A clear understanding of the scheme

Whether it’s materials, lighting, colours, or furniture, seeing the scheme in 3D gives a more realistic representation and helps clients to explore different elements in the design before committing to them.

More collaborative

At Lewis Knox everything we do is centred around collaboration. 3D visualisation helps us to build a deeper relationship with clients and bring them into the design process. It makes it easier for clients to engage at different stages, to give detailed feedback, and to trust the process.

Better decision-making

And when you can see things in detail it leads to better – and faster decision making. Seeing the impact of choices around layout, materials, palette in a 3D visualisation helps to anticipate challenges and mitigates problems down the line.

This is particularly useful when developing bespoke pieces. It’s hard to see in 2D the functionality of a bespoke kitchen for example, but a 3D visualisation allows clients to see how individual pieces fit together and work.

No surprises

3D bridges the gap between expectation and reality. When everyone has a detailed and realistic understanding of every aspect of the design – and from every angle – there are no surprises when the project starts to take shape.

“We’re working on a large-scale residential project at the moment and while the clients loved the scheme in 2D it was on a different level in 3D. She was so happy to see her dream dressing room in three dimensions that there were almost tears!” – Simon Knox, Founder & Interior Architect

No AI: the future in 3D?

We’re always looking for new ways to be creative and to collaborate with clients – and that includes AI. There is definitely potential in the future for AI to play a role in creating 3D visualisations, but the technology isn’t there yet. While from an initial concept perspective we do use Midjourney to explore initial ideas and trends with clients when it comes to architectural accuracy there are too many handrails flying into walls and disappearing staircases in current software.

Got a project you want to discuss? Interested to see your vision in 3D? We’d love to hear from you. Call us at the studio on 01829 271585 or drop us an email: contact@lewisknox.co.uk.

If you’d like to feature your news or stories on SBID.org, get in touch to find out more. 

If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.

If you’d like to feature your news or stories on SBID.org, get in touch to find out more. 

If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.

How do your products and services enhance interior design projects?

MGL Projects enhances interior design projects through a comprehensive suite of services that ensure seamless integration and high-quality outcomes. We create innovative concept designs and detailed drawings that align with the client’s vision, ensuring effective space utilisation. Our project management oversees the entire lifecycle, reducing complexity and maintaining schedules and budgets. By managing the complete design and build process, we ensure the design intent is preserved throughout construction. We tailor each project to the client’s needs, creating unique environments that reflect their brand and personality. Additionally, our commitment to sustainability and rigorous health and safety standards further enhances the value and appeal of the interior spaces we create.

What value does your specialist sector add to the industry?

MGL Projects adds significant value to the design and build industry through our specialised approach and comprehensive services. Our expertise in creating tailored environments for commercial, retail, and residential sectors ensures that each project meets the unique needs of our clients. By offering a full range of services—from concept design and detailed drawings to project management and complete build solutions—we streamline the process, reducing complexity and enhancing efficiency. Our commitment to quality, sustainability, and health and safety sets us apart. We uphold rigorous standards, promote eco-friendly practices, and ensure safe working conditions, benefitting our clients and contributing positively to the industry. Additionally, our ability to integrate various elements of a project under one roof simplifies communication and coordination, leading to smoother project execution and higher client satisfaction.

How do you work with interior designers?

MGL Projects collaborates closely with interior designers to ensure that every project reflects the client’s vision and meets high standards of quality and functionality. Our process begins with detailed consultations to understand the design intent and specific requirements. We then integrate these insights into our concept designs, detailed drawings, and space planning. Throughout the project lifecycle, we maintain open communication with interior designers, ensuring that their creative input is seamlessly incorporated into the construction process. Our project management team coordinates all aspects, from material selection to final finishes, ensuring that the design is executed precisely as envisioned. This collaborative approach fosters innovation, enhances efficiency, and results in beautifully crafted spaces that exceed client expectations.

What has been your most significant company highlight or success from the past year?

MGL Projects’ most significant highlight from the past year has been winning the design pitch for the comprehensive refurbishment of the John Warner Sports Centre, Hertfordshire. This achievement underscores our expertise in creating innovative and functional design solutions. Our winning proposal focused on modernising the facility to enhance its commercial capabilities and energy efficiency. Key design elements included relocating the coffee shop and play area to the ground floor, expanding the gym, and creating dedicated studio spaces for yoga and Pilates. We also proposed advanced energy-efficient systems, such as DALI lighting controls and upgraded AC and ventilation systems. This success not only highlights our design prowess but also our commitment to delivering sustainable and client-focused solutions.

How do you see the interior design industry evolving in the year ahead?

In 2025, the interior design industry will focus on sustainability, with eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient systems becoming standard. Maximalism will gain popularity, featuring bold colours and eclectic patterns. Curved and organic shapes in furniture will add a sense of fluidity to spaces. The concept of “quiet luxury” will emphasise high-quality, understated elegance. Tech integration will continue to rise, with smart home systems enhancing convenience. Additionally, the blending of living, working, and recreational spaces will reflect modern lifestyle changes, creating multifunctional environments that cater to diverse needs.

If you’d like to feature your news or stories on SBID.org, get in touch to find out more. 

If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.

How do your products and services enhance interior design projects?

If your clients are asking about how technology can be integrated within your interior design, then, you don’t have to be an expert, you just need to know where to find one.

CEDIA is built upon industry leading education and certification, and cutting-edge technology training to ensure that CEDIA members are well-placed to help designers include technology effectively and elegantly within their designs.

CEDIA offers a Finder Service on its website. This allows interior designers to locate their nearest Smart Home Professional.

What value does your specialist sector add to the industry?

A CEDIA smart home professional will make sure that the technology within a property is professionally designed and installed with systems integrated to optimise comfort, performance, reliability and ease of use.

They will also deliver a system that is perfectly attuned to the client’s lifestyle and family needs, and ensure that it blends with the interior design scheme within the home.

How do you work with interior designers?

Integrating smart home technology for a secure and easy to use experience, and without compromising the home’s décor, demands the skills of a professional — someone who has the technical ability to bring everything together in a synergistic ‘whole home’ experience. This is where CEDIA members are your perfect professional partner.

Whether your client is building from scratch or renovating their home, it’s important to bring a CEDIA member onto the project design team early to provide expert advice and the necessary system design and planning skills. They understand that technology in the home is a significant investment and will be able to advise on the smart home solutions that are right for your scheme and your client’s lifestyle.

They are also the best-informed professionals and trained in the latest technologies, design, project management, and installation techniques to ensure the best possible professional smart home for your project.

What has been your most significant company highlight or success from the past year?

CEDIA offers an extensive range of RIBA accredited CPD courses to help interior designers understand how they can incorporate technology successfully into their schemes. These cover everything from an introduction to the smart home to outdoor entertainment and from cinema and media room design to lighting control. More information can be found here.

Another highlight is the CEDIA Smart Home Awards which celebrate professionalism and excellence within the smart home profession. Interior designers can be inspired to kick-start their next project and find ideas and potential solutions to common interior design challenges when working with technology. Click here to find out more.

What are the latest trends you’ve noticed in your client’s requests?

The 2023 Professional Smart Home Market Analysis from CEDIA gives a fascinating insight into the likely direction of this fast-growing sector. The four business categories expected to grow the most in 2024 are home cinema, media rooms, outdoor entertainment systems, and lighting/shading.

As homeowners experience the fantastic possibilities of a professionally installed entertainment space at home, alongside the rise of streaming technology, private cinema rooms are becoming sought after by more and more people. The picture quality delivered by native 4K projection systems is quite breathtaking and supported by the performance of exceptional immersive sound systems. The result is a visceral, emotional, and completely immersive connection with big screen movie, serial, or sports watching that is just incredible.

It’s clear that the home is now a multi-functional space that provides a place of rest and relaxation as well as a secure and practical home office, a learning environment, a cinema, gaming room and fitness suite.

A professionally installed smart home taps into this new way of life, by enabling multi-purpose use within the one space. Take media rooms as an example. These are versatile, multi-media and multi-functional spaces that can work as a home working environment during the day, but also provide a great area for TV viewing, listening to music, movie-watching on a drop-down screen and projector system or children’s gaming at other times. Their popularity is growing. Media room design and installation requires the services of professional smart home integration companies to make sure that the technology can deliver on the high-level versatility, reliability and ease of use benefits they demand.

We’re also seeing growth in outdoor lighting and entertainment systems. This technology helps people to be sociable and connect with their garden spaces in a positive way. Smart home lighting and entertainment allows your clients to use their outdoor spaces for longer – and in more ways – than ever before. Technology here also brings significant wellness and mental health benefits to consumers who are better able to connect with the outdoors, at home.

Meanwhile, smart lighting and shading is another major growth area. As well as delivering energy efficiency using dimming technology and location sensors, lighting control systems can create beautiful lighting scenes, designed for specific activities, or to highlight the beautiful interior design, architecture, or decoration of a home. Lighting can also be used to enhance the natural energy cycles of the human body – the so-called circadian rhythm – by mimicking the intensity and colour of the sun at different times of day, to help homeowners feel energised or relaxed, and support better sleep. Smart shading can have not only significant comfort benefits for customers, but can also help with energy efficiency of a home, controlling the climate by blocking heat from the sun, or opening to reap the benefits of the sun’s thermal energy.

Wellness touches every facet of the home and we see it becoming more and more important in the future. Homeowners are actively seeking solutions that can enhance air quality, optimise lighting, control temperature and manage humidity to create an environment that boosts physical and mental health.

How do you see the interior design industry evolving in the year ahead?

As more and more consumers embrace integrated technology into their home and lifestyle, so we see our industry collaborating much more closely with interior designers.

Working together, we can create beautifully elegant interiors and amazing experiences enabled by professionally installed and integrated technology. It’s an exciting time!

Is there anything new you are excited to be working on?

We’re excited to continue to educate interior designers on the many ways that technology can enhance the lifestyle of their customers. Whether through inspirational case studies, video content, or CPD classes, CEDIA is constantly analysing the most important industry trends, and working to create ways to communicate these to key partners is the residential design and build industries.

If you’d like to feature your news or stories on SBID.org, get in touch to find out more. 

If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.

If you’d like to feature your news or stories on SBID.org, get in touch to find out more. 

If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.

What does designing a retail space in the modern era look like? Online shopping is at an all-time high, so how do you offer your customers the convenience they’ve come to expect with the human connection they so desperately crave?

The answer is balance.

And such balance is something being carefully created by the folks at River Island, a storied fashion brand that’s been delivering elevated looks to the streets of Britain for over half a century.

Innovative Technologies, Improved Customer Experience

With roots on the prestigious Kings Road of London, River Island now has over 250 locations across the UK, and in addition to trending fashions, River Island also has its hand in trending technologies.

River Island’s solution to creating exciting in-person shopping experiences comes in the form of River Studios. This concept “introduces a modernised take on the retailer’s brand while paying homage to its craftsmanship and family business culture,” per Retail Focus.

The most interesting aspect of River Island is “Chloe,” an AI styling system that personalises customers’ shopping experience. The clothing found in River Studios will feature washable tags that will register with Chloe through mounted touch screens throughout the retail space and changing rooms, helping shoppers find more of what they love.

Additionally, a Digital Click and Collect point using Chloe’s computer systems creates a faster way for customers to find the exact pieces of clothing they’re looking for.

This technology, blended with the advantages of in-person shopping — being able to try on clothes, seeing fabrics in person, and participating in a curated space — will create a new feel for the brand’s retail locations.

“Retail is at its best when it’s evolving and adapting to best suit the needs of shoppers, and we’re no different. River Studios delivers a modern, seamless experience fit for the high street of today,” Will Kernan, River Island CEO, told Retail Focus.

Creating the Retail Spaces of the Future with Vectorworks Architect

Technology-focused storefronts for the River Island brand will be designed by Hannah Boulter using Vectorworks Architect. Boulter has long leaned on Vectorworks Architect to aid in her design work for River Island, mainly using 2D drawings to plan out new stores and renovations to existing stores, in addition to adding the Chloe system and changing room touch screens.

But as the company pushes to improve its retail offerings, she’s also looking to improve how she uses the software. Boulter is now working with Kesoon Chance, Vectorworks senior industry specialist – interiors, to use Vectorworks’ data-centric features for a more automated design process.

With tools like custom record formats, data tags, and reports, Boulter will be able to streamline how she designs in Vectorworks, just like how River Island is improving the shopping experience for their customers.

“Kesoon and I went over things like our merchandise fixtures around the store,” said Boulter, “and each fixture has a typical number of arms. Before, we’d send the design to our manufacturer, and they’d go around and have to count all the fixtures by hand. There’s so much room for human error.”

Now, Boulter and her River Island team have a formula that quickly calculates the number of arms for each merchandise fixture and automatically tabulates them into a table to share with manufacturers.

To learn more about how to use data management features in Vectorworks Architect, click here.

Learn More About Designing Influential Retail Spaces

Want to design modern, engaging retail spaces like River Island’s? Look no further than this webinar, “Data-Driven 3D Modelling for Interiors.”

In this presentation — inspired by an elegant retail interiors project located in Tokyo by designers Mana & Takashi Kobayashi, IMA Inc. — Luis M. Ruiz, interior associate AIA, will discuss how you can increase your efficiency and win more work with an integrated data-driven 3D modelling process.

Your workflow is no longer just about providing 2D drawings and details; great visualisations and smart take-offs can all be a part of your design process. BIM for interiors is a more thoughtful way to design, organise, and face today’s challenges in the industry.

Click here to watch the webinar for free.

If you’d like to feature your news or stories on SBID.org, get in touch to find out more. 

If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.

What are the origins of the brand?

Since its founding in 1985, Vectorworks’ software has always been a 3D modelling program devoted to helping designers express their visions more clearly to their clients and collaborators and to design without limits.

From the beginning, Vectorworks has played a critical role in the CAD field, having created one of the very first CAD programs, one of the first 3D modelling programs, the most successful CAD software for the Mac OS, and the first cross-platform CAD application to market. Vectorworks was also one of the first in the design industry to introduce BIM capabilities to our software offerings and was the first major BIM authoring platform to run natively on Apple’s M1 Family of Chips.

Today Vectorworks has evolved into a sophisticated suite of products that address a wide range of needs, from fundamental drafting and modelling to advanced design, documentation, and analysis.

How do your products and services enhance interior design projects?

Our product, Vectorworks Architect, allows interior designers to collaborate with other project stakeholders in one central platform, minimising errors that can occur when transferring between various platforms and software programs.

Vectorworks Architect also provides interior designers with built-in templates and reports to assist with not only commencing projects but also with the ease of extracting relevant and needed information.

The simplicity of the interface allows for the incorporation of plug-in tools from a wide range of partners to make the design process a complete one. From space planning layouts, design intent drawings, and construction drawings to spreadsheets and rendering capabilities, Vectorworks Architect includes a wide range of resources, ensuring you have the best possible opportunity to convey your design idea to your customer.

What value does your specialist sector add to the industry?

Vectorworks’ software offers designers new tools and resources built on cutting-edge technology. These advances allow users to showcase their designs to clients in new and exciting ways. For instance, our recently updated Nomad mobile app features Apple’s room scanning framework, RoomPlan, allowing users to quickly scan an existing room layout using their iOS mobile device to create a robust reality capture that is accessible and easy to use. Plus, presentations for tours and boards created in Vectorworks Cloud Services can be shared with collaborators and clients with a QR code, link, or email.

Vectorworks offers improved accuracy throughout the full design process compared to older, traditional processes. Data management, visualisation, and revisions are all simplified by offering and centralising everything in one comprehensive program.

In addition, Vectorworks is known for its flexible approach to designing, with a wide range of modelling capabilities such as history modelling, Nurbs, subdivision, and parametric tools capabilities. Designers can spend more time designing without letting their software or tools hinder their creativity.

How do you work with interior designers?

As a company, we work with interior designers in many ways, and as an industry specialist, I have the chance to speak to designers on a regular basis. We have online and in-person training opportunities from one on one to group sessions.  Vectorworks University also allows designers to learn on their own schedule and obtain necessary certifications.

For companies that are transitioning to Vectorworks, we also over a tailored approach with support to get the workforce up and running in a very efficient way through consultancy.

By joining organisations such as SBID and attending tradeshows, we frequently network with designers from various sectors, such as residential, retail, hospitality, commercial, and more. It gives us a chance to hear feedback and ensures our software is always evolving to include new features.

To conclude, as one of our company’s core values, inclusion is something we continue to strive to promote and foster. As part of this, our DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) Committee is dedicated to supporting the interiors sector by sponsoring or donating to charities and initiatives looking to improve access to this industry for all individuals. For example, so far, we have worked with the United in Design Charity, and we continue to remain open to additional opportunities to get involved and give back.

What has been your most significant company highlight or success from the past year?

It’s very hard to select just one highlight as we’ve had many exciting developments over the past year. We launched the latest version of our software, Vectorworks 2023, which focused on reengineering some of the core architectural tools, expanding our interoperability with additional file format imports, and offering additional modelling capabilities for quicker design creation.

The launch of this release also included a customer Design Day event at Euston Square, London. This event offered designers the opportunity to speak directly to Vectorworks CEO Dr. Biplab Sarkar and other executives about their experience with the software.

In addition, we launched our Vectorworks Embodied Carbon Calculator (VECC) to assist designers in their steps to design and execute more sustainable projects.

We also successfully changed our purchasing options to subscriptions, giving customers the freedom to manage their licences as their workload pauses or expands.

The list continues, however, the final highlight I would like to mention is our sixth Vectorworks Design Scholarship. There were over 1,000 submissions and scholarships were awarded to 30 students for 22 projects in the architecture, interior design, landscape, and entertainment industries.

The winning project of this year’s grand prize was interiors focused, with Michelle Wanitzek taking home the coveted Richard Diehl Award for her project ‘Nomad Coworking.’

What are the latest trends you’ve noticed in your client’s requests?

In the past year, there were a lot of requests for Crittall openings; doors and windows, and an increase in setting up company standards to improve efficiency.

However, one of the latest trends I have noticed this year is a demand for extracting data from a CAD/BIM model.

Once the designer has conceptualised their project within Vectorworks, with custom data attached and object parameters set, exporting the necessary information to create types or reports, schedules, and legends is fairly straightforward.

We currently have many tutorials and webinars focused on the topic of data within Vectorworks University for those who want to elevate to the next step.

How do you see the interior design industry evolving in the year ahead?

There has been a lot of discussion regarding reducing our carbon footprint in all the various industries we support, and the interiors section is no different; whether it’s at a tradeshow or through a customer project – I can see that there is an emphasis on doing better for the planet and making a difference, with a circular design; reusing, recycling and innovating new products from waste. There is a sense of urgency regarding sustainability, and I believe this will continue.

In addition, we are still recovering from the pandemic and developing new ways of living and working. There is also a need to create spaces that sustain an excellent quality of well-being and wellness. So, whether the focus is on air, light quality or just making sure that there is a varied layout option to suit the different business and social needs, adaptability and flexibility are key.

Is there anything new you are excited to be working on?

We recently transitioned our purchasing options to subscription licences, which can be purchased directly from our website. This is extremely exciting because we have the opportunity to release new tools and features more frequently.  Not only that, but this has been a popular request from freelancers and sole practitioners over the past several years. Now, these designers can factor the lower subscription fees directly into their business structure as they work on various projects.

Moreover, at the moment, there seems to be a real buzz around the hospitality and retail industries and using those industries to drive consumers back out. This is especially exciting for me as I will be creating a new example file for designers in these sectors with specific tips and tricks so that they can continue to design as effectively as possible.

For other sectors, there are also example files on Vectorworks University, so I encourage everyone to explore those resources.

What does being an SBID Accredited Industry Partner mean to you?

As an individual and an interior architect, the SBID offers a wide range of network opportunities that allow me to be among like-minded people and discuss topics that affect our industry.

As a company, it means a lot to support and maintain the quality of the industry by offering high-caliber CPDs and training amongst the members.

If you’d like to feature your project news here, get in touch to find out more. 

If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.

Implementing 3D and Information Modeling for Impressive Results

The decision to take a more wholistic approach to her firm’s design workflow was a result of Raynauld attending Vectorworks’ 2018 Design Summit, claiming that she realized she was only using about ten percent of the software. “I got frustrated not being able to use every aspect of Vectorworks.”

Now, Raynauld and her team are pushing the software where she wants it to go, creating 3D files with greater levels of detail, data, and documentation.

“Everything is so much easier in 3D,” said Raynauld, citing a desire to render beautifully and better sell projects to clients. “Not everybody has the capacity to bring a 3D model into their mind.”

Raynauld described the enhanced visuals of her new 3D models with colorful words like “warmth” and “candy.” No longer does she have to simply hope clients feel attached to a cold 2D floorplan.

These little bits of “candy” are added to viewports that are used to present all the visual and informational details that compose a design. Renderings, images, samples, tables, worksheets, and other forms of information can be added to these viewports — creating a fully-fleshed out version of Raynauld’s design intent.

“Key plans” also exist in Raynauld’s viewports, indicating which floor of a building the viewer is currently seeing. This is just another example of how you can add detailed, graphical information to your documents, and, as the designer points out, this kind of inclusion wouldn’t be possible without a 3D BIM model.

Collaborating with Architects, Engineers, and More using Vectorworks

With their larger projects especially, Raynauld and her staff must collaborate with architects, engineers, and other consultants to deliver a coordinated interior solution.

And Raynauld is in good hands — Vectorworks Architect has a wide range of import options that includes DWG files.

Raynauld and her team reference DWG files into Vectorworks, using the reference as a background that informs their work. Once they complete the first design iteration, the team exports the file to DWG for use by consultants. The exported DWG file contains valuable project information and coordination markers.

The next step, she indicated, was maximizing the use of consultant files. “I wanted to get more from the models that [the collaborators] were sending me,” she said.

“I’m motivated by my work,” said Raynauld. “So, I’m motivated to advance and improve my BIM capacity. It has a direct impact on our rendering skills and everything that brings the ‘wow’ effect to the interior design.”

Nine Design’s DDO Project

Nine Design’s most recent project is the eight-story, 120-unit DDO multiplex design in West Island, Montreal.

The design throughout the building is characterized by a neutral color palette and natural materials. Such a design choice was the result of the “social temperature” and her own personal headspace during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Raynauld. “It’s a contrast with all the controversy in society. It’s really to bring clarity and light when everything feels so confusing and shady.”

To take the socially conscious nature of the project one step further, Raynauld and Nine Design worked with an eco-friendly, carbon-neutral line of carpet. And, because they’re now using a BIM workflow, details like color and materials have associated data within Nine Design’s models.

With DDO, Vectorworks has helped Nine Design create beautiful presentations with efficient execution, as well as continue their mission: “we create designs that stand out for their harmony between audacity and elegance that will stand the test of time.”

Continually Learning How to Design with Data

Raynauld knows that there’s still room for her firm to grow in their implementation of BIM processes, saying that she’d love to use more IFC models to collaborate with other professionals and consultants. “Sometimes an engineer might change the thickness of a slab, for example,” said Raynauld. “That’s where I’d love to be able to work with BIM and an IFC model. I would be able to make sure all my other measurements and details are still good!”

“I’m really passionate about Vectorworks,” said Raynauld. And it shows; Nine Design are designing, documenting, and collaborating better than ever before.

If you’d like to feature your project news here, get in touch to find out more. 

If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.

PARKLEX PRODEMA has extensive experience supplying panels for applications in many countries all over the world. The use of wood in the construction of hospitals facilitates the recovery of patients: it reduces stress and improves people’s mood.

Main features

Continuity

Architects are provided the possibility of matching interior walls and ceilings with the soffit, creating a feeling of continuity both inside and out. They can also match the interior floor with interior walls and ceilings -as well as with the furniture-, creating a feeling of continuity within the same space.

Natural wood

• Provides warmth and comfort to spaces.
• Contributes to improving the well-being of those admitted to hospitals, and of health personnel.
• Humanizes spaces (especially where we don’t like to be…).
• Offers a great diversity of design options (range of wood species) and coordinates adequately with all types of materials (coexists harmoniously).
• Wood for all types of coatings and applications -versatility-, ensuring perfect aesthetic coordination: floors, walls, ceilings, doors, furniture, wet areas and areas in contact with water, areas high traffic, soffits, etc.
• Wood is a noble material, which brings prestige and increases the status of the project.
• Wood to design projects that convey the quality of the service offered by the client.

Technology

PARKLEX PRODEMA’s own technology that contributes to improving the performance of the wood. Natural wood where the use of wood is not considered suitable.

Sustainable raw materials

With PARKLEX PRODEMA’s products, raw forest materials are an important part of the product. Aware of the importance that forest masses have for development of life on the planet, and to limit the greenhouse effect, we believe in purchasing sustainable forest products. Maintaining forests with controlled, appropriate felling helps to maintain biodiversity and the recovery capacity of the forests themselves.

In addition to environmental benefits, purchasing certified products has economic and social benefits, since it guarantees dignified social and labour conditions for the employees of the forestry management companies and other companies farther down the chain. In many cases, it is also a huge boon to revitalise rural areas.

Zero environmental impact

The life cycle of an HPL is more than thirty (30) years. During all this time, and thanks to the surface composition of the board, that protects the wood, the finish of our product is stable and does not need any maintenance, sanding, varnishing, painting or any type of arrangement. Our materials do not require any type of chemical product to fix or clean them, so environmental impact in this regard is zero.

Their products

NATURFLOOR-W – Maintenance-free natural wood flooring for interiors

NATURFLOOR-W is a maintenance-free floor for indoor spaces. Designed specifically for areas with heavy traffic, like hotels, offices, museums, airports, and shops, it is also suitable for residential applications and can be installed over radiant flooring.

The anti-moisture treatment on the surface, along with the birch plywood (9-layer marine birch plywood) and counterbalance with HPL barrier, applicable to all woods and finishes, means that NATURFLOOR-W can be installed in areas frequently in contact with water. There is an option to specify even better anti-slip resistance.

This is a durable and sustainable product (FSC), 100% water-resistant, and with an AC6 score on wear resistance and Grade-4 scratch resistance. This makes it an ideal material for commercial spaces with heavy traffic.

Health

To certify our NATURFLOOR-W product, we use the Indoor Advantage Air Gold Certificate, since this certificate is well-known for floors around the world. It is based on controlling the quality of the air within and around buildings and structures, especially in terms of the health and comfort of the building’s occupants. When we speak of air quality, we must speak of VOC emissions (Volatile Organic Compound), meaning the volatile organic components that the product emits.

This document certifies that NATURFLOOR-W has low VOC emissions with the indoor air quality standard (IAQ). From a sustainable construction perspective, these products are candidates for obtaining LEED credits in the Indoor Air Quality section.

Cleaning and desinfection

• Dirt does not stick easily to the surface of the NATURFLOOR-W boards. However, if the surface becomes dirty it can be cleaned with lukewarm water mixed with liquid detergent, using a soft cloth and never rubbing the surface dry.
• For persistent stains, conventional commercial bleaches can be used, always diluted in the concentrations recommended by the manufacturer.
• Never use detergents containing abrasive particles.
• Cloths, sponges or paper with abrasive agents should never be used as they can damage the surface.
• Do not use excess water, or leave puddles of water on the floor.
• Cleaning with pressurized water machines is not allowed.
• It is always recommended to carry out a cleaning test on a small area of the material.
• The use of solvents and chemical cleaning products must always be carried out respecting the corresponding safety and hygiene rules.
• There is a list of commercial products that can be used. For more details, consult the PARKLEX PRODEMA Technical Department.

Durability

The finish of our interior floor product is stable with minimal evolution over time. It does not need any varnish or paint to remain just like the very first day. The surface composition of the boards protects the product from moisture, wear, scratching, blows, marks from heels and pets, fading from sunlight, and stains, eliminating the need for any later treatment. Thanks to its durability, no type of maintenance is required.

The life cycle of an HPL is more than thirty (30) years. This makes our engineered hardwood floor a product with structural durability of more than thirty years. The structural durability of natural wood is less.

This is a durable and sustainable product (FSC), 100% water-resistant (NATURFLOOR-W can be installed in areas frequently in contact with water), and with an AC6 score on wear resistance and Grade-4 scratch resistance. This makes it an ideal material for commercial spaces with heavy traffic.

NATURHARDPANEL-W – Maintenance-free natural wood panel for interior walls and ceilings

Natural wood that is extremely moisture- and fire-resistant, for interior walls and ceilings.

Thanks to the technical leak-tightness and moisture-resistance properties of the natural wood veneer, NATURHARDPANEL-W brings a feeling of special warmth to indoor areas in frequent contact with water. It is also a high resistance covering for commercial spaces.

It has been designed for high-traffic areas such as hospitals, hotels, offices, museums, or institutional buildings.

Anti-bacterial surface protection

NATURHARDPANEL-W contains silver ions, a naturally antibacterial element that helps to eliminate 99.9% of surface bacteria (Staphilococcus Aureus and Escherichia Coli) within 24 hours.

PARKLEX PRODEMA use a technology that impregnates the natural timber veneer with a specific anti-bacteria overlay. This overlay lasts for the whole life of the panel; therefore, the anti-bacterial features are permanent and require no additional treatment (Tests according to ISO 22196:2007 / JIS Z 2801:2010).

The antibacterial properties of our panels have been verified by independent regulators, with tests carried out to certify their effectiveness in eliminating 99.9% of surface bacteria.

Besides, a special resin incorporated into our production process protects our panels against damage from household, commercial and alcohol-based cleaning products, as long as PARKLEX PRODEMA standard cleaning and maintenance recommendations are followed.

NATURHARDPANEL-W anti-bacteria: the best solution for high-sensitive areas -hospitals, surgeries, nursing homes and laboratories-.

Cleaning and desinfection

• Dirt does not stick easily to the surface of the NATURHARDPANEL-W boards.
• However, if the surface becomes dirty it can be cleaned with lukewarm water mixed with liquid detergent, using a soft cloth and never rubbing the surface dry.
• For persistent stains, conventional commercial bleaches can be used, always diluted in the concentrations recommended by the manufacturer.
• Never use detergents containing abrasive particles.
• Cloths, sponges or paper with abrasive agents should never be used as they can damage the surface.
• Cleaning with pressurized water machines is not allowed.
• It is always recommended to carry out a cleaning test on a small area of the material.
• The use of solvents and chemical cleaning products must always be carried out respecting the corresponding safety and hygiene rules.
• There is a list of commercial products that can be used. For more details, consult the PARKLEX PRODEMA Technical Department.

Resistant to chemical agents

• PARKLEX PRODEMA panels are protected against potential damage caused by alcohol-based cleaners, including those used to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
• For persistent stains, conventional commercial bleaches can be used, always diluted in the concentrations recommended by the manufacturer.
• Never use detergents containing abrasive particles.
• It is always recommended to carry out a cleaning test on a small area of the material.
• The use of solvents and chemical cleaning products must always be carried out respecting the corresponding safety and hygiene rules.
• There is a list of commercial products that can be used. For more details, consult the PARKLEX PRODEMA Technical Department.

Greater lifespan

Preventing bacterial surface contamination extends the lifespan  of our products. As antibacterial protection is a natural part of our products, rather than an additional coating, PARKLEX PRODEMA panels are ingrained with longer lasting protection.

Durability

The finish of our interior wall and ceiling products is stable and does not change over time. It does not need any varnish or paint to remain just like the very first day. The surface composition of the boards protects the product from moisture, wear, scratching, blows, fading from sunlight, and stains, eliminating the need for any later treatment. Thanks to its durability, no type of maintenance is required.

The life cycle of an HPL is more than thirty (30) years. This makes NATURHARDPANEL-W a product with structural durability of more than thirty years. The structural durability of natural wood is less.

These are durable and sustainable products, moisture-resistant, and with Grade-3 scratch resistance. This makes it an ideal material for commercial spaces with heavy traffic. Thanks to the technical leak-tightness and moisture-resistance properties of the natural wood veneer, NATURHARDPANEL-W is a high-resistance covering for
commercial spaces.

Health

To certify our NATURHARDPANEL-W product, we use Clean Air Gold Certificate. It is based on controlling the quality of the air within and around buildings and structures, especially in terms of the health and comfort of the building’s occupants. When we speak of air quality, we must speak of VOC emissions (Volatile Organic Compound), meaning the volatile organic components that the product emits. This certificate analyses the results obtained, based on the CDHP (California Department of Public Health Standard Method). Based on the numbers, it indicates in which of the three foreseen scenarios the product can be installed: offices, schools, or private residences.

This document certifies that NATURHARDPANEL-W has low VOC emissions with the indoor air quality standard (IAQ). From a sustainable construction perspective, these products are candidates for obtaining LEED credits in the Indoor Air Quality section.

Food contact

The NATURHARDPANEL-W S HPL board is suitable for contact with food in accordance with CE Regulation 1935/2004 and EU Regulation No. 10/2011.

• Suitable for food contact
• Complementary to cleaning and disinfection protocols.
• Optimum hygiene of the entire assembly thanks to complementary products.

Fire: the best classification

NATURHARDPANEL-W timber faced panels are classified as Class A (ASTM E84) or B-s1,d0 (as per EN 13501-1). This proves that it achieves the absolute best reactionto- fire classification for an organic product. The test also includes a measurement of smoke production and the presence of burning droplets, with NATURHARDPANEL-W achieving the highest rating in both categories.

NATURSKININT-W – Natural wood veneer for application on surfaces

NATURSKININT-W is a high density natural wood veneer. Its thickness (1.5mm – 3mm / 0.06” – 0.11”) makes it flexible for application on different surfaces, such as doors, columns, furniture and other interior elements. It adheres to any material -chipboard, fiber cement, MDF, metal, etc.- and its radius of curvature of up to 25cm / 9.85” allows it to cover rounded corners, columns… Suitable for covering doors, making furniture, etc.

Anti-bacterial surface protection

NATURSKININT-W contains silver ions, a naturally antibacterial element that helps to eliminate 99.9% of surface bacteria (Staphilococcus Aureus and Escherichia Coli) within 24 hours.

PARKLEX PRODEMA use a technology that impregnates the natural timber veneer with a specific anti-bacteria overlay. This overlay lasts for the whole life of the panel; therefore, the anti-bacterial features are permanent and require no additional treatment (Tests according to ISO 22196:2007 / JIS Z 2801:2010).

The antibacterial properties of our panels have been verified by independent regulators, with tests carried out to certify their effectiveness in eliminating 99.9% of surface bacteria.

Besides, a special resin incorporated into our production process protects our panels against damage from household, commercial and alcohol-based cleaning products, as long as PARKLEX PRODEMA standard cleaning and maintenance recommendations are followed.

NATURSKININT-W anti-bacteria: the best solution for high-sensitive areas -hospitals, surgeries, nursing homes, laboratories-.

Cleaning and desinfection

• Dirt does not stick easily to the NATURSKININT-W veneer. However, if the surface becomes dirty it can be cleaned with lukewarm water mixed with liquid detergent, using a soft cloth and never rubbing the surface dry.
• For persistent stains, conventional commercial bleaches can be used, always diluted in the concentrations recommended by the manufacturer.
• Never use detergents containing abrasive particles.
• Cloths, sponges or paper with abrasive agents should never be used as they can damage the surface.
• Cleaning with pressurized water machines is not allowed.
• It is always recommended to carry out a cleaning test on a small area of the material.
• The use of solvents and chemical cleaning products must always be carried out respecting the corresponding safety and hygiene rules.
• There is a list of commercial products that can be used. For more details, consult the PARKLEX PRODEMA Technical Department.
• Always consult the list of commercial products that can be used on the surface to which the NATURSKININT-W sheet is adhered.

Resistant to chemical agents

PARKLEX PRODEMA panels are protected against potential damage caused by alcohol-based
cleaners, including those used to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

• For persistent stains, conventional commercial bleaches can be used, always diluted in the concentrations recommended by the manufacturer.
• Never use detergents containing abrasive particles.
• It is always recommended to carry out a cleaning test on a small area of the material.
• The use of solvents and chemical cleaning products must always be carried out respecting the corresponding safety and hygiene rules.
• There is a list of commercial products that can be used. For more details, consult the PARKLEX PRODEMA Technical Department.

Greater lifespan

Preventing bacterial surface contamination extends the lifespam of our products. As antibacterial protection is a natural part of our products, rather than an additional coating, PARKLEX PRODEMA panels are ingrained with longer lasting protection.

Durability

The finish of our interior covering product is stable and does not change over time. It does not need any varnish or paint to remain just like the very first day. The surface composition of the boards protects the product from moisture, wear, scratching, blows, fading from sunlight, and stains, eliminating the need for any later treatment. Thanks to its durability, no type of maintenance is required.

The life cycle of an HPL is more than thirty (30) years. This makes NATURSKININT-W a product with structural durability of more than thirty years. The structural durability of natural wood is less.

These are durable and sustainable products, moisture-resistant, and with Grade-3 scratch resistance. This makes it an ideal material for commercial spaces with heavy traffic. Thanks to the technical leak-tightness and moisture-resistance properties of the natural wood veneer, NATURSKININT-W is a high-resistance covering for commercial spaces.

Food contact

The NATURSKININT-W HPL veneer is suitable for contact with food in accordance with
CE Regulation 1935/2004 and EU Regulation No. 10/2011.

• Suitable for food contact
• Complementary to cleaning and disinfection protocols.
• Optimum hygiene of the entire assembly thanks to complementary products.

NATURCLAD – Maintenance-free wooden and super-texturised panels for façades

NATURCLAD coverings provide for installation of wood covering (NATURCLAD-W) or super-texturized panels (NATURCLAD-B) for ventilated façades, with no need for maintenance.

They consist of a high-density Bakelite body, a wood veneer treated with synthetic resins on the surface (NATURCLAD-W) or a unique texture on the surface that does not create repeated patterns (NATURCLAD-B), and a triple-layer exterior film that provides greater durability to the panels and protects them from solar radiation, atmospheric agents, and dirtiness, and has anti-graffiti properties.

NATURSOFFIT-W – Maintenance-free natural wood panel for soffit applications

NATURSOFFIT-W is an HPL product with natural wood designed for exclusive use in sheltered and horizontal applications, such as false ceilings and roofs. The panels cannot be directly exposed to ultraviolet radiation or water, but they can be applied to outdoor areas protected from these two elements. They do not require maintenance and provide outdoor spaces with the warmth and versatility of a natural wood design.

NATURSOFFIT-W increases the range of wood species for outdoors without maintenance.

NATURSIDING – Maintenance-free pre-machined wooden and super-textured panels for façades

Provides for installing pre-machined wood or super-texturized panels on façades with no need for maintenance.

They consist of a high-density bakelite body, a wood veneer treated with synthetic resins on the surface (NATURSIDING-W) or a unique texture on the surface that does not create repeated patterns (NATURSIDING-B), and a triple-layer exterior film that provides greater durability to the panels and protects them from solar radiation, atmospheric agents, and dirtiness, and has anti-graffiti properties.

If you’d like to feature your product news here, get in touch to find out more. 

If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.

Entering the rooms of the Landaburu Borda country house, the NATURFLOOR-W wooden floor (an AC6 natural wood floor especially designed for rooms with heavy, frequent traffic and suitable for spaces in frequent contact with water) takes us to their bathrooms, in which the Country Oak wood finish takes continuity over walls, floors, furniture, and even inside the shower cabins.

With a 14 mm thick and a bevelled edge, NATURFLOOR-W is installed as glued floor, with different board widths (188 and 290 mm). The boards rest on pieces of sound-proofing blankets laid out in parallel. Between them, elastic adhesive lines were applied to secure said boards to the ground. They are joined together by a tongue-and-groove machining, to which a line of PVA D3/D4 glue is applied to hold them together and to avoid water leaks into their structure.

Furniture has been custom made with standard NATURPANEL-W panels, the same material as used in walls, which has been cut to size to allow the installation of electrical and water sources.

If you’d like to feature your product news here, get in touch to find out more. 

If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.