When choosing reclaimed wood for a space, there are a number of options and factors to consider. If sourcing locally is important, Western Red Cedar is a favorable option for an installation in the Pacific Northwest. If the design calls for a sense of elegance and sophistication, a tropical hardwood such as teak is a great choice. There’s a perfect wood and finish for every situation.
One tried and true choice is reclaimed oak. Oak is durable, takes a finish well and is a versatile design element that will complement just about any aesthetic. TerraMai offers several oak options. In this post, I’d like to shine the spotlight on Mission Oak Engineered Flooring and Paneling; our homage to America’s Mission and Craftsman eras. To illustrate the power and versatility of this wood, here are 14 examples of Mission Oak in action.
1. Mission Oak complements this office’s industrial-chic environment
From TerraMai: Mission Oak helps to create visual interest in this space
Reclaimed wood works very well with the industrial-chic aesthetic that’s prevalent in many contemporary office spaces. Mission Oak in particular is a great choice due to its character inclusive of occasional surface checking and filled nail holes. Oak’s natural tan and khaki hues with darker grain features help make the wood stand out and draw attention. When paired with industrial elements like exposed piping and brick walls, Mission Oak softens these harder elements making the space feel less stark. It also adds a touch of biophilia to an otherwise industrial atmosphere, which will increase productivity, boost morale, and enhance the overall experience.
2. Mission Oak adds visual contrast
From TerraMai: Mission Oak flooring provides contrast with the darker elements in this space
Mission Oak Engineered Flooring adds lighter tones to balance out the darker elements in this installation. The flooring provides neutral, warming elements and the result is a more beautiful, inviting space.
3. Social spaces open up with Mission Oak
From TerraMai: This lounge space features expansive Mission Oak flooring
This light and airy communal office space is grounded with Mission Oak’s warm and welcoming flooring. Mission Oak with a poly finish keeps the natural oak aesthetic and enhances this bright space. In addition, natural materials like reclaimed wood in general are great for lounges because it helps to reduce stress and lower blood pressure, contributing to a more relaxing experience. Multiple studies have shown that wood improves a person’s emotional state and level of self expression. All the more reason to incorporate reclaimed wood into social and collaborative work spaces.
4. Mission Oak supports occupant well-being
From TerraMai: This minimalist hallway is rounded out with reclaimed Mission Oak Paneling and Mission Oak clad beams
The WELL Building Standard emphasizes designing the entire facility for occupant well-being. This includes hallways and stairwells that are often overlooked and the employee-only back-end environment of hotels, airports, hospitals and retail establishments where customers never frequent. One way to offset the often stark lack of nature inherent in these spaces is to use reclaimed wood. This will create a natural connection that better satisfies the innate human need to participate in nature.
From TerraMai: Mission Oak’s unique character adds interest to this hallway
5. Mission Oak provides brand and customer experience in this retail space
From TerraMai: This Sam Edelman store uses Mission Oak Flooring to add an extra touch of class that mirrors the brand message
Designers of retail establishments select materials that convey and reflect the retail store’s brand and values. Materials also need to enhance the customer’s experience in the store. The beautiful aesthetic of reclaimed wood is ideal for these spaces and has been shown to increase perceived product value.
Sam Edelman is one company known for using reclaimed wood in its stores. Sam Edelman’s story is quintessentially American. From simple beginnings and hard work, he used his entrepreneurial spirit to pursue a design passion for shoes, always persevering and following his intuition to re-invent himself. Mission Oak has a similar vibe, from humble beginnings as a workhorse material utilized for industrial shipping, it has been reclaimed and turned into beautiful flooring and paneling. Pictured above is a retail location that uses Mission Oak Flooring to provide warm tones and texture.
6. This bank uses Mission Oak Flooring for a professional look
From TerraMai: Reclaimed Mission Oak Flooring with Cowboy Coffee at US AmeriBank in Florida
Reclaimed wood works well in any space that calls for a professional, refined aesthetic including hotels, institutions, banks, government buildings, and restaurants. US AmeriBank uses Mission Oak Engineered Flooring with a Cowboy Coffee finish to deliver a soothing banking experience. The dark flooring makes a striking impression and conveys to customers that US AmeriBank takes their banking needs seriously.
7. 111 Washington uses a creative Mission Oak Paneling layout that draws the eye
From TerraMai: Mission Oak paneling cleverly fills the spaces in between elevators at 111 Washington
Designed by renowned architect Minoru Yamasaki, 111 Washington Square in Minneapolis is conscious of both its tenants and the environment. It aims to create a workspace that empowers workers to perform at their best, and it also promotes sustainability across the board. The design achieves these two goals simultaneously by using plenty of reclaimed wood, which is not only sustainable but also conducive to more productive work. One of my favorite installations of reclaimed wood is the Mission Oak Paneling in the elevator lobby. The planks were installed at an angle drawing the eye up to the laser cut metal ceiling panels. The lighting is well designed making the Mission Oak Paneling look even more luminous.
8. Mission Oak Paneling makes a visual impact
From TerraMai: At Station 101 in Westwood, MA, Mission Oak White Engineered Paneling
The ultra-high ceilings, abundant natural light, spaciousness, seating variety, living walls, potted plants and Mission Oak Paneling all work together to inspire conversation and creativity in Station 101’s collaborative social gathering space.
9. Mission Oak Red offers rich variation
From TerraMai: Gravitate! uses a wonderful combination of Mission Oak Red Flooring and Lost Coast Redwood Weathered Paneling
While Mission Oak White is known for being more even toned, Mission Oak Red boasts a bit more variety. The copper tones instill a vibrancy, and the wood carries all the character and trademarks expected of Mission Oak. The communal space at Gravitate! combined reclaimed red oak along with Lost Coast Weathered Paneling to naturally energize people for the most productive meetings.
10. REI uses Mission Oak to create a strong customer experience
From TerraMai: Mission Oak Red Flooring at REI in Denver reflects the brand and makes for an immersive customer experience
REI is one of the world’s most famous outdoor gear retailers. Naturally, they want their retail stores to reflect their brand and give the customer an unforgettable experience. Since reclaimed wood creates a strong natural connection, it’s a great choice for REI. Their Denver flagship store uses Mission Oak Red Engineered Flooring to echo the brand’s outdoorsy aesthetic and bring shoppers closer to nature. Mission Oak Flooring will handle REI’s high customer traffic and convey REI’s brand values. In addition, social research shows that shoppers spend most of their time looking down. Thus, a retailers floor is its fifth wall. Wood makes an emotional connection and the warmth, texture and character of reclaimed wood can create a richer shopping experience.
11. Mission Oak Flooring draws you into this space
From TerraMai: This room in The Hotel at Oberlin uses Mission Oak Red Engineered Flooring
The Hotel at Oberlin is a wonderful example of sustainable design. It is one of only 5 hotels in the United States to have received LEED Platinum Certification. Fittingly, the Hotel has several environmental initiatives in place, and it uses many green building materials including Mission Oak Red Engineered Flooring. The flooring does more than just look nice. It also enhances the environment; reclaimed wood is a top material choice for hospitality spaces due to its calming effects.
12. This office bolsters contemporary design with reclaimed wood
From TerraMai: Enthought’s office space is clean, minimal, and inspired, and the Mission Oak flooring fits right in
As a forward-thinking software company, Enthought wanted an office space that would be just as innovative. The company brought on Lauckgroup (which has since become part of Perkins+Will) to design a beautiful, inspirational workplace that combined timeless design concepts with present day trends. To that end, Lauckgroup utilized reclaimed Mission Oak Red Engineered Flooring. The dark grain and warm tones of the wood complement the industrial setting and provide workers with a biophilic connection, which is especially important if a room has less than optimal daylight or limited window views of nature.
From TerraMai: Mission Oak flooring unifies the design of Enthought’s office
13. Capital One’s office pairs Mission Oak paneling with bold design
From TerraMai: Capital One in Chicago is clad in beautiful Mission Oak Engineered Paneling
Using human-centered design thinking, Capital One is reinventing banking with their Capital One Cafes. Banking and financial planning can cause anxiety with consumers. Capital One is determined to transform the customer experience. TerraMai’s reclaimed Mission Oak is a key element in these customer-centered spaces. Mission Oak with a tinted White Oil finish works well alongside the bold red and blue brand colors.
While Capital One is best known for its financial services, it’s also very environmentally minded. About 50% of their office portfolio has been certified through building standards like LEED, and the company has made LEED Silver Certification a requirement for all new projects.
14. The one-of-a-kind Space Crab Treehouse stays sturdy with Mission Oak Flooring
From Nelson Treehouse: This unique project made use of sustainable materials for a long lifespan
The Space Crab isn’t your typical architecture project. Built by Nelson Treehouse and Supply for Camp Southern Ground, the Space Crab is an expansive treehouse that blends futuristic design and biophilic design. Longevity was a prime concern for this project; the designers wanted it to last at least 100 years. As such, the Space Crab is built from resilient, natural materials such as steel and reclaimed wood. The project used Mission Oak Flooring with a Driftwood finish for the main treehouse interior, and the result is really fun and inviting.
Conclusion
Mission Oak is a remarkable wood that can perform in high traffic flooring areas, and delivers biophilic components as well as a variety of aesthetics. While it’s inspired by early American history, it’s a versatile and timeless wood. In addition, reclaimed oak––both white and red–– is a sturdy wood that will stand the test of time. I hope these 14 examples give you inspiration for your own projects and encourage you to take a closer look at reclaimed Mission Oak.