debuted at ICFF in NYC with prototypes of the float tea lantern glass tea set and an early, incomplete prototype of what would soon become softwall. The prototype was not yet self-supporting and was held in place from behind. molo was recognized with the 2004 ICFF Editor’s Choice Award for “Best New Designer” by a jury of esteemed editors from more than twelve of the best architecture and design magazines based in Europe and North America. creative choice – it took Stephanie + Todd time and experimentation to develop their idea for a flexible partition, from prototype to the first variant of ‘softwall.’ Amongst other details, they were still finalizing the materials, dimensions and methods of allowing the partition to be abstract, monolithic and pure, without extraneous supports.
the first variation of softwall became available in January 2005. It was made with lightweight, translucent tissue paper with industrial felt ends that protected the delicate paper when stored or pulled open to its expanded form paper softwall is acquired by MoMA -
"I am very pleased to inform you that on February 15, 2005 the Acquisitions Committee for the Department of Architecture and Design agreed to include your Paper softwall in the collection. We are delighted to have this exceptional piece to display in the Museum, … Again, it is a great pleasure for us to have acquired the Paper Softwall for MoMA's Architecture and Design Collection."
first intended as abstract and luminous stand-alone sculptural objects that could be shaped to suit as a backdrop or envelop a person to create an intimate space, softwall + softblock have since become many different things to different people, ranging from architects and fashion designers to choreographers and doctors in showrooms.
the German contemporary furniture company Cor purchased the first eight softwalls for its showroom exhibition in January 2005.
softwall at the Smithsonian's Hirshhorn Museum - Jim Hodges exhibition
in 2005, the Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn Museum acquired paper softwalls to be used throughout a retrospective of the artist Jim Hodges for exhibitions. MoMA selected softwall for its exhibit, Rough Cut: Design Takes a Sharp Edge.
also in 2005, Stephanie + Todd won an INDEX Award. The biennial prize is the world’s largest for design and comes with a 100,000 Euro prize. Quote from Jury:
“softwall is an example of excellent contemporary design, building on tradition and holding the promise to renew the way we think about established definitions of space by offering flexible partitioning within our homes, offices or public spaces.
The INDEX: AWARD jury also wishes to compliment the members of the recently established design company molo for being role models to young designers. Their entrepreneurship has enabled them to bring their unique design ideas to life”
decades of study
over three decades, Forsyth + MacAllen have been studying the concept of flexible spacing making and its impact on how we live and work. Multiple iterations of the groundbreaking soft collection have been put to use and featured in over 100 institutions around the world, including the MoMA and the Nobel Prize Museum. Explore the full collection:
Photo Credit: Alana Peterson
