Transmaterial » wood

BBS Panels

Blaine Brownell — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 14:00:42 +0000

BBS are structural solid wood panels made of sustainably harvested, fast-growth soft wood. By laminating longitudinal and cross layers (X-LAM), the natural forces of the wood (e.g. expanding, contracting, bending) are minimized to achieve great strength and stability. The panels are used primarily for structure, but can also provide a finished, exposed surface. The BBS panels are produced through a digital fabrication process where the shop drawings are transmitted to the plant as 3D CAD files. The panels are then CNC cut and shipped directly to the construction site.

Contact: Holzbuild, Briarcliff Manor, NY, USA.
Find more information in Transmaterial 3.

Kraftplex

Blaine Brownell — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 14:00:01 +0000

Kraftplex combines the characteristics of metal, composite materials and plastics. Comprised by 100% unbleached wood fibers with no added binders or adhesives, it is a stable, flexible and durably-shapeable metal akin to metal sheets. Because Kraftplex has electrically-isolating properties, it is a good alternative to conventional plastic sheeting. It is also flexible enough that 3D shaping via deep-drawing and edge-shaping are possible. Kraftplex may be easily cut, drilled, perforated, and adhered using common woodworking tools. It can also be treated with paints, varnishes, oils, waxes, and adhesives—as well as covered with decor film and printed.

Contact: Well Ausstellungssystem GmbH, Hannover, Germany.
Find more information in Transmaterial 3.

Ply

Blaine Brownell — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 14:00:24 +0000

Ply is a sculptural wall-element made of birch wood harvested in Finland. At 0.45 mm thick, the textile-thin birch plywood layer is nearly translucent. This layer is adhered to a solid birch frame, which may be mounted to straight surfaces using a variety of methods.

Ply is available in two versions, the curvilinear Ply1 and the gentle wave profile Ply2. Mirror image tiles are also available to allow for continuous wave patterns. Ply may be assembled horizontally or vertically, and may be backlit for a dramatic effect. The standard surface is lacquered natural birch, but Ply may also be stained dark gray or natural white.

Contact: Showroom Finland Oy, Helsinki, Finland.
Find more information in Transmaterial.

Jagorta

Blaine Brownell — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 14:00:44 +0000

Jagorta is a wood veneer panel that transmits light. It consists of select veneers such as cherry, maple, or oak mounted to a translucent core with a specially developed adhesive.

As light passes through the thickness of the veneer, the natural surface structure of the wood is revealed. The panel transmits uniform light throughout the entire panel, without borders or joints. Suitable for a variety of interior applications, Jagorta is an effective mood lighting element that imparts a warmth reminiscent of a fireplace.

Contact: Jagorta Ltd., Kecskemét, Hungary.

Wave Wall

Blaine Brownell — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 14:00:44 +0000

Wave Wall is an undulating, curvilinear wall constructed of refined panels available in either continuous or alternating patterns. Wave Wall is a modular system that can be applied horizontally or vertically, and is offered in three module lengths: 1000 mm, 750 mm and 495 mm. The system is easy to install and is available in a wide range of tile finishes. Lighting from behind, front and above can create both subtle and bold effects, depending on the intensity of the lighting and the choice of tile finishes.

Contact: Wovin Wall, Mascot, NSW, Australia.
Find more information in Transmaterial 3.

Foldtex

Blaine Brownell — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 14:00:23 +0000

Timm Herok developed Foldtex as a lightweight folding material in order to challenge traditional notions of product fittings, corner connections and surface finishing techniques. Foldtex consists of at least two layers, one which is flexible and the other which is stiff. When incisions are made in the stiff layer, thus exposing the flexible layer below, a folding hinge is created at that point.

Folding grooves may be made via CNC milling, although simple folds may be made with a hand-held milling machine. Separation cuts are then completed using a cutting knife. Foldtex may be individually adapted in its strength and surface qualities through the use of veneers, layering, staining, and painting. A high finish may be achieved either before or after the milling of the template.

Contact: Foldtex, Frankfurt, Germany.
Find more information in Transmaterial.

Songwood

Blaine Brownell — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 16:00:59 +0000

Engineered Timber Resources focuses on the use of by-product wood fibers in the production of decorative wood products with the intent to limit deforestation. Songwood is a 100% recycled, FSC-certified raw material made from by-product from the furniture manufacturing and pulp industries. The wood fibers are kiln-dried, mixed with a low-VOC resin, and then compressed under 1800 tons of pressure before being cured for stability. The resulting log can then be used in the manufacturing of any wood based product, both for interiors and exteriors.

Songwood is not only very durable and hard-wearing, but also extremely stable compared with traditional wood products. In addition to the functional benefits of the product, there are also numerous aesthetic characteristics that are customizable based on the raw material inputs and the desired outcome. Songwood can also be infused with organic dyes and colorants prior to the compression, with the net result being a solid-body, integral color, that is therefore sandable.

Contact: Engineered Timber Resources, LLC, Boulder, CO, USA.
Find more information in Transmaterial 3.

QuaDror

Blaine Brownell — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 15:00:07 +0000

QuaDror is described as a new structural joint offering myriad design applications at a variety of scales. Designer Dror Benshetrit of Studio Dror unveiled this new geometrical approach at the recent Design Indaba conference in Cape Town. Recalling the strategy of the diagrid, QuaDror uses diagonal framing members to carry gravity loads while providing good resistance to lateral loads. Compelling animations on the QuaDror website allow viewers to witness planes of simple flat materials quickly transforming into elegant structures.

QuaDror’s multi-scalar application is an advantage, allowing the joint to be applied in small models, buildings, and bridges alike. Given its rapid assembly and light weight, it may also be utilized in disaster recovery housing. Perhaps the system’s greatest contribution is the convincing demonstration that form and performance are mutually beneficial.

Contact: Studio Dror, New York, NY, USA.

Laser-Cut Cork

Blaine Brownell — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 15:00:41 +0000

Laser-Cut Cork surfaces are made from the by-product of wine stopper production. Developed by Yemi Awosile, the material benefits from the natural acoustic and thermal insulating properties found in cork, and is well suited to interior design applications such as wall panels, tapestries, and room dividers. Laser-Cut Cork surfaces are available in a raw cork composite grain, glossy black, or various metallic finishes such as silver, copper, or gold. The material is also available in a variety of designs and can be custom made to suit particular needs.

Contact: Yemi Awosile, London, UK.
Find more information in Transmaterial 3.

Shelf Space

Blaine Brownell — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 14:00:05 +0000

The result of an experimental four-month collaboration with an aerospace machinery manufacturer, the fluid form of Paul Loebach’s Shelf Space pushes the limits of wood engineering and advanced machining technology. There have been vast developments in the evolution of CNC-machining technology in the last thirty years, and this product applies sophisticated modern manufacturing techniques to a traditional renewable material.

Shelf Space is made from a stack lamination of solid wood, cut into shape using a multiaxis milling machine normally used for machining aerospace parts. The decorative form is inspired by the language of eighteenth-century woodworking and the shape—nearly impossible to create with conventional tools—is designed to broaden one’s expectations of what can be called “traditional.”

Three-dimensional computer modeling facilitated the design of a precise yet fluid form. Although it took months to perfect the programming of the complex tool path, due to the incredible power of the machinery each shelf can now be made in just twenty minutes.

Contact: Paul Loebach, Brooklyn, NY, USA.
Find more information in Transmaterial 3.