The Islands of Matkus
The Islands of Matkus
The Matkus shopping center in Kuopio is a meeting place where local and international brands come together. The central corridors of Matkus, on the first and second floors, needed inviting and adaptable seating and resting areas. The customer decided to turn to a local designer furniture brand Palad and the creative Architecture Studio Partanen & Lamusuo.
For the premises, the customer wanted a lounge atmosphere and furniture that is multi-purpose and easily adaptable to different uses and layouts.
In addition to the new, fresh loose furniture from the Palad standard collection, new fixed furniture was custom-made for the premises, old furniture was renovated and the atmosphere of the rest areas was softened with surface materials: this is how the Benches and Islands of Matkus were born.
The gently inviting seating areas, or the Islands of Matkus, were furnished with Palad’s organic, softly curved furniture designed for public spaces, which can withstand use year after year. At the heart of the Islands is the Palad TUMA™ furniture, which effortlessly adapts to the different needs of the space and makes it truly multi-purpose. Timeless and harmonious tones were chosen for the furniture, where shades of gray and green balance each other.
TUMA furniture can be easily moved, which enables the space to be fully adapted to different events and needs. Thanks to the furniture, the Islands of Matkus can live and change constantly. Today the space is a peaceful oasis, tomorrow a dynamic event area, and next week an inspiring space for an author visit or a product presentation.
The versatility of the large island on the first floor is enhanced by the custom-made Benches of Matkus, designed by Partanen & Lamusuo and handcrafted by Puusepänliike Heikkinen. It is an iconic meeting place that attracts playful climbing and peaceful relaxation.
During the shopping center’s events, the Benches of Matkus come alive as a place where shops, guests, and the public meet in an intimate and relaxed environment. The tiered levels of the platforms create a perfect grandstand or act as a fascinating stage.
At the heart of the Matkus Islands are Palad TUMA™ furniture pieces, which effortlessly adapt to different needs, making the space truly multifunctional: today, the area is a peaceful oasis, tomorrow it becomes a dynamic event space, and next week, it transforms into an inspiring setting for a writer’s visit or a product presentation.
TUMA™ sofas offer seats with varying seat depths, so everyone can find a comfortable place to spend a relaxing moment. Natural greenery is strongly present in the space: the soft and inviting backrests of Matkus’s TUMA sofas hide a central module in the middle composed of lively, abundant silk plants.
The stylish and practical TUMA-P™ tables enable a wide range of activities. At the tables, you can enjoy a snack, play with the children, or work on your laptop. The asymmetry of the table top gives the tables a playful look and enables the tables to be connected to different formations. The light birch shade of the table tops comes to life from the beautiful, natural wood grain patterns. The surface is finished with natural wax, which makes the tables not only beautiful but also easy to maintain.
The design of the practical Palad TUMA-R™ ottomans complements the harmonious ensemble of the Islands´ furniture. Their simple, carefully considered design blends into the atmosphere of the Islands. The oval-shaped ottomans are suitable as individual seats, or they can easily be used as seating groups with TUMA sofas and TUMA tables.
Palad furniture at Matkus Shopping Centre:
TUMA™ sofa
TUMA-P™ table
TUMA-R™ ottoman