Surfaces Applied

Choosing a surface material for a project requires the evaluation of criteria beyond aesthetics.

Where is the project located geographically? Even common design sensibility varies regionally.

What are the environmental demands? Function must be taken into consideration when specifying surfacing.

Carefully chosen products, engineered for precise performance standards, can stretch design budgets significantly without compromising the objective.

GEOGRAPHICA

Although underlying trends transcend geographical boundaries, location influences design. In general, European markets tend to be more open minded to color, metallic finishes and abstract/ geometric designs. The North American market, particularly the United States, tends to have a more conservative design sensibility, though the expression of that varies substantially from region to region. Considering the audience and space limitations, this portion of the Surface Design Guide is geared toward the North American market.

European influence enters the United States via manufacturers who have counterparts on the continent, dedicated design professionals and the North Eastern Canadian (Quebec) market. Those styles are regionally tailored as they flow throughout North America. Overall, palettes tend to reflect the local environment. Darker colors are favored in colder areas. Throughout the southern states, pastels and lush colors are favored in the east, with dustier variations dominating the southwest. Both coasts are considered to be more fashionforward, though the east coast is more severe and the west coast more experimental.

RESIDENTIAL

Most Americans have morphed into consumers who place long-lasting value above cheap, disposable goods. This is in part due to tighter lending practices. To that end, they look for surfacing with traditional, strong neutrals, which can be easily accented throughout time to change the look of a room. “Modest luxe” describes that consumer who still desires nice things, but is wary of opulence. Style that lends itself to translucency and light is an underlying character of contemporary residential design. It is subdued, but optimistic and clean. For functional pieces, people seek storage solutions that look like furniture. Because the kitchen is the hub of the home, it is an area where people are willing to take a few risks and personalize their environment, particularly in terms of direction of woodgrain, color/metal accents and finishes. The use of textile and graphic designs on decorative foils/papers for interiors (closets, cabinets, drawers etc.) to create a secondary retro-look is also popular. Regardless of the room, consumers are sensitive to sustainability, and want to feel good about the products they purchase.

EDUCATION AND OFFICE

These areas are tied together because they are both heavily influenced by technology and require surfaces that can stand up to significant abuse. Modular furnishings that can be easily reconfigured are important. In both sectors there is a movement toward group efforts, but it is also necessary to provide people with areas where they can work uninterrupted. These environments tend toward sure value, rather then flair. Uncomplicated mild-tone wood and warm colors dominate. Surfaces need to cooperate with lighting and be non-competing with technology (computers, light boards, AV equipment etc.).

HEALTHCARE

Norman Rosenfeld FAIA, FACHA is principal of Norman Rosenfeld Architects. He has been designing hospitals for 40 years. In that time he has witnessed a huge change in surface materials, noting that they are now more design oriented. A contemporary objective for healthcare facilities is the enhanced patient experience. “Creating an environment that makes a patient feel like they are going into a facility that provides good healthcare, because someone cares about how the place appears and how it is maintained, is important,” says Rosenfeld. “Patients are apprehensive, and the appearance is the only evaluation a layman can make entering a facility.” This shows up across healthcare as a turn toward comforting, almost spa-like interiors.

“It is clear that the concern for infection is very high, so one must specify materials that are either innately infection proof or can be easily cleaned,“ says Rosenfeld. And those materials need to look good throughout their 10-15 year lifespan, or else the facility looks behind the times. Color palettes are classic and clean, avoiding trends in general, though white and woodgrains are increasingly popular choices. Because all surfaces, flooring, walls, corner guards, furnishings etc. need to be aseptic, seamless materials, such as 3-D laminates, and non-porous surfaces such as HPL and solid surface, perform well in healthcare environments.

“Lighting is another core issue,” says Rosenfeld. “One wants toprovide lighting appropriate to the task without blasting the area. And types of light that render the skin color accurately are important.” Rosenfeld also says that clients are regularly asking for LEED certification on projects.

HOSPITALITY AND ENTERTAINMENT

These market sectors promote a sense of welcome and comfort. They are charged with providing visitors with an “experience.” To accomplish this, designers of restaurants, coffee shops, theatres, venues and casinos are given more freedom of design themes and can employ more interesting material palettes. Contemporary graphic designs, as well as bright colors and specialty surfaces that impersonate other materials, such as Dackor’s embossed leather design, are all tools available to entice patrons into service-based businesses.

Specifying materials for high traffic areas requires special consideration for wear. The trend toward dimensionality also has a functional advantage of hiding scuff marks. Water- and scratch- resistant HPL, with décor paper or real wood veneer is the workhorse of horizontal surfaces. Decorative metals, TFM, traditional veneers and vinyl films are great options for vertical surfaces.

RETAIL

The areas of retail and store fixtures have experienced both design expansion and contraction within recent history. Darayus Kolah, architect and retail specialist for Brand + Allen Architects Inc. in Houston says, "I think under current conditions, innovation and budget are very important. Even the larger retailers, where we used to see that price was not an issue, even they are now very conscious about cutting costs.” Kolah would know, his firm designs stores for luxury retailers, such as Louis Vuitton and Gucci, as well as specialty stores like Fendi.

Although retail design is very fashion-conscious, the economic downturn hit the market hard and it is still recovering. “Right now we do not always use the materials we would like to use. We keep up on new materials and technology, but everything has to adhere to the budget and be abusive resistant.” Textured panels, HPL, glass, resin panels with inlays and metals are some of the popular choices for retail environments.

Store interiors work to find the balance between being attractive and unique, yet not competitive with the merchandise. “We do a lot with lighting, splitting the budget between the surface materials and lighting fixtures,” says Kolah. “You could do a design fairly inexpensively, but you can really make it sparkle if you have done your lighting properly. Both surface and light are important for the wow factor.” Higher end retail chains typically customize individual stores to fit the local character. Digitally printed designs are thriving in more midrange stores, where logos, unique patterns and large graphics are effective design elements, on floors and wall surfaces alike.

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

Architects and designers are charged with the task of staying just ahead of unfolding trends and right on top of material technology. Translating client and consumer values into projects that adhere to budget and performance guidelines require professionals to be artists and engineers. Fortunately, most suppliers share this burden. The surfacing industry, from manufacture through conception and application, shares a common goal: to unite materials, technology and design.