Sound Sustainability: Discover Søuld Eelgrass
May 31, 2024
Spinneybeck is thrilled to expand its natural material collection of customizable architectural products. Eelgrass, a marine plant naturally grown off the coast of Denmark, is collected after it washes ashore and, through a fully circular manufacturing process, is pressed into durable sheets. Eelgrass offers an extraordinary option for sustainable wall panels and baffles that benefit the environment, all while bringing a warm and natural aesthetic to any space.
After years of research, Danish material manufacturer Søuld developed eelgrass mats to offer the design industry a high-performing, natural acoustic solution as an alternative to synthetic options—helping to revive Denmark’s centuries-old tradition of collecting and drying eelgrass in the process. The use of the plant in structural design dates back to the 1600s when settlers on the Danish island of Læsø would forge thick roof-thatching for their homes. In a landscape with scarce resources, eelgrass was easily accessible and abundant. Today, this natural and recyclable panel takes a modern approach to the time-honored material, using state-of-the-art science and technology while preserving this important aspect of Danish cultural heritage.
The organic texture of eelgrass imbues interiors with warmth and tactility. This marine plant has inherent traits that make it an optimal material for interiors—it brings a natural element indoors while providing excellent acoustic properties and high fire resistance. Søuld eelgrass is fully circular and can later be returned to become a second-generation Søuld product.
Søuld eelgrass acoustic panels are featured on Spinneybeck’s newest wall and suspended ceiling products, Søuld Baffle, Søuld Wall, and Søuld Wooden Joints.
Søuld + FilzFelt
While the unique character of eelgrass panels brings visual interest to any space on its own, these natural panels can also be specified with any of FilzFelt’s wool felt in over ninety colors.
About Søuld
Founded by architects Tobias Øhrstrøm and Pi Fabrin, sustainable design engineers Gunnar Agerskov and Kirsten Lynge, and eelgrass thatcher Henning Johansen, Søuld is a Danish manufacturer that provides designers, architects, and contractors with sustainable and recyclable products made from eelgrass. Søuld was founded in 2010 with a mission to offer natural and eco-friendly alternatives to traditional building materials and carry on a centuries-old practice deeply rooted in Danish culture.
“I thought that developing eelgrass products would be exciting because it would have such a strong relationship with where it comes from – the sea. I believe that the way people interact is influenced by the materials they are surrounded by.”
In Conversation With Søuld
The team at Søuld recognized the beauty and potential in eelgrass and, after a decade of research, emerged as the first company to convert the material into carbon-storing products that combine high acoustic performance with a modern aesthetic. We sat down with founder and architect Tobias Øhrstrøm to chat about transforming a centuries-old tradition, the unique and inherent characteristics of eelgrass, emerging trends in the design industry surrounding Denmark, and our shared passion for sustainability.
“It took us a while to ‘tame’ the fiber while keeping the natural character of the fibers intact in the final product. On the other hand, this is why we fell in love with this material - the inherent imperfections in the fiber and the unique aesthetic drew us to eelgrass from the start.”
