Material Matters: Erik Svensson, Perkins&Will
Erik Svensson, Associate at Perkins&Will, picks this month’s fine selection of go-to finishes
and materials.
Attiro
Magnetic Timber floor
As designers, we should always bear in mind that what we create will be the material library for future projects. We all love using timber floors, and magnetic timber flooring such as Attiro reduces not only installation time, but also gives true flexibility for the future. It’s important to think about what will happen to the material once the project reaches the end of its lifecycle.
Honext
Honext Board
I recently came across Honext Boards – a construction and partition board made from cellulose waste. It’s free from toxic materials such as formaldehyde and can be recyclable at the end of its life into fabulous new boards. I really like the wonderful textured natural finish the boards have, giving them a simplistic and authentic look. I’ll be following the development of this product closely.
Kvadrat
Really
Really is made from upcycled textiles and can be used for both acoustic panels and as joinery sheet material. It was created to cut down on waste and can be recycled at the end of a project’s life into new Really boards. Designers are storytellers and using materials that aren’t just beautiful, but also help shift the design industry towards a circular future will always grab my attention, as I believe that’s the story we want to tell.
Graphenstone
Ecosphere
We recently specified Graphenstone Ecosphere – a natural paint made from limestone with no VOCs and no toxic chemicals. While the paint is drying, it actively captures and locks in CO2. As we spend the majority of our time indoors, I love the idea of using a material that makes our interiors healthier.
