We recently attended the ege Carpets event with Snøhetta at IDX Munich and got a pretty fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the new Matter collection — and above all, a chance to hear just how much more can go into a carpet when you approach it beyond traditional thinking.
Because that’s exactly what sets Matter apart.
It’s not about designing a pattern that simply looks good or tiles well.
It’s about developing a surface that behaves like a system.
And that begins not in the material, but in the code.
From Code to Carpet
Snøhetta developed Matter through a generative design process.
That means: the design wasn’t drawn — it was computed.
Truly digital from the ground up — long before generative AI was even a thing. The code came first.
The material came after.
The process behind it can be summed up pretty well:
“From code to pixel, pixel to thread, thread to carpet.”
What’s fascinating about this:
The decisions happen at the smallest level — the pixel — and ultimately influence the entire surface.
Or put another way:
Many small decisions ultimately make the space.
Natural Randomness — why chance makes sense here
At the heart of the collection lies the principle of “natural randomness.”
The idea that randomness doesn’t have to be chaotic — it has its own logic.
When you look at natural systems — growth, erosion, minerals — you see exactly that: no repetition, yet a clear structure throughout.
That’s precisely the principle translated into Matter.
The surface has no classic repeat. No visible repetition.
And yet it feels calm.
That’s probably the hardest part — and here it works.
Surface instead of pattern
What strikes you immediately about Matter: it doesn’t work like a classic design.
From a distance, the surface appears almost monochromatic. Very calm, almost self-evident.
Only when you get closer do you see the depth: subtle color shifts, minimal directional changes, fine textures.
The surface constantly shifts — but so subtly that it never becomes restless.
This isn’t a pattern seeking attention. Rather, it’s a textile landscape that works in the background.
The color palette — quiet, but extremely powerful
One point that really stuck during the launch was the color palette.
Matter works with two clear directions:
a quieter palette of beige and gray tones
and a second layer with blue and green tones
A total of 18 colors each, finely coordinated with one another.
What’s interesting about this:
The colors don’t work in isolation — they function within the space.
Depending on light, materials, and surroundings, the surface’s effect changes.
At the event, we also got to look more closely at the differences between the carpets in light.
Material & Implementation with ege Carpets
The idea is one thing — the execution is another.
And that’s exactly where ege Carpets comes in.
Matter is realized as a flatwoven collection,
with a very precise, dense loop structure.
This ensures that the surface: is robust enough for large projects
while simultaneously appearing calm and high-quality.
Available as tiles, by the yard, or as rugs — flexible for any application.
And that’s important: the product doesn’t just work as a concept — it also works in real projects.
Snøhetta — why it’s designed this way
Behind Matter are several years of development — in the concept, the code, the color, and the technical execution. And you can tell.
It’s not a product that came together quickly — it’s one that was truly carefully considered.
Above all, the combination of: digital approach, textile execution, and this calm yet never boring surface. makes it something special.
Thanks to the Snøhetta team and the ege team for letting us be part of it.
It was exciting to meet part of the team and understand the process behind it.
We also shared some behind-the-scenes moments on our Instagram reel — feel free to check it out -> Hauser Office Design GmbH (@hauseroffice)
Best regards
Giulia