• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

TerraMai

Contact Us
800.220.9062
  • Acoustic Panels
  • Modular Panels
  • Open Panels
  • Paneling
  • Flooring
  • Decking
  • Siding
  • Tabletops

Design Trends

Modern Classics: Unrivaled, Rift & Quartered White Oak

An incredible installation of TerraMai’s MC White Oak both flooring and stair treads. TerraMai image.

When it comes to a near flawless character, three of TerraMai’s sustainably-harvested wood species stand out: MC Walnut, Wide Plank White Oak, and MC White Oak. We’ve already told you about the classic sophistication of MC Walnut, and you can read all about it here. Today, we’re focused on one of the most popular wood flooring and paneling species: Oak. 

Classic wood grain, minimalistic character in TerraMai’s Wide Plank White Oak


Flooring installation at Rice University featuring our Wide Plank White Oak. Image courtesy of Mariella Ayala. 

TerraMai’s clean and warm Wide Plank White Oak is a perfect choice for flooring applications. Bringing the outside in with natural materials like wood have shown to have positive biophilic effects when used in design. The human brain often looks for soothing, natural patterns which can be found in using wood and other natural materials. 

Elegant, sophisticated rift and quartered Modern Classic White Oak

TerraMai’s stunning Modern Classic White Oak brings the outside in with this phenomenal installation of flooring in a Pale Ale finish. TerraMai image.

Refined, minimalist, and impeccable – TerraMai’s MC White Oak brightens up the floors of this space with dynamic and warm flooring at Perkins + Will’s Chicago office. Like its sister (MC Walnut), MC White Oak highlights the rift and quartersawn milling method which brings a pristine tone to any installation, along with linear grain patterns.  

Got an upcoming project that calls for any of TerraMai’s Modern Classics? We’ve got you covered. All three are FSC® and FloorScore® certified, and each offers impeccable style. Click to learn more about our Modern Classics.
Check out our blog here and subscribe to our eCards here.

From the inside out: TerraMai’s new Exterior Panels

An example of the beauty of vertical wood siding in Strasbourg, France. Photo by Thanos Pal.

Architects and designers have been using wood in design for ages – and for good reasons too. It’s sustainable, renewable, and beautiful. With a sleek new trend coming from Europe featuring slatted wood which creates a chic, stylish impression, these styles of exterior panels can soften facades and provide gentle sun protection for occupants. But where do you start when it comes to narrowing down the ideal wood species, style, and project timeline for exteriors?

This is where your highly skilled TerraMai wood expert can help narrow down the options available in our new line of exterior woods and set your project up for success.

European styling

Inspired by modern Scandinavian style featuring the cool acoustics, warm color tones, and stunning visuals of wood slats, TerraMai’s Exterior Wood Panels are a perfect blend of high design, sustainability and functionality. 

With the authenticity of exposed wood, there is a natural honesty to this design element in addition to the unique stories each species tells on its road to becoming a focal point in building construction. 

Three Beautiful Panel Configurations

Upper right: Exterior Thin Slat Modular Panels in Western Red Cedar, from left: Exterior Square Slat Modular Panels in Water Reclaimed Western Red Cedar, Exterior Square Slat Open Panels in Ipe. TerraMai images. 

TerraMai’s Exterior Wood Panels come in three beautiful and subtly distinct styles of slatted panels: Modular Panels in either Square Slat or Thin Slat, and Open Panels in Square Slat. 

Both Modular Panel designs are fabricated with slats attached to marine grade plywood and function as siding: weather-resistant exterior cladding, and can only be installed vertically. 

Open Panels are constructed with slats attached to cross rails. This open structure enhances existing cladding but does not function as a cladding on its own. Open Panels may be used as see-through dividers, and may be installed either vertically or horizontally.

Quick installation

The project cycle on large scale construction projects can be lengthy. By the time facade materials are delivered, construction rockets forward. This is why we help speed things up through TerraMai’s prefabrication process. Our expert woodworkers assemble the product at the factory. Once delivered, installation is quick, easy, and stays true to your design goals. 

Additional Exterior Panel Options

All three Exterior Panel configurations are available in a range of diverse wood species. 

Square Slat Exterior Modular or Open Panels

  • Angelique
  • Ipe
  • Teak
  • Rock Walnut
  • Doug Fir 

Thin Slat Exterior Modular Panels

  • All of the above, plus
  • Lost Coast Redwood
  • Western Red Cedar 

Angelique and Ipe are both naturally Class A flame resistant, but a Fire Retardant may be applied to the other species if desired.  

Panel sizes, slat sizes, slat spacing, and configurations are also customizable.

Finishes

Finishes may be specified to suit the long-term aesthetic goals, and to maximize protection based on the wood species. Because Ipe and Teak are exotic species with high oil content, and Ipe is extraordinarily dense, TerraMai’s oil finishes must be used. For the other species, if the intent is to allow the wood to develop a silvery weathered patina, TerraMai’s Clear Protective Sealer may be applied. It protects the wood from moisture, requires less maintenance, but allows the wood to gracefully age as seen below.

Teak installation at The High Line in New York. TerraMai image.

If the goal is to allow the wood to maintain the original color, TerraMai’s Color Protecting Exterior Finish reduces UV damage and extends the wood’s natural tones.

With a stunning selection of natural wood species, sustainably sourced, and a bold set of panels to choose from, TerraMai’s Exterior Wood Panels will bring European charm, quick installation, and will elevate your next design. 

Have a project in need of slatted Exterior Wood? Go here to get samples or reach out to one of our resident wood experts to talk shop. 

Get the latest in TerraMai products and wood news by signing up for our blog and see stunning installations and stories with our eCards.  

The unique design of TerraMai’s grey finishes

Let’s take a walk through our grey finishes on various wood species. TerraMai image. 

Some time back we asked designers what tones and colors called to them for wood finishes. The answer was overwhelming: Shades of grey. With this knowledge in our pocket, we set out to create a dynamic line of toned finishes across the entire spectrum of greys, from the sharp Scandinavian white of Tundra to the silvery and rustic gleams of Pebble to the modern wonder of Blacksmith. 

These shades accentuate the grain structure beautifully. Because different species and milling techniques produce different grain patterns, the variation in appearance of flooring and paneling using the same color finish is fascinating. 

On Mission Oak our greys work in perfect harmony with the natural strength of the wood – a shine here, a whisper of a grain pattern there, a wonderful balance. On our 1816 Hickory, Wide Plank White Oak, and Northern Oak, the dynamic shifts in myriad ways. All make a beautiful case for modern interiors.

Left to right on Hickory: Tundra, Pebble, Blacksmith. TerraMai image. 

With Hickory, the contrast is striking – the stain pulls out stripes, loops, whorls, entire maps from the wood; a wonderful cartography of light and dark. This makes total sense for a hardwood like Hickory, leaving a lasting, memorable impression on any project. In its own unique fashion, this wood elevates the clean minimalism of the finish, making it energetic instead of subtle.

Tundra, Pebble, Blacksmith. TerraMai image. 

On Wide Plank White Oak, the grey finishes produce an aged yet timeless appearance. The flat sawn mixed grain creates ripples and eddies throughout the material. A perfect measure of minimalist rustic ideal for kitchen or bathroom interiors.

From left to right on Northern Oak: Tundra, Pebble, Blacksmith. TerraMai image. 

On Northern Oak, our grey finishes become lighter in tone and there is some similar play of light and dark as with Hickory, but it is more sophisticated and less wild. With Northern Oak the stain swirls along the natural lines of the wood, creating restful loops for bedroom designs.

From left to right on 1816 Oak: Tundra, Pebble, Blacksmith. TerraMai image.

And on 1816 Oak, our greyscale finishes become delicate, feathered patterns, reminiscent of the pearly dance of oil and water. Although mildly sparse, the patterning here transforms in bohemian ways.

Whatever your architecture or design calls for wood-wise, this distinction of how stain takes to different wood species shows how crucial it is to see the results in person. Whether you are considering the warm subtlety of 1816 Oak or the energetic striations of 1816 Hickory, our grey finishes are here to shine a spotlight on wood’s natural style and strength. 

Inspired? Follow this link to get samples for your next project.

If you want the latest in our take on wood news, upcoming products, and more, sign up for our blog here and our e-Cards here. 

Timber: How shipping delays and supply shortages have hit the A&D world

In a constantly shifting world, natural building resources like Baltic Birch have become harder to obtain. Image: TheGypsyThread.com

Recent world events from the pandemic to the war in Ukraine have created shortages and shipping delays in everything from microchips to building materials. This severely impacted construction material prices, which surged 20% between January 2021 and January 2022. 

How did we get here, and what is the solution when your upcoming project calls for a reliable supply of wood for your projects? Let’s dive in.

How we got here

Toward the end of February, Russia invaded Ukraine. Many countries, including the United States, imposed sanctions to pressure Russia into calling off its war effort. One such sanction was preventing the import of Baltic Birch into the U.S.  

Baltic Birch has become a staple in the production of engineered flooring for many manufacturers in the U.S. One National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) survey conducted earlier this year indicated that 95% of member respondents used Baltic Birch in their engineered flooring products.

According to industry sources, this will drastically impact trades that rely on this wood species in the coming months. For companies that did not stock up, that could be as soon as several months to a year when supply runs dry. With this level of disruption in supply, engineered flooring products may become hard to find and will most likely have significant price increases.

So, what’s the solution? A shift toward regional materials.

Exploring local options

Fortunately, Baltic Birch is not the only choice for quality plywood and engineered flooring substrates. TerraMai works with FSC® Certified Monterey Pine – a more dimensionally stable option than species like Downy Birch, typically used in Baltic Birch plywood.

Over the years we’ve seen millions of square feet of TerraMai engineered flooring and paneling installed in a variety of projects and climates, showcasing its flexibility in application. The supply chain is well established and stable, leaving TerraMai in a strong position to be able to supply the market with high quality engineered flooring and paneling during the forecasted shortage.
Get inspired here, and sign up for our blog here.

A tribute to biophilia: TerraMai’s newest modular panel designs

The natural benefits of wood patterns in design

The human eye constantly seeks out patterns – especially ones that occur in nature. No surprise then that biophilic design, and the ways it highlights nature in architecture and design, has skyrocketed in popularity. The physical and psychological benefits this design style creates are countless. Humanity’s love of biophilia is rooted in our attraction to the organic, and biophilic design lets us “return to nature.” When it comes to plotting the course of your next project, bringing in natural elements is a game changer. 

Health benefits of natural patterns and materials in design

Incorporating organic elements in public and private buildings improves job performance and lower blood pressure. 

Biophilic design requires three things: Natural light, ventilation, and quality of view. Essentially, designing a space with the same qualities found in nature. It’s only natural that this connection to a biophilic environment not only increases productivity, but can also minimize illness. Using building materials like wood multiplies these benefits, creating the same perks one enjoys while out in nature.

large scale biophilic design

From Icarus Films: An excellent example of large scale biophilic design

A modular tribute to biophilia

TerraMai has introduced three new designs into our popular modular panels line up, which celebrate the benefits and patterns of biophilia: Honeycomb, Tiled, and Mini Slat. Using sustainably-harvested or reclaimed wood, these new designs add style and beauty to any space. 

These prefabricated panels are built for precision and speedy installation. In addition to our new naturally-inspired designs comes a new, crisp finish: Polar. 

Honeycomb

A cascade of hexagons create a multi-tiered honeycomb – a pattern that’s captivated the eye for ages – straddling structure and wildness. This burst of creativity creates a welcome relief from the mundane.

With four varying levels of thickness to each shape, Honeycomb interlocks in a seamless combination of order and organic. Evoking the natural patterns created by bees, these hexagonal panels are a perfect choice for biophilic-centered designs.

Tiled

Angled, diagonal slats come close but do not touch. Instead, the reveals between these angles allows for customizable patterning, drawing the eye along clean edges and corners. 

Created for beauty, speed, and quick installation, these minimalist points add dynamism to a space with clear sequence. TerraMai’s Tiled Modular Panels can be arranged in multiple ways – from classic chevron styles to blooming, diagonal petals – meeting any design tone and need.  

Mini Slat

A delicate nod to TerraMai’s additional slatted paneling, the Mini Slat Modular Panel design keeps a quiet peace between each wood strip. This airy subtlety brings a sense of breath to the panel – and the space in which it rests. Mini Slat Modular Panels make a graceful addition to any design project with its gentle, ordered arrangement. A little sister to TerraMai’s bolder Square Slat Panels, Mini Slat is ideal for spaces looking for a graceful touch.

Polar

With a touch of opalescent alabaster, TerraMai’s Polar finish opens a space with lightness and brightness. To honor the briskness of the north, Polar pairs with any Modular Panel design, drawing out wood’s natural texture and beauty. 

For more information on the benefits to occupants of patterns in wood design elements, sign up for the TerraMai course, Designing Healthier Spaces with Wood, and get AIA or IDCEC CEU credits.

Get inspired for your next project and view our classic Modular Panels here.

Sign up for our blog here. 

Cassie Ruud

Content Marketing Strategist

cassie@terramai.com

Wood – Miracle Cure for Healthcare Design

Does it really have to feel this bland? This drab? This dreary? If you’ve ever visited a healthcare facility, chances are you felt these thoughts.

The one type of environment that should feel the most calm and nurturing so often feels the opposite.

Thankfully, a miracle cure exists – Wood.

Wood has the unique ability to transform a space, making an otherwise cold, stark, even unhuman, environment feel warm and welcoming.

Studies show wood possess a near miraculous ability to calm the nervous system and settle the mind. The presence of wood in a space has been shown to help lower blood pressure and heart rates. Studies have also shown people report more positive psychological and emotional feelings of well-being in spaces that feature wood.

Most directly in this case – studies have shown patients recover more quickly in environments that feature wood and natural materials. (See below for citations and further reading.)

These wood benefits also extend to the classroom and the workplace – where students and workers perform better, and report feeling better, in spaces that employ wood.

The psychological and emotional design qualities of wood naturally translate to other sectors, such as retail and hospitality. Shoppers and guests who feel more welcome, at ease and overall better in a retail or hospitality space are shown to stay longer, spend more and leave with more positive brand associations. These positive brand associations then carry over to online shopping and reviews, long after a patron has left a space.

At the heart of all these wood health benefits is one core attribute – one elemental feature that is unquantifiable but also undeniable – wood is simply beautiful to the human eye.

Wood is also naturally noise dampening and warm to the touch, qualities that further appeal to the human senses and offer a welcome relief from the cold, clanging, harsh finishes typical of so many medical spaces.

The healing power of Beauty to the human mind and body is well established, yet somehow often ignored or shamefully disregarded.

While it’s easy to make sport of the sad state of healthcare design (bare vinyl floors, pharmaceutical-beige walls, steel surfaces and a Good Housekeeping magazine circa 1997 anyone?), the ramifications become profoundly serious when one considers the full scope of what transpires and can ultimately be at stake in these environments on a daily, hourly, basis.

This is where wood can make a real difference.

Thankfully, many architects and designers share this realization. TerraMai has had the opportunity to work on a diverse range of smart, thoughtful healthcare projects with firms like Perkins&Will, CollinsWoerman, Abramsom Architects, to highlight just a few.

These designers all took advantage of wood’s unique ability to infuse warmth and beauty into the healthcare environments they designed.

Medical environments can be the setting for some of the most stressful conditions imaginable (even unimaginable). It’s fair to say, people simply deserve to be in a space that feels warm and comforting when facing these life-altering challenges. Not just the patients, but also the patient’s family and loved ones, along with the doctors, nurses and staff who also grapple with extreme stress and traumatic circumstances in these environments.

When considered in this light, the true essence and power of architecture and design flash to the fore. The power of design to affect how we feel in a space is perhaps nowhere more apparent than in a healthcare setting. And wood, perhaps more than any other material, can positively affect how one feels in a space.

In a year that has forced a special spotlight on medical facilities, a new awareness of these environments has emerged. As designers rethink their approach and look to new projects, wood remains perhaps their most useful, effective, versatile – and beautiful – resource.

With all this considered, the unique power of wood as a miracle cure for stark, bleak healthcare environments is a saving remedy.

Matt Nichols, TerraMai VP of National Accounts – Western U.S.


Resources and further reading.

Zelenski, J. M. & Nisbet, E. K. Happiness and Feeling Connected: The Distinct Role of Nature Relatedness. Environment and Behaviour 46, 3–23. (2014).
Zhang, J. W., Howell, R. T. & Iyer, R. Engagement with natural beauty moderates the positive relation between connectedness with nature and psychological well-being. Journal of Environmental Psychology 38, 55–63. (2014).
Munir, M.T., Pailhories, H., Eveillard, M., Aviat, F., Lepelletier, D., Belloncle, C. and Federighi, M. Antimicrobial Characteristics of Untreated Wood: Towards a Hygienic Environment. Health, 11, 152-170. (2019).
Browning, W., Ryan, C. & Clancy, J. Patterns of Biophilic Design: Improving Health & Well‐being in the Built Environment. (2014).
Anme, T. et al. Behaviour Changes in Older Persons Caused by Using Wood Products in Assisted Living. Public Health Research 2, 106–109. (2012).
Wolf, K.L. “Trees in the small city retail business district: comparing resident and visitor perceptions.” Journal of Forestry 103, 390–395. (2005).
Pakarinen, T. “Success factors of wood as a furniture material.” Forest Prod J 49(9):79-85. 1999. As cited in Nyrud, Anders Q. and Bringslimark, Tina. “Is Interior Wood Use Psychologically Beneficial? A Review of Pyschological Responses Toward Wood.” Wood and Fiber Science V.42(2): 211. (2010).
Fell, D. R. “Wood in the Human Environment: Restorative Properties of Wood in the Built Indoor Environment.” University of British Columbia, Vancouver. (2010).
Health and Well-being: Building Green with Wood Module 6. 1–4 (reThink Wood, 2015).
Ohta, H. et al. Effects of redecoration of a hospital isolation room with natural materials on stress levels of denizens in cold season. Int J Biometeorol 52, 331–340. (2008).
Welker, C., Faiola, N., Davis, S., Maffatore, I. and Batt, C.A. Bacterial Retention and Cleanability of Plastic and Wood Cutting Boards with Commercial Food Service Maintenance Practices. Journal of Food Protection, 60, 407-413. (1997).
Wahlgren, K. A Look at Sustainable Harvesting in a Hardwood Forest. Wood Floor Business. (2005).
National Report on Sustainable Forests. United States Department of Agriculture | Utilization of Harvested Wood by the North American Forest Products Industry, Dovetail Partners, Inc. (2010).
Oswalt, S. & Smith, B. U.S. Forest Resource Facts and Historical Trends. United States Department of Agriculture. (2014).
Bringslimark, Tina. “Is Interior Wood Use Psychologically Beneficial? A Review of Pyschological Responses Toward Wood.” Wood and Fiber Science V.42(2): 211. (2010).
Tsunetsugu, Y., Miyazaki, Y. & Sato, H. Physiological effects in humans induced by the visual stimulation of room interiors with different wood quantities. Journal of Wood Science 53, 11–16. (2007).
Dementia and memory loss statistics. Available at: https://fightdementia.org.au/about-dementia-and-memory-loss/statistics. (2014).
Kelz C., Grote V., Moser M. “Interior wood use in classrooms reduces pupils’ stress levels.” Retrieved from http://proceedings.envpsych2011.eu/files/doc/342.pdf
Bergman, R., Gu, H., & Falk, R. “Using Reclaimed Lumber and Wood Flooring in Construction.” (2010).
Human Spaces. “The Global Impact of Biophilic Design in the Workplace.” (2015).
Browning, B., Garvin, C., Fox, B., & Cook, R. “The Economics of Biophilia.” Terrapin Bright Green. (2012).
Toochi EC. Carbon sequestration: how much can forestry sequester CO2?. Forest Res Eng Int J. 2(3):148‒150. (2018).
Ulrich RS. “Aesthetic and affective response to natural environments.” Pages 85-126 in I Altman and JF Wohlwill, eds. Behavior and the natural environment. (1983).



Wood Warms-Up Healthcare Design
Wood Adds Warmth to Healthcare Design

How to Choose Reclaimed Wood Flooring

Reclaimed wood flooring is a unique, organic, and natural design element. Choose wisely and wood floors are a highly sustainable and durable flooring option even in high traffic commercial settings. Asking and answering key questions at the beginning of your project will ensure your floor not only looks great at installation but in the months and years to follow. When choosing reclaimed wood, a few more questions get added to the mix.

Here are key tips to finding the perfect type of reclaimed wood flooring for your next project.

Start with the end in mind

The floor has to look great. That’s a given. Asking pertinent questions upfront can ensure your selection will not only look great at installation, but 60 days later as well as 5 and 10 years later. Start with the end in mind when selecting wood flooring. Achieving the Wow Factor at installation is a nice rush but no designer wants a phone call 60 days later from a distressed and angry customer because the flooring has been compromised. You’ll go from hero to zero. In order to look great, the flooring must be durable so as to withstand the intended occupant usage and it must be able to meet required cleaning standards.

Key Questions:

  • How will the space be used?
  • How much traffic is expected?
  • What kind of traffic?
  • Where do you land on the aesthetic scale, highly rustic or super clean?
  • Is some patina or character acceptable?
  • How must the floor be cleaned and how often?
  • Are there required cleaning processes?

An office with 20 occupants and the occasional visitor has far fewer flooring concerns than that of a reception lobby in which 100’s of occupants wearing hard soled shoes (many of which are high heeled) will traverse a specific path on any given day. The care and maintenance for a lobby will vary from that of a restaurant. Some spaces may require the movement of furniture or have the need to slide equipment from place to place. Understanding how the space will be used will guard against a flooring selection that will fail in short order.

TerraMai Reclaimed Teak flooring with Kukui finish at CBRE office

From TerraMai: CBRE chose Teak Engineered Kukui for a refined rustic look that will work with any imperfections that might arise along the way while still maintaining a crisp, clean space.

Enter Durability Standards – Janka

Industry wide, the test used to evaluate flooring hardness and wear is the Janka hardness test. It measures the force required to embed an 11.28 millimeters diameter steel ball halfway into a sample of wood. The industry median for hardness is red oak (northern) at 1290 lbf.

Photo from Wikipedia.

Although Janka is a good starting place, don’t discount species that fall below red oak on the hardness scale. There are other factors to consider when determining whether a species is suitable for your flooring project. Use the questions above to reflect on desired aesthetic and how the space will be used. Walnut, which falls below red oak on the Janka scale, may not be suitable for a high traffic elevator lobby as it may dimple and dent under the pressure of high heeled shoes. If you’ve fallen in love with walnut for a high traffic area, staining a harder wood so that it resembles walnut is an option that will deliver a similar look. If some dimpling is acceptable, using an oil finish on the walnut will help diminish any indentations whereas a polyurethane finish can magnify them. In a low traffic environment like a residential home, walnut flooring is perfectly appropriate.

From TerraMai: MC Walnut Engineered Flooring in a reception area.

Doug fir, which also falls below red oak on the scale, has been used for flooring for centuries. Just like walnut, situations of high wear and tear may result in scratches and indentations. Some installations may embrace these “imperfections”. If one embodies character and has intentionally selected a reclaimed wood with a naturally distressed face or one with nail holes and circle sawn markings, then any new “imperfections” will further add to and enhance the floor’s appearance.

Reclaimed wood flooring at the Breslin, NYC

From TerraMai: The Doug fir flooring in the Breslin Bar and Dining Room in NYC looks as good today as it did when it was installed in 2009.

One of the best things about the large variety of reclaimed woods available is the range of unique characteristics you can find. When most people think of reclaimed wood, they think of a rustic aesthetic. However, reclaimed wood isn’t limited to the typical rustic appearance associated with it. When opting for a cleaner more pristine design look, woods higher up on the Janka scale will ensure your design intention is maintained.

From TerraMai: The Perkins+Will Chicago office selected MC White Oak Pale Ale for their expansive, uncluttered space

Choose a Wood That Enhances the Experience

Today, experience design is an important concept in Architecture & Design. Designers are striving to create built environments that not only look great but also feel great. The goal is to provide occupants with a wonderful, engaging experience. That means facilitating interaction with the built environment, developing a unified design aesthetic, and designing for occupant well-being.

REI in Seattle combine Dirty Face and Mission Oak flooring throughout the store

From TerraMai: This REI location in Seattle uses Dirty Face flooring to add to the outdoorsy environment

When choosing reclaimed wood flooring, considering its role in the experience will help to select the right wood. Is the wood a backdrop that frames and allows other design elements to shine or is it a major statement maker? For example, using a bold yet clean, eye-catching wood like Acacia Metro or Teak Metro in a minimalist environment will draw people’s attention toward the flooring while creating a sense of energy in the space.

From TerraMai: Agave’s striking, ethnically inspired atmosphere is bolstered by Teak Metro flooring

One important aspect of experience design is the presence of an emotional connection. Flooring can actually help achieve this by thematically uniting the design as a whole and providing various visual textures for occupants to feel connected to nature to enhance overall well-being.

Sam Edelman’s Palm Beach location does this by using reclaimed Mission Oak White flooring in conjunction with an abundance of reclaimed oak throughout the store. This results in feelings of calmness and tranquility that help shoppers focus on the experience without being distracted. The wood also helps to tie in and fortify the store’s brand, as the reclaimed wood reinforces the culture of heritage and craft.

Reclaimed oak flooring used throughout Sam Edelman's retail store in Palm Beach, FL

From TerraMai: Sam Edelman’s use of wood fosters a strong emotional connection in shoppers

Which wood is the best to maintain?

This is a bit of a trick question. The wood is not being maintained; the finish is. Maintain the finish and the wood is protected.

If heavy traffic will result in wear patterns, oil is likely the best finish option. Surface scratches, dents, and stains can be spot treated by rubbing a small amount of oil into the area and buffing it with a cotton cloth until the affected area blends with the surrounding floor. The same is true for spot recoating larger areas of wear. Floors with extreme traffic may require a complete recoat every several months but floor areas of light traffic may not need a complete recoat for many years and can be managed with touch ups. At any rate, when the wood looks dry or starved, it is time to recoat. Always recoat an oil finish before it wears through completely exposing raw wood. This is especially true in layered finishes in which a stain has been used then an oil topcoat. Stain is a colarant and offers no protection. It is difficult to restain a small area and have it blend well. Maintaining the oil topcoat will eliminate concern with wearing through the stain layer.

An oil finish penetrates the wood. Polyurethane finishes coat the wood. If the wood flooring is finished with polyurethane, occupants are walking on the finish. A polyurethane finish is more damage resistant but comes with some drawbacks. Damage on a poly finish is more noticeable and cannot be spot repaired. To repair wear and tear, the entire floor needs to be sanded and refinished.

Cleaning standards and expectations must be well understood. If the installation requires routine wet mopping, an option other than wood floors may be best. Floors with a polyurethane should be dry mopped or vacuumed while oil finished floors can be damp mopped using the cleaner recommended by the oil manufacturer. Nothing will ruin a floor faster than improper cleaning and maintenance.

Conclusion

Flooring is a critical aspect of any built environment, so it’s important that it unifies the design and creates an unforgettable experience. No matter what type of project you’re working on, there’s a great reclaimed wood flooring option for you. With these tips, you’ll be able to select the right wood species and finish to create and maintain the look you want.
Contact us for free reclaimed wood samples and while you’re at it, check out our new collection of wide plank flooring.

How Wood Is Helping Libraries Reinvent Themselves

Calgary Central Library Reading Area

The library has always been an important social hub in many communities. One might think the importance of the library as diminished with the world becoming more and more digital but usage is up driven by millennials who are visiting and using libraries more than ever. Libraries are no longer the quiet, austere spaces they used to be.  

Instead, they’re buzzing with activity. They host community events and workshops and give patrons access to a wide variety of multimedia resources such as recording studios and game development labs. The library has always been the great equalizer, offering access to worlds of information and resource to everyone regardless of social status or income. This is still one of the great beauties of the local library.

As the world changes, the library is adapting and architects and designers are tasked with reinventing and creating spaces that meet the new requirements of society and the digital age. The result are libraries that continue to inspire and bring together entire communities under one roof. Libraries are being designed as a flexible, multi-purpose spaces that can be adjusted to meet ever-changing occupant needs. Many contemporary libraries are doing just this, and wood is playing an integral role in their development.

The Evolution of the Library

John Curtin Prime Ministerial Library

From John Curtin Prime Ministerial Library: This mid-1980s snapshot depicts a typical library from yesteryear

The library has evolved throughout the millennia, but the 20th century in particular was a pivotal time for the institution. This era saw the quick adoption of computer-based technologies that would forever transform what libraries would look like. Eventually, the way patrons used libraries changed. Instead of coming in just to check out a book or read a magazine, people visited to use the computers or borrow a DVD.

So while libraries still hold a reputation for being extremely quiet and full of books, they look quite different today. Libraries are still repositories of information, but they’re also communal gathering places. Their design has changed accordingly. Throughout the late 20th century (and even the early 21st), libraries largely consisted of warm yet often windowless indoor spaces, reflecting the design of many other educational institutions at the time. Today, libraries are open, naturally lit spaces that are ideal for a host of events. As a result, library usage has gone up. According to Pew, millennials use libraries more than any other generation.

Naturally, building design has been critical for libraries’ success. Material selection has had an especially significant impact on this transformation. Let’s look at how wood has become instrumental to the renaissance of libraries.

The Changing Uses of Wood in Libraries

Traditionally, wood has been an important material for libraries. It’s contributed largely to the aesthetic of the library in the collective conscious as a studious, intellectual space, as wood is often associated with refinement and elegance. It also serves multiple design functions. Its natural acoustic properties make it a good natural noise dampener, which is ideal for libraries, and it also fosters a feeling of comfort. In many of the world’s biggest libraries, such as the New York Public Library and the Bodleian Library, wood has a strong presence in almost every room.

New York Public Library

From the New York Public Library: The Wallach Division of the New York Public Library features ample wood in a timeless style

Today, wood does all of that and much more. It still adds a polished touch, but it also boasts several practical applications that benefit patrons directly. In other words, wood is no longer solely for aesthetics in the contemporary library. Instead, it’s used to increase productivity, facilitate interaction, and bring people together, reinforcing the role of the library as a communal space and ensuring that patrons can get the most out of their experience.

Several studies have proven that wood can have a significant effect on the experience people have within the built environment. People find wood to be welcoming and relaxing and associate the material with feelings of innovation, energy, and comfort. These emotional benefits are accompanied with physical benefits including lowered blood pressure and reduced levels of stress, ultimately culminating in an inviting, rejuvenating occupant experience when wood is present.

Wood can have a positive effect even before patrons walk inside the library itself. Wood exteriors are great for setting the tone for what people will experience within and has been shown to make a building seem more inviting. Kenmore Library in Washington is an example of a library with an open and inviting exterior. Clad with reclaimed teak siding, the building presents a timeless look with lots of character. The golden-brown warmth of teak nicely complements the building’s other materials of glass, cement and metal providing a biophilic, natural element to the building’s contemporary aesthetic.

Kenmore Public Library Entrance

From TerraMai: Kenmore Library’s reclaimed teak siding greets patrons and creates a stunning first impression

For the interior, the library takes a similarly biophilic approach. Panoramic windows allow natural light to pour in and give ample views of the surrounding nature. These feelings of openness and a connection to nature haven’t always been found in libraries, but they’re becoming more and more common. Minimal furnishings, brightly colored bookshelves, and thoughtful lighting add to the atmosphere, making the library ideal for all sorts of events.

Kenmore Public Library Interior

From ArchDaily: The interior of the Kenmore Library is bright and biophilic

The Kenmore Library is a far cry from the stuffy libraries of the 20th century. It’s open, bright, and, in many ways, modular, allowing patrons to modify the layout to meet their needs. While there’s lots of technology present, the Kenmore Library is still dominated by print books, and there are plenty of spaces to sit down and read. All in all, it’s inspiring and refreshing. Libraries like Kenmore are paving the way for a new generation of libraries to not only stay relevant but also continue to serve the community in new and evolving ways.

The WOW Factor

A library provides a great number of services while also symbolically representing the community. Architects and designers have an opportunity on these special projects to really tap into their creative talents to give patrons big WOW experiences.

Calgary Central Library Stairs

From ArchDaily: The design of Calgary Central Library, Calgary, Alberta was inspired by arch-shaped Chinook cloud formations.

Completed in 2018, Calgary’s Central Library has six floors of well-designed spaces that provide for digital, analog, group, and individual interactions. There are areas where the indoors merges with the outdoors, there is ample natural lighting and fun areas as well as serious areas. The design goal was inclusivity and the facility reflects the urban community, its culture and natural surroundings.

Calgary Central Library Reading Area

From Architectural Digest: Calgary Central Library reading room

Throughout the facility, an extensive amount of wood was used especially in areas for focused study and quiet time. People believe they will think more creatively in spaces with wood and studies have shown that wood does promote higher beta waves, an indicator of focus.

Mansueto Library, University of Chicago

From Architectural Digest: Mansueto Library, University of Chicago

University of Chicago’s Mansueto Library is sure to impress the students lucky enough to study in this space. The glass domed ceiling is great inspiration for innovative and expansive thinking. The 3.5 million books are all stored underground and can be retrieved by robots. Wooden floors and tables help with focus and stress reduction while adding to the clean natural look of the reading room.

Conclusion

Libraries are reaching farther and wider than ever before, and they’re getting design upgrades to match. As libraries continue to enjoy increased levels of patronage, these flexible and multi-purpose designs will enable them to consistently serve their communities. Wood is at the center of it all; it’s a material that is inherently humanistic and social, perfect for library settings where people gather to learn and edify themselves. The library is one of our most important and treasured institutions, and these updates are helping to ensure that libraries will live on to benefit future generations and provide an abundance of resources to those who need it most.

Is Tech-Centric Design a Worthy Pursuit?

Cloud DNS futuristic office

Technology advancements have changed the way we live and function and this tech-centric shift is reflected in both good and some not so good ways in the built environment. The widespread integration of technology into building design and the advent of “smart” design can add  convenience and efficiency. While the added technology has benefits, it is important that the built environment remains human-centric. Too much tech-centricity can feel like a gamer was on the interior design team. This may be a fun aspect to explore but being in such a space can have adverse impact on occupants.

The Current State of Tech-Centric Design

I recently stayed at a hotel in the silicon valley that reflected the global center of high technology, innovation and social media. Although I found the design and its various components rather fascinating, I was very aware that I was not comfortable in the space and that it felt a bit disorienting. The geometric wall behind the reception desk was fine at first glance but it was at an odd angle and the black spaces within the geometric shapes and the fact that the wall stopped just short of the high ceiling leaving a gap of blackness gave it a surreal floating quality.

My room, like the hotel lobby, was decorated with bright and bold colors with few natural or real elements. The wardrobe and desk were fake veneers resembling wood but were cold and unnatural to touch. If you Google digital pixel noise, you’ll know what the artwork looked like. The closet had amber tinted glass doors displaying two robes hanging side by side and facing out. The closet was backlit with orange lighting reminding me of a Stanley Kubrick film that to this day I wish I could unsee.

The room did have some fun technology for controlling the lights, window shades, tv and shower temperature but the room and other spaces in the hotel lacked calming elements. My stay at the hotel got me wondering about tech-centric design and spaces purposely designed to feel like you’ve entered a video game.

Maybe “tech-centric design” makes you think of something a little more futuristic like the office shown below. it’s the office of Chinese data center Cloud DCS, but it looks like something straight out of a science fiction movie. A large enclosed area that resembles an otherworldly spaceship sits in the middle of the area, and the design palette is comprised of plenty of white alongside cold toned blues and greens.

Cloud DNS futuristic office
From Archilovers: The office of Cloud DNS is incredibly futuristic

The problem with spaces like this office and my hotel room is that they tend to feel cold and sterile. If you’ve ever been in a space like these, you know what it’s like. On the surface, you may appreciate the intent but this style of design has consequences. These spaces can feel unnatural. Largely, this is a biological response. As humans, we instinctively respond well to natural environments. These tech-centric spaces cut off the natural environment, replacing daylight with harsh fluorescent lighting and swapping natural materials for untextured, manufactured materials.

Architectural theorist Nikos Salingaros told the Clarion Review that this sterile appearance comes from “the deliberate removal of certain mathematical qualities from man-made structures, namely those qualities that characterize living and natural forms.” Here, Salingaros is talking about natural patterns like fractals that are present in nature and have historically been present in architecture. Modern design often removes these patterns, creating abstract, less engaging buildings that don’t satisfy our need for nature.

Of course, technology isn’t bad, but these sterile spaces aren’t optimized for human occupants. Tech-centric design can be an interesting concept to explore, but hopefully not at the expense of cutting off humans from the natural world around them. Designers can tackle the challenge head-on using biophilia as their north star.

The Importance of Biophilia

Biophilic office space combines tech with nature
From Barbican: This biophilic office space seamlessly merges technology with nature

Biophilia is the simple concept that humans feel and perform best when they’re connected to nature. Over the last several years, the effects of biophilia on mood, productivity, and health have been extensively documented, and the benefits are hard to ignore. Biophilic design has been shown to increase productivity, reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and even facilitate collaboration and social interaction.

Consequently, architects and designers find when they design with biophilia as their guide, the result is better built environments. In all types of spaces, from corporate offices to local restaurants, the effects of biophilic design are effective. Experts agree that biophilia is an impactful means to achieve smart commercial design. Simply put, people positively respond, mentally, physically, and socially, in biophilic environments.

Many designers have also turned to biophilia to reinvigorate offices by adding some natural components to a sterile space. The idea here is to rethink existing tech-centric spaces and naturally incorporate biophilic elements. Instead of allowing technology to completely consume a space, designers are redesigning with biophilia in mind and anchoring the existing tech space in a more organic fashion.

How Designers Are Merging Nature and Technology

UK Green Building Council biophilic office with living wall
From Morgan Lovell: A living wall helps the UK Green Building Council’s office balance nature and technology

The UK Green Building Council’s office is an excellent example of this hybrid approach to design. Designed by Morgan Lovell, the office’s main area boasts a beautiful living wall comprised of over 1,500 plants. In addition to the living wall, there are plenty of plants mounted around the room, and there’s ample natural light. While the space hosts a computer lab full of technology, the additional wellness features make for a more welcoming lab.

Prescient’s Chicago office is an example of a space that uses wood to add an organic, warming design element. Designed by Perkins+Will, a firm that prioritizes green design, the high-tech global security firm’s office is a combination of contemporary design and biophilic components. Exposed ceilings, glass and steel are nicely paired with plenty of natural light, walnut furniture and reclaimed wood paneling to anchor the space in the natural world. The office feels contemporary and cutting edge, but it’s ultimately grounded in nature.

Prescient's Chicago Office
From The Architect’s Newspaper: Prescient’s Chicago office is techy but feels inviting and natural

Wood is a critical part of biophilic interior environments. Reclaimed wood, in particular, is an excellent green building material, and in many ways it contributes to better occupant wellness. Designing with organic materials like wood can easily transform an unnatural, sterile space into an oasis.

Jet.com’s Hoboken office is another example of how biophilic design can mesh perfectly with technology. Reclaimed Lost Coast Redwood paneling adds an organic touch with its worn, weathered barn wood character. The wood nicely complements the vibrant colors of the furnishings, but most importantly, it places nature at the heart of the space.

Jet.com's office uses reclaimed wood to create a tech-focused and natural work space
From TerraMai: Jet.com’s biophilic office uses reclaimed wood to create a tech-focused yet powerfully natural space

Conclusion

Technology will become more and more essential in the built environment but it should be integrated so it enhances the built environment. Spaces need to be designed such that they are humanistic at the core, and that means designing with a focus on wellness and nature. Humans are living beings. Being in the presence of plant life and weathered landscapes resonate and cognitively stimulate, thus reflecting those aspects in the built environment make sense to enhance building occupant productivity and well-being.

The History (and Future) of Office Design

Mid-20th Century open office design

Change is a vital part of architecture and design. As occupant needs change and morph, designers constantly reevaluate and redesign the built environment to meet those needs. This is especially evident in the workplace. Over the years, the workplace has undergone a dramatic transformation from a windowless room of cubicles to bright, inviting spaces that inspire and rejuvenate. In this article, let’s take a look at how office design has changed and where it’s headed.

The Open Office Revolution

If there’s a design style that has dominated the workplace for decades, it’s the open office. The open office was developed in the early to mid-20th century in an attempt to create more spacious offices. This layout revolutionized the workplace by removing walls and other borders, and it was meant to improve social interactions between workers, which would theoretically boost everything from productivity to idea generation. Other variations followed, such as Bürolandschaft, a German school of thought that literally translates to “office landscape,” that prioritized informal layouts.

On paper, the open office seems ideal, but in practice, the open office has had its fair share of challenges. When the design first became popular in the mid-1900s, it didn’t quite take the form architects had hoped. Instead of hubs of innovation, open plan offices consisted of long rows of desks packed to the brim with workers. There weren’t any gains in interaction, either; if anything, this early iteration of the open office more closely resembled a factory.

Mid-20th Century open office design

From the Electronic Engineering Journal: A vintage photograph of a mid-20th century open office

Throughout the 20th century, the open office continued to evolve, and while some of the initial issues were remedied, the design was still proven to be ineffective. Contemporary research from Harvard University looked at two Fortune 500 companies that switched to open office layout and found that workers spent 72 percent less time interacting face-to-face. Electronic communication shot up, but personal interaction decreased substantially. However, the open office was an important step in workplace design, and it led to the creation of what would be a hugely popular office design element: cubicles.

The Advent of Cubicles

Today, most people think of the cubicle as an outdated, old-fashioned relic of a past era. So it might be hard to believe that the cubicle was designed with the goal of empowering people. The cubicle was a response to the open office and claimed to solve some of its problems.

First, the cubicle brought privacy back into the office. Instead of working in tight spaces directly next to one another, workers could have spaces all their own. This also brought an aspect of personalization to the workplace.

Cubicle farm office environment 1980 & 1990
From WSJ: A typical “cubicle farm” office layout

Second, the cubicle was designed to optimize productivity. Cubicle inventor Robert Propst told Fortune that he envisioned an “Action Office” that provided varying desk levels and multiple workspaces. Like the open office plan, this was excellent in theory but failed in real life. The Action Office became the cubicle, which was much smaller and cheaper. Since the workforce was experiencing a surge of new workers, the cubicle was a perfect way for businesses to minimize costs.

1960's office of the future
From Wired: A promotional concept image for the Action Office from 1964

For decades, “cubicle farms” took over the workplace. The image of a windowless room stuffed with cubicles is now part of popular culture, and for many, it’s become the standard depiction of an office building. Unsurprisingly, cubicles also lower employee satisfaction and productivity. Even Propst himself was adamantly against the cubicle. In addition, since cubicles were made with materials that contained high concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), they made workers sick. Over time, it became clear that cubicles weren’t the answer, so designers looked for a better, healthier solution.

The Rise of the Biophilic Office

Today, occupant health in the built environment has become a top concern for architects and designers. The average American worker spends 90,000 hours at work throughout their lifetime, so it’s important to design the office to promote health and wellness. In addition, offices have historically been under optimized for human health. Cubicles aren’t the only parts of offices that make workers sick––many factors can detract from worker health and result in a condition such as Sick Building Syndrome (SBS).

This is where biophilic design comes in. This philosophy of placing nature at the center of a building’s design has gained attention for its numerous health benefits, including reduced stress and lowered blood pressure. For many designers, it’s the design approach of choice for any type of commercial environment. It works well with a variety of layouts, transcending any single design approach.

Material selection is a critical part of biophilic design. In the past, illnesses like SBS often occurred because of the toxic materials used in interior design. These high-VOC materials release chemicals like formaldehyde and other pollutants into the environment. Today, architects carefully handpick and source materials that contain little to no VOCs.

Reclaimed wood is a material that designers can reply on, and it offers unique biophilic benefits. Its rich appearance and vivid textures help to connect people with nature in a way that no other material can. Perhaps most importantly, it enhances occupant wellness. It relieves stress and encourages interaction, which makes it an ideal material for the workplace. And thanks to the zero to low-VOC products we use to finish our reclaimed wood, it won’t be making anyone sick.

HOK Architect's biophilic office
From TerraMai: HOK’s biophilic office helps workers stay happy and healthy

Biophilic design is often used to complement flexible workspaces. Unlike the open office or the cubicle farm, the flexible workplace is designed to be modular. Workers are able to modify their surroundings as they need, so at any given moment the same space could be used for a presentation, a solo work session, or a private meeting. Mobile furniture, adjustable surroundings, and multi-purpose furnishings help occupants get the most out of a flexible space. When biophilia is infused into a flexible workplace, it’s an ideal combination of form and function that is inspiring office design today.

Every business has specific needs, and of course budget, to consider when making office design decisions. Before latching onto a trendy (or dated) office concept, it is best to consider different worker needs and personality types. Part of the biophilic design process is polling occupants for their input. Some predict the end of the desk and chair and a trend toward all couches but according to Inc Magazine, “We are naturally territorial creatures with a need for categorization, rules and structure. We also like to have a place to put our stuff, even if it’s just some notepads and a coffee mug.”

Although remote work is becoming more common, it’s unlikely the office will disappear. Office design may be headed toward creating zones; a quiet zone with personal workstations; Collaboration/Social zone inclusive of casual open work areas, work hubs to accommodate small groups and cafe-like areas; and private offices and conference room suites. The zone concept accommodates different worker needs while still providing workers with a sense of place.

Conclusion

The modern office has come a long way since the open office plan of the 1950s. Rows of desks and cubicles have been traded for green building materials and inspiringly natural offices. Architects and designers are constantly innovating to make the office a better place to be. It’s a tall task to create a dynamic, collaborative workplace that addresses the many different working styles and situations while mitigating noise and other distractions. If done right, occupant productivity and worker happiness increase. A biophilic design approach is highly worthwhile when looking to foster a healthier office environment.

  • Go to page 1
  • Go to page 2
  • Go to page 3
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Go to page 6
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • Modern Classics: Unrivaled, Rift & Quartered White Oak
  • From the inside out: TerraMai’s new Exterior Panels
  • Clean, Modern Classic: American Black Walnut
  • TerraMai’s sustainable second life for aging orchard trees
  • Dive into the process behind TerraMai’s Water Reclaimed Wood

View All Posts >>

Contact Us

Footer

Products

  • Acoustic Panels
  • Modular Panels
  • Paneling
  • Flooring
  • Decking
  • Siding
  • Tabletops
  • Stair Treads
  • Specialty
  • Trim

Technical

  • Acclimation
  • Aesthetics
  • Capabilities
  • Capabilities Brochure
  • Care & Maintenance
  • CEU – Designing Healthier Spaces with Wood
  • Fire Ratings
  • Grades
  • Installation Guides
  • LEED
  • Panels Brochure
  • Sourcing
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Warranties

About

  • Team
  • Careers
  • Our Story
  • Blog
  • eCards
  • Sustainability

Contact

8400 Agate Rd,
White City, OR 97503
United States

800.220.9062

Contact Us

© 2023 · TerraMai