Mary-Ann Williams was born in Cape Town, South Africa. She studied design and interior design in Cape Town and Hamburg, discovering her passion for felt as a material in 1984. Starting with hats and clothing, she eventually pivoted to creating acoustic elements and home accessories. Her innovative work has earned her numerous design accolades, including the iF Award, Green Good Design Award, and the Hessian State Prize.

From her studio in Leidersbach near Frankfurt, Williams creates acoustic elements in felt and leather featuring sculptural 3D surfaces. Her signature approach—playful minimalism—celebrates the atmosphere and tactile qualities of the material. These sculptural pieces transcend mere function: they absorb sound, introduce visual structure to living spaces, offices, hotels, and restaurants, and enhance the overall indoor environment. Consider Greener Than Grass: beyond its sound-absorbing capabilities, it functions as a floor, wall, table, or lampshade element—and also as cushions or table runners in over 40 color variations. StarFelt captivates through visual dynamism, its pattern shifting with your viewpoint. The wall panels can be enhanced with integrated lighting modules. The Starball luminaire casts subtle pools of light throughout a room. Wild Rue Plissee Origami, inspired by traditional Japanese paper-folding, brings merino wool felt's noise-absorbing properties and complete recyclability to any wall. Throughout her practice, Williams prioritizes sustainability: every piece is crafted from natural, non-toxic materials that are fully biodegradable and flame-resistant.

www.illu-stration.com

Photography Credits:

Illustration by Mary-Ann Williams

(Published in CUBE Frankfurt 01|21)