Case Studies

The Architects for WebMD, the New York City, web-based clearing house for health related topics was looking for something that could create excitement and maintain a modern linearity to the look. We showed them our range of Linear lines panels, but the LL4 with the Neopolitan core pattern stuck out. This panel incorporates a perpendicular, organic, woven, two-tone core with the linear lines of the surface grain. The effect is almost textile-like with a hardwood feel to it. It was just the contrast point needed in this modern but comfortable office setting.

Healthcare facilities are moving to a new philosophy to foster wellness by providing a natural feeling environment to promote patient healing. To achieve this goal Plyboo edge grain amber was selected to create a warm, soothing element in this contemporary design. Plyboo material was used as wall dividers, partitions and accents in the patient reception and seating areas. FSC and formaldehyde-free certified materials were selected to promote air quality and sustainable forestry. The panels were pre-stained and finished with Class-B coatings to achieve both the look and the fire rating required for this health facility

Healthcare facilities are moving to a new philosophy to foster wellness by providing a natural feeling environment to promote patient healing. To achieve this goal Plyboo edge grain amber was selected to create a warm, soothing element in the design. Plyboo was used extensively in the patient recovery rooms, waiting and reception areas as a wall treatment and for shelving and storage units. Durability, indoor air quality and sustainability were key factors in the selection of the material. FSC and Formaldehyde-free certification were also important contributors to this LEED Gold building.

When the architects for Amgen’s Munich campus were looking for a nature-based panel that had design interest, but could also lay flat on a wall as well as sustain a curve, they contacted Smith & Fong with the project. We had been developing this product some months earlier and were looking for an application to apply it too. DDock was the perfect design team to pull both the look and the overall design feel together. The results were a striking and one of a kind interior that was a hit with the ownership and the employees who work there.

Just completed, the Canmet Materials Technologies Laboratory in Hamilton, Ontario is a state-of-the-art metallurgical facility for Natural Resources Canada. In this design the architects and the laboratory have targeted LEED Platinum as well as the 2030 Challenge, putting this project in the vanguard of energy-efficient research facilities worldwide. Plyboo amber edge grain was used to create an acoustical wall cladding system with great visual appeal. FSC and soy-based, formaldehyde-free were specified to contribute to the IEQc4.4 and MRc7 LEED credits.

Genentech a South San Francisco, CA based BioTech industry leader was interested in creating a wall feature in the entrance to their offices that would energize the staff as they arrived in the mornings and would sooth and calm them as the day drew to an end. Quite a high calling for a wall feature, but the designers at Flad Architects went to work with the concept and came up with the Circadian Light Wall. The concept behind the light wall is that it would follow natural circadian body rhythms starting with brighter colors in the morning to energize like the sun and as the day passed calm and relax with deeper warmer tones like the evening sky. For the surface and structure of the wall our Plyboo Sound A1 panel in natural was used as the surface perforations allowed the light to pass through creating this wonderful light effect.

LEED® gold certification was the target for the Google offices in San Francisco. Plyboo edge grain amber plywood was the choice in the dining area for its durability as well as linear, warm feel. Applications included tabletops, seating and booth divider walls. FSC and formaldehyde-free where specified as it is a company-wide mandate and contributed to both the IEQc4.4 low emitting materials and Mrc7 Certified wood credits

The designers for Jasper’s head offices in Santa Clara, CA were looking for a material that they could us to both construct built-in cabinetry and seating as well as a material that they could make a statement with as a ceiling treatment. The architects contacted us and we talked about tonality as well as texture. The final decision was to use the Plyboo edge grain amber plywood for the build-ins and to go with our C9 Reveal pattern in Amber for the ceiling soffits in the conference room. The C9 panels ending up being an interesting juxtaposition to the otherwise linear-modern look of the space.

Aesthetics, sustainability and functionality were the key ingredients for the SalesForce.com offices in San Francisco. The designer chose Plyboo Neopolitan plywood to make a strong and energizing visual statement. The cabinets are sturdy and durable, constructed for heavy daily use. Meanwhile, the Neopolitan design creates a look that is simultaneously fun and sophisticated. Also, this plywood is formaldehyde-free and FSC-certified, supporting both healthy indoor air quality and sustainable forestry.

Bickertaff Health Delgado Alcosta, LLC a law firm in Austin, Texas specializing in government entities, chose durapalm !at grain plywood and palm woven paneling to create a rich, warm look for their o"ces and lobby area. The palm woven and !at grain palm plywood stay tonally the same in this installation as the woven aspect of the paneling gives contrast in texture creating added interest to this beautifully designed space.

Looking for a zen-like elegance for Cervantes/Geronimo offices in Denver, Colorado, Plyboo amber edge grain and Durapalm flat grain coconut palm plywoods were chosen. To keep with the contemporary feel, the panels were installed horizontally adding a clean, linearity to the space. Without breaking a line, the end grain amber moves from wall to door and back again. To contrast with the bamboo, palm was used to face the reception desk and for a little drama, the open stair case treads were also were fabricated from coconut palm.

Located in the Mission Bay District of San Francisco, this area was formerly home to warehouses, a cement factory and plenty of vacant lots. Now rapidly developing, this area has become home to biotechnology firms, university research centers, office buildings and residential development. For the wall treatments in the lobby area, flat grain amber bamboo plywood was used to clad wall surfaces. To give the panels more definition, the architects had a groove etched into the face of the panels at 6" intervals. Stainless steel horizontal reliefs were also integrated to create added interest and offer room for the panels to expand and contract as needed.

Occupying three stories of a high-rise in downtown Seattle, Washington, Moss Adams is one of the oldest and most respected accounting firms in the Pacific Northwest. For the design of its new offices a clean, contemporary look was needed. For a signature contrasting design element, Plyboo Neopolitan bamboo plywood was chosen. With its bright contrasting striations emulating the look of African zebrawood, Neopolitan was used extensively in the reception area, stairwells and hallways. If CPA work seems dull, visit the Moss Adams offices in Seattle. Your mind will change as soon as you step out of the elevator.

Palm is our most exotic and unique material offering and is an exclusive to Smith+ Fong. Newsome Law, a boutique legal firm in Florida was looking for something with a deep, rich feel to offset the contemporary design of their offices in Orlando . Deco palm paneling was used on the reception desk , wall hanging cabinets and as a wall treatment. Deco palm flooring was added to give additional dimension to the look.

The city of San Diego was looking for a striking and modern design for their new central library building to anchor the redevelopment of this South San Diego neighborhood. They found this in San Diego Architectural firm, Rob Quigley Architects. For the interiors, the designers at Rob Quigley were looking for an iconic natural material to offset the hard surface materials. Palm trees are everywhere in this summer beachside community so they chose Durapalm flooring and plywood to outfit 7 of the 9 floors. From the time you enter on the ground floor to the time when you reach the 9th floor, you cannot miss the rich warm glow from this one-of-a-kind material. From the art gallery and rare books section floors to the book stacks, display cases, stage podiums, media consoles, bookshelves and reading room tables, Durapalm graces them all. They achieved the local reference and iconic look they had set their sights on and created a truly beautiful public space for the citizens of San Diego.

Stantec Architecture was looking for an eye catching wall treatment in a natural material to offset the brick and other architectural elements in the lobby of their Boston, MA offices. They wanted to create a feature wall with both movement and some excitement. A variety of choices were narrowed down to our C5 Reveal panel in Amber with a Penafin Verde nature oil finish. The panels were mounted using our recommended Monarch wall cleating system. The effect hit the spot and Stantec was very pleased with the result.

As a key design element in the King Dormitory housing at Amherst College in Massachusetts, Plyboo edge grain natural plywood was used throughout the construction. Applications on this project included seating areas, workstations and cabinetry in each of the dormitory rooms. Amherst was an early adopter in the use and application of Plyboo bamboo plywood for educational environments.

LEED Platinum is in the design for the new Huang Engineering Center at Stanford University. In this ambitious project, Plyboo strand and flat grain amber plywood were used. In addition to applications as stair tread platforms and under sheathing to the stair case, bamboo plywood was used for wall treatments and cabinetry. Formaldehyde-free and FSC were important as contributors to this LEED platinum project.

It's not quite the Enterprise, but the theater at Syracuse University's Slocum Hall School of Architecture is equally out of this world. Fabricated by R.B. Woodcraft using our Plyboo edge grain amber plywood, this has to be the most stimulating classroom ever. Durable and dramatic, Plyboo Amber Edge Grain plywood covers ceilings and walls of the Slocum Hall of Architecture theatre. The cut circles help acoustics while providing a decorative component to the building.

Plyboo Natural flat grain flooring and Amber flat grain shelves and door frames make a welcome and fitting learning environment for the Sustainability Resource Center at the University of California, San Diego. Pictured here is a shot of one of the offices, now complete with Plyboo flat grain Natural flooring and flat grain Amber door frames.

Bamboo Cloud The new science building at the University of Alaska at Anchorage featured an extensive "cloud" ceiling made of Plyboo edge grain amber plywood, floating over the astronomy department's new planetarium drum. Pictured here is a full view of the massive drum. Plyboo edge grain amber plywood was also used for the benches underneath it!

University of Waterloo used Plyboo plywood veneer and flooring extensively throughout the school. Applications included Havana strand and edge grain amber plywood for wall systems. A first on this project was the use of Havana strand veneers in the construction of over 300 doors in this contemporary space. Havana strand flooring and custom stair treads featured prominently in the design.

After more than 25 years, Earth Island Institute, a non-profit incubator for startup non-profits has a permanent home and the David Brower Center is born. Brower, a vocal and lifelong advocate for the preservation of the environment and founder of the Ell now has a building befitting of his legacy. Located in the center of Berkeley, CA and built to meet LEED Platinum certification, the Brower Center utilizes the Plyboo amber edge grain for the entry area to the building and extensively in the theatre area where it was used on the walls for both a visual effect as well as part of an acoustic wall system. FSC and formaldehyde-free Plyboo were specified to contribute credits toward LEED Platinum certification.

Banq restaurant is located in the old Penny Savings Bank in Boston, abandon years earlier. The architects saw promise and a new life for this small, but sturdy structure. Designed with the customer in mind, one enters through the doublehung bronze doors to an elegant full bar. Then beyond the bar is the dining area, substantial in both size and design. Plyboo Neopolitan was used extensively on this project for the bar area, dining booths, seating and tabletops. Neopolitan flooring was also used to play against the wild ceiling structure.

Loft 610 Urban Restaurant & Lounge seeks to fill a dining and entertainment void for those who have left urban areas of major cities for the quality of life found in suburbs such as Plano, Frisco and McKinney. Twomey asserts, "Moving to the suburbs does not mean that you lose your need for an upscale, urban vibe, but consumers often must settle for a less fulfilling option that is closer to home - we want to change that.” “We wanted the space to feel like an old brick warehouse that was repurposed into a modern restaurant”, says Twomey. They accomplished that goal by featuring walls of reclaimed brick and coconut palm plywood, exposed steel structures and polished concrete floors.

In this one of a kind creation, the centerpiece of the space and the focal point of the design is the corner section of the countertop. To create this striking design pattern, multiple layers of natural and amber edge grain plywood were cut and laminated together. It was then carefully shaped and sanded to it finish polished appearance. Next the front panel inserts were fabricated from more edge grain amber plywood, but this time the face grain of the panels where exposed giving the design more room to breath. The upper cabinets where fabricated from durapalm, coconut palm plywood. Cut-outs where made for wine storage and the cut-out rounds where then used for drink coasters. A very imaginative and resourceful design indeed.

The warmth and beauty of Plyboo amber edge grain was chosen for this contemporary design, not only because of its good looks, but also for its green credentials. FSC bamboo plywood was used for the seating and tabletops as well as the counter tops and bar area. The fabricator utilized the single-ply bamboo plywood to create interesting edge decorative accents. The red brick pattern of the walls and the linearity of the bamboo edge grain played well together in this design.

We have worked on various hospitality projects with HBA for more than 15 years. Their design work and attention to detail has made working with HBA one of our most enjoyable relationships. When they wanted to discuss the Hilton Los Cabos project we were intreged. The project and the designs where multi-layered and for our part they were looking at our Linear and Reveal collections as well as some custom work. The project designers settled on the Linear #LL1, #LL3, #LL7 and Reveal #C11 The custom design work was used in the Club Lounge and is featured to the left and right wall surfaces of this space.

Bickertaff Health Delgado Alcosta, LLC a law firm in Austin, Texas specializing in government entities, chose durapalm !at grain plywood and palm woven paneling to create a rich, warm look for their o"ces and lobby area. The palm woven and !at grain palm plywood stay tonally the same in this installation as the woven aspect of the paneling gives contrast in texture creating added interest to this beautifully designed space.

The owners of Copper Station Properties deliberately linked their passion for nature with their appreciation of contemporary design. The design embodies an airy scheme that orients the space around the heart of the office boardroom making sure each employee has a "room with a view". The interior color scheme celebrates nature through forest-inspired colors. An emphasis on natural materials such as Coco Palm Flat Grain flooring completes the look with a flair of the exotic. The result is attractive and practical.

Palm is our most exotic and unique material offering and is an exclusive to Smith+ Fong. Newsome Law, a boutique legal firm in Florida was looking for something with a deep, rich feel to offset the contemporary design of their offices in Orlando . Deco palm paneling was used on the reception desk , wall hanging cabinets and as a wall treatment. Deco palm flooring was added to give additional dimension to the look.

Besides the obvious challenges in this completely custom curved ceiling installation, is the special light fixtures and air diffusior cut outs. Amber Edge Grain veneer was chosen because of its strength, flexibility and ease of handling.

The team at KUL Vans has been working with Plyboo bamboo panels for a few years now, and asked why bamboo has been so popular with their client base, they responded that, "The customer is just blown away when they see a well-executed bamboo interior in a van. I have provided other material options in the past, but the customer consistently selects bamboo as their preference.” Further adding, “There is generally an immediate, very positive reaction to a customer seeing Plyboo in a van interior.” As to workability of the Plyboo material, KUL expressed that they liked the consistency, the smooth sand and blemish free surface of the product. “I absolutely love the ease of using Plyboo throughout the fabrication and finishing process."

Atlas Vans has worked with a variety of wood panel products for their high-end adventure van interiors, but prefers Plyboo for its versatility, sustainability and quality. "The solid core is by far the best we’ve seen out there and find the quality reliable,” said Ryan O’Donnell of Atlas. On integrity and workability he said, "I love how honest you can be with this material,” as “we strive to make all our interior cabinets furniture grade.” In final thoughts, Ryan mused, “you learn to work with the materials you love.”

Designed and made by Olyver J. Nisch, Das Formbureau is made with Durapalm flat grain for the beautiful tabletop and Plyboo edge grain amber for the sturdy legs. Shown here is a close-up of the corner utilizing the unique cross core pattern of the 3 ply Amber Edge Grain, offering a textural contrast between the palm and bamboo grains.

You might think that electronic readers would be the bane of the bookbinding industry, but DODOcase is proving otherwise. The San Francisco company is creating sturdy, colorful cases for laptops, iPads, electronic readers and cell phones using traditional bookbinding methods. A DODOcase fuses the best of both worlds. For example, a Kindle cloaked in a DODOcase provides the convenience of an electronic reader with the old-world feel of a traditional book. Each DODOcase is handmade using as many local materials as possible. Plyboo, located in the same San Francisco neighborhood, provides sheets of solid vertical natural bamboo that are sawed and then hand-carved into a durable frame to hold your iPad, Galaxy or Kindle Fire. The laminated bamboo frame is very strong but lightweight. The natural color complements any color DODOcase you choose—or design through the DODOcase website. The founders of DODOcase were invited to the White House for an event to honor small business leaders, and President Obama was given a DODOcase which can be seen in this photo: http://huff.to/WHB1Rs But you certainly don’t have to be the Chief Executive to own one.

Brave Space Design in Brooklyn, NY uses Plyboo edge grain amber and natural plywood for their Third Round table great for keeping your things nearby but out of sight! Pictured here is a close-up of the beautifully eclectic mix of grain-patterns visible along the edges.

Who wouldn't want to rock out in this adorable rocking toy? "Kangaroo with Joey" is designed and constructed by Rocking Frog in Cary, NC, using Plyboo flat grain natural plywood and poplar dowels.

When looking for a beautiful, sustainable, and consistent material, wood artists Louise Hibbert and Douglas Finkel decided on Plyboo edge grain amber plywood to craft their Low Haeckel Cabinet. Copper line art over lovely panes of glass complete this cabinet's elegant look. Shown here is a close-up of the copper and glass design--a harmonious match for amber edge grain!

Partners desk mixes Plyboo Havana Strand, with a dark wax to protect the top surface, and Natural Edge Grain plywood to give this handsome desk real character. Harbor, its companion piece, utilizes the same Havana Strand and Natural Edge Grain exposing the cross core pattern along the edges for a unique look.

Warmth and light where what HOK architects and the St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center were looking for when they specified Plyboo amber flat grain bamboo plywood for this expansive reception and waiting area. Plyboo was used in both a horizontal and vertical direction to break up the long wall surfaces adding interest and intimacy to the space. The custom light fixtures fashioned from Plyboo bamboo veneer, emit an amber glow over the room as the center portion of the fixture provides the light.

This highly energy efficient and environmentally conscious private residence in Atlanta, GA, was designed and built by Concourse E, and uses Plyboo edge grain natural flooring as part of its creatively elegant design. The natural coloring of the floor pays a subtle complement to this beautifully lit living room and contrasting the dark cabinetry of the kitchen.

This Georgia-state home uses PlybooStrand Neapolitan flooring in a big, beautiful way, giving their decor that extra punch. The durability of our Neapolitan strand material can take the wear and tear of humans and canine alike which makes it a perfect solution in the high traffic area of this split level home.

A popular application for kitchens, Plyboo material works well for cabinetry and cabinet door applications. The Cipolla family chose both the amber edge and natural edge grain plywood to create shade contrast between the darker and light tones in the bamboo. By matching panels in the same color across doors and drawers a monolith tone was achieved in this application.

Located on a large and wooden site in North Carolina, this contemporary design home was build in collaboration with the people at Dwell Design. Havana strand flooring was used extensively throughout this installation and is a striking look with the modern furnishings. Havana strand flooring also works well with the indoor/outdoor design of this home, shown boarding the large, sliding glass doors. Havana as durable as it is good looking.

The building site on Moss Alley in San Francisco’s South of Market district did not offer abundant natural light opportunities, so the owners, architect and construction company worked together to create a warm and inviting interior space that used both available natural light as well as great interior lighting to bring the focus inward. To add both an edge and some excitement the ceiling was addressed as a key design element. Sections of the ceiling were exposed to show the inner workings of the structure of building. In other areas where they had a straight shot to the roof, they cut large air vent like skylights to bring in as much available light from above. They could have painted the ceilings white to reflect more light, but they went a different direction incorporating our A4 Sound panel in Amber and straying from a continuously flat ceiling added movement by creating different elevations to the substructure that added an undulating sensation to the visual. The result was a warm, inviting and architecturally exciting space.

Now Your Cooking! This beautifully designed kitchen features Natural Flat Grain as the star for the cabinetry.

Possibly the most imaginative design for a lobby entry is the One Jackson Square apartments in New York City. Manufactured of hundreds of plies of Plyboo, each panel was custom build and installed to create a sculpted, canyon effect. Wandering toward the elevator banks to the back, organic shaped shelves and seating areas appear along the undulating walls.

Rock Reach is one of the best examples of manufactured contemporary custom homes and represents a long journey from the early days of prefab home construction. For the interiors of this home flat grain amber plywood was used in the cabinetry and wall systems in the living room, dining room, bath and bedrooms. The traditional grain and structure of flat-pressed bamboo offers warmth and contrast to the contemporary lines of this home as well as its rugged desert setting

Bamboo Everywhere In this residence, Amber Edge Grain plywood was utilized for the ceilings, custom designed single stringer stair treads with beveled edges and all the flooring. The uniformity of ceiling, wall and floor brings warmth and consistency regardless of where the eye wanders. The consistent materials set off the other.

750 Second Street is just steps from world class restaurants, shopping & home of the San Francisco Giants. "We sought to relate the design of this contemporary residential building to the renovated historic warehouses which surround the site, carefully recalling the materials and details which give the South End Historic District its identity, while creating a fresh, sophisticated composition appropriate to life in 21st century San Francisco," said Bob Baum of Gould Evans Architects. Stiletto Eclipse was chosen for its durability and matte sheen finish. The brushed surface gives the appearance of aged or reclaimed wood evoking the feeling of former warehouse/dock lands area.

PlybooQuiet™ underlayment system paired with our new Stiletto click lock flooring makes loud visual statement while reducing sound transfer by half. Earning a 60 IIC rating with a drop ceiling , PlybooQuiet resolves noise abatement requirements in multi-story environments. Our Stiletto click lock flooring installs quickly and easily when floated over PlybooQuiet underlayment. Stiletto, our hardest floor available , holds a minimum 3500 psi Janka Ball rating making it perfect for high wear residential or commercial applications. Strength, beauty and a full palette of colors is proving Stiletto our most versatile flooring yet.

This wonderful retail space was a celebration of the various looks in strand bamboo products. Havana strand bamboo plywood was used on the exterior cladding as well as to the face of decorative support columns of this apparel retailer. Once inside the store, display areas, shelving and built-in cabinetry were fabricated with Plyboo Neopolitan strand plywood. Neopolitan strand flooring was also used to create a monolith tonal effect in the space. The design was then finished off with custom end grain bamboo veneer covered lighting.

The space was looking for of a durable flooring for high traffic areas. The flat grain Natural flooring and plywood was chosen for its durability and neutral color to help showcase Ralph Lauren’s bedding and textiles.

PlybooFit™ underlayment system is fit for retail by employees fit for work. The PlybooFit system helps relieve leg fatigue by providing an under cushion of comfort. Our new Stiletto click lock flooring installs quickly and easily with the PlybooQuiet underlayment. Stiletto, our hardest floor available, holds a 3500 psi Janka Ball rating making it perfect for high wear residential or commercial applications. Strength, beauty and a full palette of colors is proving Stiletto to be our most versatile flooring yet.

Te Cesan is a grand space with a sweeping circular staircase and prominent chandelier. A fitting showplace for a celebrated and essential item of clothing, the shoe. To support the design, Plyboo edge grain amber flooring was chosen for it rich color and durability under foot. Over the years, Plyboo edge grain flooring has been one of our most specified flooring looks for both commercial as well as residential environments.

Who wouldn't get in shape on this beautiful installation of a PlybooSport floating floor sport court. It is rated for high sport performance, has a beautiful continuous color-much more so than maple or birch and is easy to maintain. "The players love the cushion it gives when running and jumping. We haven't lost many games on our home court! Maybe it's because of the floor and not my coaching." - Coach Berry Former Basketball Pro - Chicago Bulls

Novo Construction opted to build this wonderful basketball court in the middle of their office space in Menlo Park, California. The idea was to give employees a place to unwind and workout after business hours.

The City of Dallas Parks and Recreation chose PlybooSport for their Singing Hills Recreation center. The installation was so successful, they decided to install bamboo in their other six centers. "PlybooSport has a consistent, appealing visual (brighter than maple), its formaldehyde free content pushes forward our mission to promote healthier lifestyles within the community, and the rapidly renewable properties of bamboo are well-aligned with the [city's] green initiatives." says Stefan Kesler, Project Manager, City of Dallas. Three other centers are now complete with the remainder scheduled for completion in 2013.

Who wouldn't get in shape on this beautiful installation of a PlybooSport floating floor sport court. It is rated for high sport performance, has a beautiful continuous color much more so than maple or birch and is easy to maintain. PlybooSport was also utilized in the fitness room with a PlybooFit™ sports underlayment system. PlybooFit helps alleviate friction stress that can prematurely tire active legs.

PlybooFit™ underlayment system is a great fit for fitness centers, recreational centers and yoga studios. The 95% recycled underlayment padding helps with shock absorption lessening the impact on ankle, knee and hip joints. Our new Stiletto click lock flooring installs quickly and easily with the PlybooFit underlayment. Stiletto, our hardest floor available, holds a 3500 psi Janka Ball rating making it perfect for high wear fitness applications. Strength, beauty and a full palette of colors is proving Stiletto to be our most versatile flooring product yet.