Architecture, acoustics and art in harmony: Digitally printed art curtains with TT2 track and T‑LOK drive system in new Basel building

Custom Textile Solutions for Architecture, Acoustics and Artistic Integration

At the new headquarters of an international pharmaceutical company on Grenzacherstrasse in Basel – designed by the renowned architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron – TÜCHLER implemented a holistic curtain system that combines blackout functionality, acoustic optimization and artistic design within an architecturally demanding environment.

At the core of the solution are custom digitally printed art curtains featuring works by internationally acclaimed artist Vivian Suter. Her vivid, gestural abstract motifs were translated onto textile surfaces. The large-scale curtains are used in auditoriums and lecture halls, providing essential blackout capability for projections while reducing reverberation thanks to their sound-absorbing properties.

Technically tailored to the architectural structure, the curtains were installed on curved TT2 tracks with seamlessly integrated T‑LOK drive units and fully connected to the KNX building automation system. Visible through the glass façade, they also shape the building’s exterior appearance – serving as a textile interface between interior design, acoustic performance and artistic expression.

Art as a Design Element in Architectural Space

The textile realisation was based on a curated selection of approximately 100 motifs by artist Vivian Suter, whose expressive colour palettes and free forms generate a strong visual presence. The image sources included scans, smartphone snapshots and professional photographs, which TÜCHLER unified into a coherent concept for large-format digital printing.

Translating the artistic content required meticulous data preparation and precise colour calibration for the substrate. Through targeted adjustments, the inherent colouring of the acoustic fabric was neutralised to preserve the original colour dynamics of the artworks on the curtains.

This form of artistic integration enables a lasting, architecturally appropriate inclusion of visual art into functional building elements – a solution that meets artistic ambition, aesthetic coherence and technical performance in equal measure.

Sound-Absorbing Curtains for Acoustic Designers and Planners

The acoustic textile used meets the requirements of Sound Absorber Class C and achieves an αw value of 0.7 – ideal for reducing reverberation in large, echo-prone spaces. These curtains thus make a key contribution to the acoustic quality of auditoriums and presentation areas – without compromising on visual design.

High-Precision Textile Printing: Data Preparation, Seam Assembly and Fabrication

From the outset, the print process demanded exceptional precision. Approximately 100 motifs by Vivian Suter – from professional photography, mobile phone snapshots and scans – were harmonised in close consultation with the artist, scaled, and technically matched to the textile base. Colour correction of the acoustic fabric was essential to ensure authentic colour reproduction.

Digital printers were calibrated using lithographic proofs to guarantee colour consistency and accuracy. Through precise colour management, the artworks were reproduced faithfully and uniformly on the fabric – meeting the artist’s expectations throughout the project.

The printed fabric panels were joined with extreme precision: seam transitions were limited to approx. 0.5 mm, making them virtually invisible – ensuring the motifs appear seamless.

Curtain fabrication was equally exact: a defined clearance of 10 mm ±2 mm from the floor was maintained, ensuring uniform pleats and maximum blackout performance – without the curtains touching the floor.

Instead of traditional hems that would disrupt the print image, a weighting cord was crocheted directly into the bottom edge – functionally effective, visually discreet, and technically sophisticated.

On-Site Precision: Curtain Installation and Final Presentation

Final installation of the artistically printed curtains in Basel was carried out by an experienced TÜCHLER team of up to nine specialists on site. Beyond installing the track systems and motor drives, the focus was on carefully preparing the finished curtains for their final presentation within the space.

Approximately 2,500 m² of curtain surface area were equipped with digitally reproduced artworks by Vivian Suter – spanning auditoriums, seminar rooms and foyer areas. Each curtain was laid out, inspected, and steam-ironed before hanging to smooth seams and ensure perfect pleating.

After installation, an additional round of steaming was performed in situ to guarantee a uniform drape and flawless surface – a key contribution to the visual impact of the interior design.

This dedication to craftsmanship down to the smallest detail resulted in a textile solution that is both functionally effective and visually compelling – meeting the highest artistic and aesthetic standards.

Smart Curtain Guidance for Advanced Architecture

The system is based on the TT2 curtain track with integrated, self-propelled T‑LOK drive units. The curved, architecturally guided rail design made visible pulling cords impractical – making the T‑LOK drive the ideal solution: quiet, fully integrated, and precisely controllable.

Power is supplied via a flat cable discreetly routed along the upper curtain edge. The entire control system is KNX-compatible, fully integrated into the building automation system, offering maximum design flexibility and high technical performance.