The brand’s journey began in 1926, in Montblanc, Tarragona, where Josep Maria Sans Amill, its founder, was born. While studying in Barcelona, Josep Maria made a bet with his classmates that he could create a machine to automate the linking of chains. At the same time, a local bakery owner shared his summer dilemma of flies filling the place when he left the doors open to ventilate. Inspired by these challenges, Josep Maria developed the first iron curtains for doors, initially designed to keep bugs out. These curtains quickly gained popularity in commercial spaces and private homes throughout the Mediterranean region.
Decades later, his son, Josep Maria Sans Folch, conducted thorough research on raw materials and innovated by designing new links and refining techniques for working with anodized aluminum. This enabled a wide range of colors and the ability to reproduce intricate patterns and designs. His wife, Josefina Esplugas, played a key role in these advancements.
Entering the new millennium, following intense research and development work, Kriskadecor’s aluminum chains transitioned from household and commercial use to adorning prominent hotels and buildings worldwide. A notable early achievement was Barcelona’s Casa Camper hotel, designed by renowned Catalan architect Fernando Amat. From there, brands such as Google, Martini, Kawasaki, and Marriott, alongside esteemed architects and designers like Philippe Starck, Patricia Urquiola, and Kengo Kuma, entrusted Kriskadecor to transform their projects, including the architectural intervention at Gaudí’s Casa Batlló.
Today, the company is helmed by the third generation of the Sans family, who have continued their tradition of innovation. They have expanded into exterior cladding with aluminum chains and established a second office in the United States.
Innovation, Customization, Customer Focus, and Design
Since its establishment, the company has prioritized innovation, customization, and customer service.
Kriskadecor specializes in creating fully personalized projects using aluminum links for architects and designers, including space dividers, walls, ceilings, lighting elements, exterior cladding, and special structures. The versatility of the material enables them to customize installations according to color, shape, and dimensions.
Aluminum chains are a blank canvas for interior designers and architects. Through a history marked by continuous innovation, Kriskadecor has developed advanced technologies that now offer a wide range of applications: from expansive monochromatic surfaces to designs capable of reproducing any image or pattern.
Additionally, the technical team guides clients throughout the entire process to ensure optimal results for their ideas. The spirit of the company’s founder, grandpa Josep Maria Sans Amill, remains. As he used to say, “There’s nothing that can’t be done; you just need to find the way.”Since 2014, Kriskadecor has fostered collaborations with external designers, notably Claire Davies, to deepen connections within the design community. Over time, they have integrated creations from designers such as José Manuel Ferrero from estudi{H}ac, UON Studio, Luis Eslava, Yonoh, and Crea Product Design into their product catalog.
“We feel that it is important to continue in this direction as these partnerships inspire new products and patterns for future projects. They also offer a compelling blend of visibility, prestige, innovation, quality, and uniqueness, ultimately enhancing our commercial success and bolstering our position in the market,” company sources say.
Best Sellers and Latest Collections
Their flagship products are ceiling installations, enabling the creation of a wide range of shapes and textures. From elegant waves and parallel structures to striking artistic figures and volumes that transform any space. They can even replicate the effect of rain, offering a uniquely visual experience.
Among their most recent collections, WEAVING stands out, launched at the latest edition of Salone del Mobile Milano. This collection, crafted by José Manuel Ferrero of estudi{H}ac, draws inspiration from the captivating realm of fabrics and their production techniques. It features 14 designs that intricately weave threads using a pixel system at varying scales, resulting in mesmerizing three-dimensional optical effects that interact dynamically with light, color, and link finishes.
Marketing
Kriskadecor's marketing is managed primarily from their headquarters in Montblanc, supported by a network of agents and exclusive distributors in every country, on every continent. The company also leverages digital platforms like Archiproducts, ArchDaily, and Material Bank to reach a worldwide audience.
For influencers interested in the chains, they also offer robust design tools, including 2D and 3D files, CADs, BIMs, and a variety of textures, ensuring that their products can be integrated into design renders.
Internationalization
Kriskadecor exports 86% of its production to over 90 countries, which has enabled the company to adapt to various scenarios and cultures. Their main markets outside Spain include the United States, Germany, Australia, Italy, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, France, and the United Arab Emirates. They are also seeking to expand into countries such as Japan, Saudi Arabia, and Mexico. And the company has a subsidiary in Miami, USA.
Aluminum curtains feature in numerous projects worldwide. Notably, the ceiling at the Westfield Mall of the Netherlands, the largest shopping center in the Netherlands, includes 30 curved curtains that mimic the movement of air and add warmth to the Dining Plaza. This project required 3020 square meters of chain, equivalent to 235,000 linear meters, or 235 kilometers, enough to span the entire length of the Netherlands.
Another impressive installation is the ceiling of the Swansea Arena Stadium in Wales, United Kingdom. Custom-made and inspired by ballet tutus, it captures the ethereal nature of the design. Like the tulle in ballerina costumes, Kriskadecor’s ceiling is translucent, light, and airy. This project required 1647 square meters of chain.
In America, at Santiago’s Arturo Merino Benítez Airport in Chile, the new LATAM Airlines VIP Lounge features a striking design with three concentric cylinders of varying heights floating above the bar. Next to the dining area, there are two pergolas adorned with hexagonal prism covers, some concentric, unifying the space and creating an immersive ambiance.
Another highlight is the exterior cladding of the ANÉMONE student residence by the Kley group in Montpellier, France. To reduce the carbon footprint typically generated by massive cladding, the entire 10-story building is wrapped in a double skin of aluminum chains. These chains filter sunlight and provide an intimate screen, protecting from direct public view.
Soon, the renovated Heinemann Duty Free shops in terminals 2 and 3 of Sydney Airport, Australia, will be unveiled. This new commercial space will be bright, casual, and relaxed, with a design that plays with reflections and transparency. Organic lines will guide shoppers on a fluid and immersive journey. The renovation required 1128 square meters of chain, with 500 square meters for the sides of the terminal 2 hall and 628 square meters for the ceiling of terminal 3.