Design Process
Bespoke is our standard. We believe a manufacturer’s role in this industry is to provide architects and interior designers with the means to create a built environment that both responds to and is an extension of its local identity. We know materials can create spatial experiences, and therefore can create destinations. This is possible via contextual and purposeful design.
This is why we are unique in our design-first approach in our ability to offer custom finishes at an affordable price. We offer each designer the opportunity to create a unique, site-specific finish for no additional fee. Pattern, color, gloss, texture, and scale can all be subject to change or modification. We work closely with designers to see their vision become reality. Throughout the design process, we create physical samples for their review and approval. If it’s not perfect, we continue to adjust the design until it meets their specifications or design intent. We offer different 4 levels of design and customization for finishes.
Option 1: Select a Finish
With decades of design to reference, our current collections reflect worldwide traditions in modern modes. Often the simplest route to contextuality, they capture a range of historically relevant colors, gloss levels and textures. Select a finish from a current collection and specify it as-is, ready to use. When time is of the essence, these pre-designed finishes, most stocked in our current inventory, allow for shorter lead times.
Option 2: Redesign a Finish
Is one of our finishes too dark? Maybe too reflective? Maybe you want to remove or add texture? Take any existing finish from a current collection as a base and modify it, based on the needs of your site and materials to nearly any specification. Any finish you see on our website is fully customizable.
Option 3: Match a Finish
Match a finish to a physical sample or manuscript. Send us a physical sample of any material, even non-metals, to be matched for color, gloss, texture, pattern, or design. Our experts in design will craft your finish with your vision in mind.
Option 4: Design a Finish
Design a finish from scratch to match almost any specifications. Creating site-specific finishes is what we do. Tell us the vision of the material and watch it become reality. When working on a project driven finish, understanding the elements below is essential in creating a relevant and site-specific material:
1. COLOR
Is the color warm or cool? Is it monolithic or are there subtle highlights and accents of color? By using a multistep coating process, variations of colors, tones, and contrast are expected.
2. PATTERN
Is the grain subtle or strong? Will it be used on a large surface or a broken up wall or ceiling panel? Does the pattern come from the surface texture or underlying design?
3. SCALE
Will this be observed on an intimate level or from a distance? How will the finish move from panel to panel?
4. GLOSS & TEXTURE
Is the material meant to be more substantial – textured and diffuse – or dynamic – reflective and specular?
5. APPLICATION
Is the project exterior or interior? Is the panel horizontal or vertical?
Thinking about starting a custom design?
From Finish to Panel
Early on we understood that it’s often difficult and frustrating to solve complicated projects at a distance with one system. We are proud to offer the highest quality products and the best value by partnering with companies who care about quality, service, and sustainability.
We offer our own tested systems and we have developed an extensive network of peers to increase options, improve lead times, lower cost, and to allow virtually any interior or exterior panel system at the best possible pricing. Instead of offering inflexible systems with limited and expensive custom options, we put design first, meaning our clients truly determine the system based on price point and needs.
And when local fabrication is needed for LEED, to save cost on transportation, or to support a hometown shop, we will often sell flat sheets to support off site processes or prefabrication. In most areas of the USA we can partner with local fabricators and installers in the immediate locality of the project. These global networks and partnerships allow us to gain information, understand new capabilities and provide assets that in turn help us offer both tangible and intangible value every step of the way. We sell to installers, fabricators and specialty contractors in various industries: sheet metal, glazing, acoustic walls and ceilings, carpentry, and dry wall.
