We started molo 20 years ago in a modest 800 sq. foot live/work loft. Beyond pragmatic economies, the synergies of doing creative work alongside the everyday rituals of dwelling in a home were inspiring to us as young architecture graduates. We soon found the desire to create temporary rooms within the larger room for privacy, but it was important not to detract from the open, airy feeling of the loft. A playful period of experimentation led us to invent a temporary wall system that is entirely flexible, sound absorbent, able to fold away when not in use, and aesthetically transcend its many practical qualities as a sculptural form: softwall.
The ability to spontaneously transform a space into something entirely new proved to be a scalable idea that resonated with companies around the world. Whether we realize it or not, we are in constant dialogue with the spaces around us, yet we are rarely empowered to reshape our own environment with freedom and ease. A big part of our system’s flexibility is creating intimate areas within larger open plans. That more intimate space allows for more mental and visual focus and improved acoustics.
workspace flexibility
Flexibility supports sustainability. Often, a business doesn’t know how large it will be or even where it will be in a few years. Being able to stay nimble and have furniture that you can reconfigure or repurpose and a wall system that can literally move with you and the changes in your life is incredibly helpful and an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional renovations.
We often see our own team come together to actively construct workspaces, starting each day by collaboratively building their own environments for focused and group work with softwall and benchwall room dividers, folding paper seating, and tables. molo products foster this teamwork, tapping into a natural, almost primal instinct to create shelter and define boundaries.
Witnessing the joy on people’s faces when they realize they can shape their environment is a remarkable experience. In an era of remote work transitions, offering dynamic and engaging office spaces makes the return far more enticing.
sustainability
A space that changes is a space that lives. Adaptive layouts not only enhance focus and creativity but foster a deeper connection to life around us. Adaptive design transcends mere aesthetics; it aims to create nurturing and restorative spaces.
Our dedication to sustainability is seen in our material design choices, a wall system that is 99% air, recyclable materials, paper made from wood harvested from FSC® certified (FSC® C158591) responsible sources, non-toxic fire retardants, adhesives and inks. However, the most significant aspect of sustainability comes down to how long an object will be used. Regardless of the materials, the goal of the molo soft collection is to evolve again and again, always serving a meaningful purpose.
acoustics
The molo soft collection is a symphony of sensory experience, with acoustics playing an essential role in shaping both space and atmosphere. Sound is as integral to the experience of a room as light, colour or texture. In using lighting, walls, and seating to absorb and diffuse sound, design can transform office interiors into sanctuaries of calm.
cloud softlight is a paper light design concept that creates a canopy of soft, luminous forms. In addition to diffusing light and infusing intimacy, the cloud’s honeycomb structure absorbs sound, subduing reflected noise within a space. Lit from within by energy-efficient, dimmable LEDs, with a Colour Rendering Index of 90+ CRI to ensure true colours, they provide even light ideally suited for work and living.
softwall + softblock serve as flexible acoustic panels, muting the cacophony of life and work. The internal honeycomb structure and pleated surfaces of softwall + softblock have been tested and certified for acoustic performance, breaking up reflected sound and providing acoustic absorption. After installation, they enhance speech clarity, reduce stress, and create a cocoon of serenity.
cloud softlight: cloud pendant 2700K lighting. Photo credit, Alana Paterson
decades of study
Forsythe + 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 by world leading brands, including Apple, Google, Facebook, and many more. See our client list and explore the full collection below:
