Forget perfectly predictable patterns that are serially produced and done to death. MATTER, the latest flat-woven carpet series by Snøhetta and Ege Carpets lets randomness take center stage without losing its footing. Crafted with generative code and woven using recycled yarns, these rugs feature ever-shifting designs that are subtle, organic, and deeply rooted in natural logic. The collection is a perfect of example of how the digital and the tactile can not only coexist but collaborate – unlocking new, infinite possibilities for textile design.
Each MATTER rug begins not with a sketch, but with code. Snøhetta developed a set of randomized algorithms to generate patterns that mimic the randomness found in nature. “ Nature shows us that function doesn’t require uniformity, in fact, its beauty often lies in what seems random,” notes Marius Myking, Director of Snøhetta Product design. “In our collaboration with Ege, we set out to recreate that natural logic.”
Up close, the shifting lines may appear subtle, but zoom out and their cumulative effect becomes vivid – creating tonal washes of color that feel alive and full of energy. “MATTER is an exploration of scale, craftsmanship, and technology,” explains Francesca Giulia Poli, Snøhetta Product Designer and project lead. “Rather than viewing the carpet as a single surface, we approached it as a woven landscape – built from multiple threads that can be individually manipulated. From code to pixel, pixel to thread, and thread to carpet, we investigated how micro-scale design can shape macro-scale spaces. The result is a surface that feels uniform yet constantly shifting – ever-changing as you move through the space.”
No two rugs are exactly alike, but the collection is unified by two parallel color palettes, each composed of 18 core hues. One leans muted, with soft beiges and grays; the other, more saturated, channels bold blues and greens. This duality offers designers flexibility to create rugs that shift in tone and character depending on where they’re placed – while still maintaining a cohesive visual language.
Like the natural systems that inspired it, MATTER is grounded in sustainability. Each rug is crafted from recycled yarns, minimizing waste, and woven with precision using Ege Carpets’ state-of-the-art weaving technology. The result isn’t just visually compelling but durable and long-lasting – a testament to how nature both inspires and challenges us to do better.
With MATTER, randomness isn’t recklessness – it’s an invitation to leave room for spontaneity. Beauty doesn’t always need to be calculated; sometimes, it emerges through the freedom to embrace chance.
To learn more about the MATTER collection by Snøhetta and Ege Carpets, visit snohetta.com.
Photography by Oioioi.