Owls Carpet Plank Collection Finds Inspiration in Birds of Prey

February 5, 2020 /3BL Media/ Owls have captured the imagination of humankind for centuries. Designed by Jason F. McLennan in collaboration with Mohawk Group, the Owls collection reinterprets the essence of these North American birds of prey through color and patterning. Inspired by their plumage, this distinctive, yet versatile commercial carpet plank features mottled shades of black, brown, tan and grey that take flight in contract interiors. A stylized visual and simple texture create intriguing, coordinating combinations across two 12" x 36" patterns: Feather and Flight.

“When Mohawk Group approached me to do a sequel to Lichen, we had to think about what would have a similar impact of drawing people into nature—but in a new way,” said McLennan. “If you are trying to create a design that works aesthetically but also works on a deep psychological level, you have to find this balance between the abstraction and the literal manifestation—the essence.”

McLennan and his team consider design from multiple perspectives. First, looking at how a product is made and its ecological footprint is vital. Mohawk Group’s continued participation in the Living Product Challenge shows the company’s commitment to responsible, holistic manufacturing. Next, on a pure aesthetic basis, the McLennan team wants these products to be beautiful and desirable. Finally, the designers seek to instill a deeper meaning into their work: a primal connection, an emotional response and a subconscious recognition.

Each style within the Owls collection contains no chemicals of concern, is carbon neutral, incorporates biophilic design principles, and creates a measurable positive impact for society.

“Birds are such an indicator of our environmental footprint on the world. With that in mind, we dug deeper into owls to truly understand and interpret their textures and patterns,” said Jackie Dettmar, vice president of design and product development at Mohawk Group. “The Owls collection represents a collaborative effort between a diverse group of people who have come together to make Mohawk’s latest nature-inspired carpet system.”

Owls meets the stringent requirements of Living Product Challenge Petal Certification and is domestically produced at Mohawk Group’s “Living Site” facility in Glasgow, Virginia. The Living Product Challenge is a product certification program, advocacy tool and philosophy created by the International Living Future Institute and defines the most advanced measure of sustainability in product manufacturing today. In using this framework, Mohawk Group ensures the collection has a net positive impact for people and the environment through innovations in the materials, manufacturing and community involvement initiatives behind the collaboration.

Owls comes standard with Red List-free Duracolor Tricor solution-dyed nylon fiber and EcoFlex NXT tile backing. Duracolor Tricor utilizes a groundbreaking modified triangular-shaped core to deliver unsurpassed stain resistance, colorfastness, durability, color clarity and enhanced soil performance. Owls integrates many of the same innovations that debuted with the Lichen collection, including lower-impact yarn systems and Pattern Perfect tufting technology, solidifying a commitment to leave a smaller footprint while extending a social “handprint.”

Click here to explore the essence of Owls.

About Mohawk Group

As the world’s leading producer and distributor of quality commercial flooring, Mohawk Group believes that better floor coverings emerge from better design, innovation, sustainability, project solutions and operational excellence. Mohawk Group addresses the unique challenges and opportunities in contract interiors with a comprehensive carpet and hard surface portfolio of all types and price points. As the commercial division of Mohawk Industries, the company has a heritage of craftsmanship that spans more than 130 years. To learn more about our full line of flooring products, please visit MohawkGroup.com.

About McLennan Design

McLennan Design, one of the world’s leading multi-disciplinary regenerative design practices, focuses on deep green outcomes in the fields of architecture, planning, consulting, and product design. The firm uses an ecological perspective to drive design creativity and innovation, reimagining and redesigning for positive environmental and social impact. Founded in 2013 by global sustainability leader and green design pioneer Jason F. McLennan and joined by partner Dale Duncan, the firm dedicates its practice to the creation of living buildings, net-zero, and regenerative projects all over the world. As the founder and creator of many of the building industry’s leading programs including the Living Building Challenge and its related programs, McLennan and his design team bring substantial knowledge and unmatched expertise to the A/E industry. The firm’s diverse and interdisciplinary set of services makes for a culture of holistic solutions and big picture thinking. Learn more at McLennan-Design.com.

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