September, 2010

Materials Pavilion Brings Education and Inspiration to Canada’s Design Community

“Where can I use this?” “Where can I get this?” “I didn’t know laminates could look so good. They’ve come such a long way!”

[Note: Look for 2011 Materials Pavilions at GlobalShop, NeoCon and IIDEX. Want to show your materials in the Pavilion? Click here.]

Architects, designers, and design students at IIDEX (Canada’s NeoCon) were hungry for information and inspiration, and the Material Intelligence Materials Pavilion delivered.

The Pavilion’s sponsored collection of TFM, 3-D laminates, HPL, veneers, and samples of texture and design concepts inspired IIDEX attendees to linger, learn, and chat. Solutions to many of the challenges they face, and ideas they have for taking their designs farther, hinge on smart use of materials.

“So many of the specifiers we talk to at these events are frustrated because they feel like their materials options are too limited,” says Kenn Busch, founder of Material Intelligence. “They say they can’t get the performance they need from materials with the designs they want, that the quality of some materials is too inconsistent from job to job…or they just can’t get the look they want within their clients’ budgets.

“When they see the materials in our Pavilion, it’s like they’re seeing laminates for the first time. They’re not expecting the range and quality of designs and woodgrains, and the great textures available now are a big surprise to them.”

 
 

The ability to get exact matches on several different types of surfaces is also news to designers, says Busch.

“While ‘value engineering’ has become a bit tired as a buzzword, it’s still a harsh reality for A&D specifiers. Being able to get cabinets and doors in TFM and 3DL that match the HPL on a transaction counter, for instance, can save a ton of money while getting exactly the design and durability they want on each surface. It’s truly a win-win-win.”

In addition to the Pavilion, Busch presented a CEU seminar during IIDEX, “Value Engineering Decorative Surfaces Without Compromise.”

The Materials Pavilion debuted at NeoCon Chicago last June. Organizers say they intend for it to become a regular fixture at major design shows across North America.