Wood In Architecture Issue 2, 2022

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FLOORING Nature and innovation transform laminate flooring Over the past two years of the ebbs and flows of the pandemic, consumption patterns and market trends have followed the same fluctuations. Consumers now strive for stability and authenticity in interior design: nature continues to be a source of inspiration, inviting itself into customers’ homes through an array of bright, warm colours and surfaces that imitate the aesthetics of wood. In vogue are light beiges, greyish tones, warm browns, and sand shades that are coupled with textures inspired by timber and stone. These visual choices signify a deeper shift in consumer choices, marked by the rising interest in environmentally friendly solutions that provide comfort. NO SPACE FOR THE SHALLOW The topic of healthy living is becoming increasingly important. References to nature in the design and wood-based materials used to produce floorings are therefore a way for consumers to get back to basics and create a protective cocoon against external stress and changing situations. This new approach is encapsulated by the idea of “deliberate restraint”, where there is an effort on the customers’ part to move away from maximalist and flashy interiors, opting for a minimalist approach instead. Interiors have been influenced by the “Japandi” design that combines Scandinavian functionality with Japanese rustic minimalism to create a feeling of purity, sobriety, and pragmatism, leaving little room for what is superfluous. The focus is now on simplicity and natural elements to offer customers the safest and cosiest space possible. These elements enhance comfort, yet design is not everything. Nowadays, customers expect flooring to meet additional requirements, such as quality, performance and safety. SUSTAINABILITY AT THE FOREFRONT Evolving environmental challenges and the ongoing pandemic have created growing concerns for more sustainability and new models of production and consumption. Being eco-friendly is not enough anymore. The 54 WOOD IN ARCHITECTURE • ISSUE 2 – 2022
FLOORING pandemic prompted consumers to reflect on the state of the globalised world order and on the fragility of supply chains. Customers want long-lasting flooring that is natural to the eye, sustainable for the planet and with a strong lifecycle. The demand for high-quality and environmentally friendly products has now become a mainstay for customer choices. This includes eco-conscious production as well as sustainable processes and certified materials that ensure healthy living and high indoor air quality. 1 It is also a matter of concern for European policy makers. The New European Bauhaus Initiative launched by the European Commission aims to push for a better quality of life, starting from sustainable, circular and less carbon-intensive buildings. As a sustainably produced and procured wood-based building material, laminate flooring will help to meet these goals for the benefit of all consumers in Europe and beyond. MEETING SUSTAINABILITY EXPECTATIONS The members of the European Producers of Laminate Flooring (EPLF), an association of laminate flooring producers in Europe and their suppliers, also make the effort to improve the eco-consciousness and sustainability of their production. They do so by sourcing local wood to reduce the impact of transport and of CO2 emissions in the supply chain. These efforts bring producers one step closer to achieving carbon-neutrality by 2050, all while preserving the planet and resources, and supporting local economic growth. Laminate has positive values for primary energy consumption and global warming potential. It also performs well when it comes to indoor air quality assessment. To meet the goals of the circular economy, producers are thinking holistically about the lifecycle assessment of laminate products. The EPLF believes that the production of laminate flooring can meet high environmental standards. Modern production facilities are subject to strict emissions and environmental standards, with many facilities having their own energy and heating cycles. GREEN ACROSS THE LIFECYCLE However, to make a product truly sustainable, ecological production is just the first step — one must also consider longevity of the product and potential for green disposal. While the construction sector tends to be considered resource-intensive, laminate is made of up to 80% natural products, mostly consisting of wood, one of the most sustainable and renewable raw materials on the planet. It is also ecologically produced without the addition of pesticides, organic chlorine, or compounds of hazardous heavy metals, making it easier to dispose. Laminate flooring is therefore light on resources and recyclable. Furthermore, the wood used to make laminate floors comes mainly from domestic and sustainably managed forests, thus minimising timber exports. Finally, the production process uses logs but also thinning material from forests and wood waste from the sawmill industry, thus lessening the environmental impact even further. It can therefore be said that laminate flooring offers a lifecycle advantage, while also building a circular economy. ECO SOLUTIONS MAKE LAMINATE MORE VERSATILE On top of being easy to recycle, laminate also has a low carbon footprint, contributing to society’s current decarbonisation strategy. Indeed, laminate stores about 8.6kg of carbon in 1m². Nowadays, an average living room of 20m² stores as much carbon as a fossil-powered car generates over a 1,500km journey at 5l per 100km, according to the Bavarian State Office for the Environment. 2 To make the product last as long as possible, producers are also investing in new research to develop advanced technological solutions, such as waterresistant qualities. These types of floorings offer moisture resistance, robustness, and therefore ideal durability. It also means that laminate floors are no longer simply relegated to the bedroom or living room — they can now also be used in kitchens, bathrooms as well as entrance areas and hallways. EPLF members see this expansion as an opportunity to meet the needs of consumers across the globe. WIA 1 According to EPLF, laminate performs well when it comes to indoor air quality assessment 2 Laminate flooring can now be used in bathrooms WOOD IN ARCHITECTURE • ISSUE 2 – 2022 55
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www.panelsfurnitureasia.com ISSUE 2
Page 5 and 6: CONTENTS 04 Editor’s Note 06 News
Page 8 and 9: NEWS A SEAT AT THE TABLE: AHEC AWAR
Page 10 and 11: NEWS 3D VIEWER & AR FEATURE: COOHOM
Page 12 and 13: NEWS AURECON INTRODUCES ROBOTIC TEC
Page 14 and 15: NEWS HENKEL INVESTS IN HARDWOOD TEC
Page 16 and 17: BIG PICTURE Nature and playgrounds:
Page 18 and 19: BIG PICTURE The filtering process i
Page 20 and 21: BIG PICTURE 1 Creating new plays am
Page 22 and 23: BIG PICTURE 1 The architecture team
Page 24 and 25: BIG PICTURE Inspiring comfort and e
Page 26 and 27: BIG PICTURE Back to the natural wor
Page 28 and 29: MARKET REPORT Wood-clad frames are
Page 30 and 31: SUSTAINABILITY Modern, flexible and
Page 32 and 33: SUSTAINABILITY Wood was selected as
Page 34 and 35: MATERIALS AND TECHNOLOGY 1 2 1 The
Page 36 and 37: MATERIALS AND TECHNOLOGY Addressing
Page 38 and 39: ENGINEERED WOOD Recycled CLT: An af
Page 40 and 41: ENGINEERED WOOD Reaching new height
Page 42 and 43: DESIGN “Inspired by everyday live
Page 44 and 45: DESIGN Bringing quality hospitality
Page 46 and 47: DESIGN The Royal Park Canvas Sappor
Page 48 and 49: STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS Latticed timber
Page 50 and 51: STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS Coca-Cola Stage
Page 52 and 53: STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS 1 2 6 mock up s
Page 54 and 55: FLOORING 1 1 Junckers used its Blac
Page 58 and 59: FIT-OUTS Yuntai Ice Chrysanthemum d
Page 60 and 61: FIT-OUTS To proceed with the constr
Page 62 and 63: SHOW REVIEW 1 2 3 1 Forest Region S
Page 64 and 65: SHOW REVIEW FROM THE GROUND “The
Page 66 and 67: ADVERTISERS’ INDEX ADVERTISERS’
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Wood In Architecture Issue 2, 2022

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